What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

This topic is about
The Sparrow
SOLVED: Adult Fiction
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SOLVED-Astronauts land on a planet out of our solar system. There are two major humanoid lifeforms. [s]
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I read this book in/around 2005-2006. Due to a futuristic setting, I have no clue as to when it was written. I am fairly sure it had a sequel or was the first in a series of three.
I borrowed it from a friend, and they have since sold/donated it.
Astronauts land on a planet out of our solar system.
There are two major humanoid lifeforms. One seems to be the in upper class, with a kindly caretaker type attitude towards the more innocent and meeker and takes a subservient attitude/role. The astronauts are treated like a guest of the first race.
***SPOILER BELOW THIS POINT.****
They come to find out that the first race actually consumes the second. Unsure if this next part is actually from th book, or made up in my memory: the first race hunts and corrals the second. The second race sees it as their predefined role.
Thanks for any/all help. I am dying to remember and perhaps re-read.