Holy Ground Trilogy Series by Judith Moffett

In the early years of the twenty-first century, Earth teetered on the brink of ecological destruction. Then the alien Hefn came, determined to save the dying Earth -- and to the Hefn, the ends always justified the means. Humans were given nine years to correct their mistakes -- alone, with no recourse to the Hefn's advanced technology. If by then the Earth's ecology had not stabilized, the Hefn would solve the problem for good . . . by eliminating humans entirely... moreIn the early years of the twenty-first century, Earth teetered on the brink of ecological destruction. Then the alien Hefn came, determined to save the dying Earth -- and to the Hefn, the ends always justified the means. Humans were given nine years to correct their mistakes -- alone, with no recourse to the Hefn's advanced technology. If by then the Earth's ecology had not stabilized, the Hefn would solve the problem for good . . . by eliminating humans entirely.But slowly, against their will, some of the Hefn became deeply involved with their human counterparts. And to the handful of people who came to know them, the Hefn made a great difference: as mentors, researchers, rulers . . . and saviors. But could those few friendships sway the Hefn to help save a despoiled planet -- and the human race?"A considerable achievement." -- The New York Times Book Review less

After the critical and popular success of The Ragged World, Judith Moffett returns to the future with this moving tale of the Hefn occupation of Earth and how it affects the planet's native humans - two in particular: Pam Pruitt, a talented young woman from Kentucky, and Liam O'Hara, whose unique friendship with the Hefn Humphrey saved his life... moreAfter the critical and popular success of The Ragged World, Judith Moffett returns to the future with this moving tale of the Hefn occupation of Earth and how it affects the planet's native humans - two in particular: Pam Pruitt, a talented young woman from Kentucky, and Liam O'Hara, whose unique friendship with the Hefn Humphrey saved his life. The two teens journey to a special place in remote Kentucky, Hurt Hollow, where the painter Orrin Hubbell and his wife, Hannah, found a way to live in peace with the planet during the twentieth century. The prospects of living peacefully seem distant for Pam and Liam, both of whom must find peace with themselves as well as with the Hefn Directive. The marvelous events that befall them en route to Kentucky and in the Hollow itself beautifully depict the subtle ways in which the world shapes them, and the stunning ways in which they change the world. Time, Like an Ever-Rolling Stream is a remarkable, many-splendored novel by a writer adept at portraying the events of the future and the frailties of the heart. less