Assigned as secondary linguist to a first contact expedition, Toni is expected to unravel the secrets of the new species “women’s language”. Her job proves harder than expected: she doesn’t just have to overcome the differences between and within both cultures, but also the opposition and sabotage of the lead linguist, all in a language she does not speak and is not allowed to learn.

With an intelligent, likeable, female, lead, who uses that intelligence, a baffling mystery and a well-developed and complex alien culture, this short story held me spellbound from start to finish. Then I turned to the front page and read it again.

This is the first time in forty years I have found a modern sci-fi writer I would put up there with Simak and Tiptree. The author has managed to create a perfect blend of lit fic and sci-fi, and the result is a joy to read.

Absolutely incredible, five stars.