In order to fully appreciate the story this book contains, you really need to read the previous books in the Shonak Series.
That book introduces Bon of Shonak, who you will read more of in the follo.
The Shonakians are a simple, placid people but so different from us that a great deal of background is provided in the first book, The Crown of Happenstance.
There you will learn about this very different race of people on an alternate Earth and their complex relationship with the people of Earth.
In order to fully appreciate the story this book contains, you really need to read the previous books in the Shonak Series