A Woman of the Iron People

This science fiction novel won the James Tiptree Jr. Award. It follows Lixia and her human crew as they explore a planet orbiting Sigma Draconis, committed to avoiding disruption to the alien life there. However, factions aboard the mother ship above the planet threaten to create unintended chaos for both the planetary inhabitants and the ground team. As tensions escalate on the ship, the crew on the surface becomes increasingly affected by the conflict and must rely on instinct to sustain their mission. Lixia pursues expanded knowledge despite mounting dangers. The novel examines the encounter between humans and aliens, exploring the simultaneous potential for mutual enrichment and mutual destruction, with attention to the mix of fear and fascination that such contact generates.