Hughes has been called "Canada's finest writer of science fiction for children" by critic Sarah Ellis. Ellis goes on to say: "There is a gentleness to her books that is rare in science fiction. The hairsbreadth escapes, the exotic flora and fauna,. . . the villains and the heroes—all are enclosed in one overriding concern, subtle but ever-present: the value of kindness. This theme seems rather a nonrobust one for science fiction.

But Hughes manages to clothe the homey quality in flesh and blood . . . to give it strength and resilience."

The work of Hughes, like most science fiction, is international in its scope. She deals with global issues, but gives them substance in a way that makes them immediate and connects the personal with the political; the best example of this is how Hughes links the environmental theme of Sandwriter with the theme of Antia's loyalty...