A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

 

Mahit Dzmare is young but has been chosen as the new ambassador from Lsel to the empire capital, Teixcalaan.  The current ambassador stopped communicating with Lsel several months ago and Mahit's first job is to determine why.  When she arrives she discovers immediately that he is dead, perhaps murdered.  

This is a dangerous time to have arrived on Teixcalaan.  The Emperor is aging and it is clear he is not healthy.  What will happen to the Empire when he passes on?  There is a group of advisors and a ninety percent clone who will rule then but the clone is only ten and the advisors are all maneuvering already to have the most power.

Soon Mahit finds herself drawn into the politics of her new assignment.  She is given an aide, Three Seaglass, to explain what is occurring and help her.  But Mahit is the victim of sabotage and soon finds herself caught up in a revolution, imprisonment and people trying their best to manipulate her.  Her space station has developed technology that the Teixcalaans desire for themselves and then there is the horde of aliens threatening the entire empire. Can such a young ambassador find her way to a resolution?

This is a debut novel that was an amazing success.  Along with other accolades, it won the 2020 Hugo Award For Best Novel and is the first in the Teixcalaan series.  The novel is full of apt characterizations, political intrigue, a hint of romance and layers upon layers of deceit and spying.  This book is recommended for science fiction readers.