Description

A New York Times and USA Today bestseller, this stunning space opera from the bestselling author of *The Expanse* plunges humanity into a battle for survival against a force as ancient as the universe itself.

“Masterful… This is space opera at its best.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The start of something truly epic.” — Fonda Lee, author of *Jade City*

The origins of humanity’s arrival on the planet Anjiin are lost to time, but its future is now at stake. The Carryx—an empire that operates like a hive—have spent centuries conquering and enslaving civilizations across the galaxy. But now, they face an enemy unlike any before, one that threatens their very existence. Their only hope may lie with the humans of Anjiin.

Dafyd Alkhor never imagined he would play a role in history. As an assistant to a brilliant scientist, he is content with academic research and personal pursuits. But when the Carryx invade, they devastate Anjiin’s population and abduct its brightest minds—Dafyd included—transporting them to the Carryx homeworld. There, the captives are forced into a brutal competition against other enslaved species, with extinction as the cost of failure.

While many focus only on immediate survival, Dafyd and a small group recognize a deeper strategy at play. To endure, they must understand—and ultimately manipulate—the Carryx themselves. Caught between a doomed human resistance and deadly alien rivals, they make unimaginable sacrifices to gain their captors’ trust.

Once an unremarkable scholar, Dafyd will become both the protector and betrayer of his people, the savior of humanity and its most reviled traitor. His journey begins here.

“Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre.” — Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of *Children of Time*
“A thrilling read. I want more.” — Paolo Bacigalupi, author of *The Water Knife*
“A powerful, thought-provoking masterpiece that will stay with me for a long time.” — Ryka Aoki, author of *Light from Uncommon Stars*