The Wasteland Known as the Empire of Teikskalaan

The Hugo Award for Best Novel. The Locus Award for Best SF Novel. Finalist for the Nebula, DragonCon, Arthur C. Clarke, Goodreads, and the British Science Fiction Association Awards. Book of the Year according to Publishers Weekly, Bookpage, and Amazon.com. An alien armada appears at the edge of the Teikskalaan space empire. The commander of the imperial fleet desperately tries to establish diplomatic relations with the superior forces of the invaders. Now, Mahit Dzmare faces an impossible task – to start communication with a hostile being. Her failure guarantees millions of deaths in an endless war. And success will prevent the disintegration of Teikskalaan and ensure the continuation of predatory imperial expansion. Or something altogether unimaginable will be created. Martin weaves a dramatic and tense story about political intrigue and first contact with aliens... every character is drawn in the finest detail. — Booklist A dizzying, thrilling tale of diplomacy, conspiracy, and first contact, awarded the Hugo... This complex and stunning space opera promises to change the genre. — Publishers Weekly