The Quantum Rose

Book 6 in the Saga of the Skolian Empire

The Quantum Rose tells the story of Kamoj Argali, the young ruler of an impoverished province on a backward planet. To keep her people from starving, she agrees to marry Jax Ironbridge, ruler of the prosperous neighboring province. Then a mysterious stranger from a distant planet appears—a man who always keeps his face covered. When he marries Kamoj himself, he throws her world into chaos.

This science fictional retelling of Beauty and the Beast won the 2001 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 2001 Affaire de Coeur Award for Best Science Fiction.