Description

The Oankali, traveling galactic gene traders, have recognized the human species as a genetic misdevelopment and as a danger to the development of life in the cosmos and have taken away their ability to reproduce. The first "Constructed," genetic hybrids of Oankali and humans, try to mediate, but in vain. Although the situation of the earthlings is desperate and the remnants of their civilization threaten to sink into barbarism, they cling to their hatred of strangers and interpret their paranoia as patriotism and bravery. Then Jodahs appears, the first constructed Ooloi, a hybrid of Oankali and human, who as a genderless being has the gift of gene healing. Because of his ancestry, he has a human-like appearance, and he is more likely to gain the trust of the earthlings and help them overcome their aversion to strangers. And through his Oankali heritage, biologically trained over millions of years, he uses the strongest weapon in the universe: sexual attraction.