From the back cover of the DAW first edition: "A time of prophecy... A world in torment... Darkath, a solitary planet orbiting a red giant, and circled in turn by a single titanic moon. A desert world in a nearly constant geological upheaval, Darkath is also on the brink of devastating social turmoil. Farthest outpost of the slowly failing Terran Empire, it is populated by two opposed native tribes, the Dhirn, worshipers of a goddess who embodies their very planet, and Khaj, warlike sun worshipers. For as long as Dhirn and Khaj have remained enemies, the Terran outpost has ruled over both. But now the moment has come when the two people may be able to change the destiny of world and empire. Martin Cain, a free-lance Terran holofax newscaster in search of a story, a place, and a people to restore meaning to his life. And Hara, a Khaj warrior woman with a vision which could fulfill an ancient prophecy, uniting both Dhirn and Khij against Terrans who have dominated their world for a hundred years."
