The Fall of Mahkinoc: Volume I of the Shadowed of Gilead Book

The Oversoul, a computer built by humans escaping the destruction of Earth's ability to support life, has been guiding human evolution over the last 40 billion years to better be able to communicate with it and calm their destructive tendencies. Now the Keeper of Earth is calling that it is time to recolonize Earth. A group of 16 colonists has been selected by the Oversoul for being the top of its selective evolutionary process, but that does not mean that they are inclined to work together or even for the Oversoul's goals.

There where a bunch of ideas here that you could really go on about in some length. One of them that could provide some particularly interesting conversation is the change from the characters living in a serial monogamous matriarchal culture to that of a permanent monogamous patriarchal one. Although the author does not present either matriarchal or patriarchal systems as superior, he does seem to have strong feelings about monogamy and homosexuality.

I actually managed to read this book all the way to the last page without realizing that it was the 3rd book in the Homecoming Series. Card leaves no gaps though, and it is perfectly readable without feeling that you are missing anything.