First published 2023
Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives at the heart of the Teixcalaanli Empire to discover her predecessor has died under suspicious circumstances. No one admits the former ambassador's death was murder, but political instability grips the imperial court. Mahit must identify the killer while navigating a seductive alien culture that threatens to consume her identity. She carries a technological secret that could doom her mining station or save it from the empire's relentless expansion. In the sequel, an alien armada appears at the empire's borders. Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus cannot communicate with or destroy the mysterious invaders. She calls upon Mahit and diplomat Three Seagrass to attempt contact with the hostile force. The two envoys face an impossible diplomatic mission while still recovering from the empire's recent upheaval. Their failure means endless war and millions of deaths. Success might prevent Teixcalaan's destruction but allow its continued expansion, or create something entirely unexpected.
Genres: science-fiction, fantasy, space-opera, political-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Teixcalaanli Empire, Mining Station
Period: Future
987 pages · Kindle Edition · Tor Books
Content warnings: violence