Catalyst

This psychologically complex science-fiction novel focuses on a sensitive adolescent making the difficult transition from childhood into adolescent sexuality and adult society. Set in the distant future, on a planet dominated by an uncontrollable ruling class, this story of a boy who, while fleeing a bullying classmate, makes first contact with a race of aliens who live beneath the surface of his planet, explores such subjects as the dynamics of dysfunctional families and human society's greed-based political system. With accompanying eerie psychological undercurrents this novel tells an emotionally compelling and surprisingly sensual story.

Nina Kiriki Hoffman is the bestselling author of  A Fistful of Sky, A Red Heart of Memories, A Stir of Bones, Past the Size of Dreaming, The Silent Strength of Stones, The Thread That Binds the Bones, and Time Travelers, Ghosts, and Other Visitors. She lives in Eugene, Oregon.