Again, the cover is by Romas and it's with the Rowan's daughter, and not even the eldests but the youngest child. I'm the baby in my family and this story struck me harder than I thought it would.
Look at Afra, the man in the starry background. He is the family friend and will become VERY important to events in the story.
The red panda that sits with Damia on her throne (all the head psychics who help with communications across the galaxy have their special seats/thrones). This is very much a science fiction story with elements of the epic fantasy.
Yes, Anne McCaffrey's books may be dated and some elements not so polite, but her books have heart, wonder, and the ability to inspire. And that's what speculative fiction should be about.
