An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can destroy it, and Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus is running out of options.

In a desperate attempt at diplomacy with the mysterious invaders, the fleet captain has sent for a diplomatic envoy. Now Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass — still reeling from the recent upheaval in the Empire — face the impossible task of trying to communicate with a hostile entity.

Their failure will guarantee millions of deaths in an endless war. Their success might prevent Teixcalaan's destruction — and allow the empire to continue its rapacious expansion.

Or it might create something far stranger. (From Tor Books)

Arkady Martine is a sci-fi, fantasy and horror author and historian. Her other books include A Memory Called Empire, which won the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel.