"Set five thousand years in the future, Dryland's end takes place in a fabulous techno-empire ruled by intelligent, powerful women. While the Matriarchy has ruled for over two thousand years, and altered human language, thought and society, it is now unraveling. Military rivalries, religious fanaticism and economic competition threaten to destroy the empire from within, just as a fierce rebellion also threatens human existence throughout the galaxy. "--P. [4] of cover.