Empire In Black And Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky

 

The Lowlands country has lived in peace for many years.  It welcomes all, beetles, ants, moths, praying mantises and other insects.  But now Stenwold Maker, a diplomat and spymaster, sees signs that what he has feared in about to take place.  An empire from far away has created a huge army and is marching towards the Lowlands, conquering everything in its path.

Stenwold sends a group out to spy out the plans of the Wasps in black and gold.  He sends his right-hand man who is a half blood, his foster daughter who doesn't know the truth about her birth, the mantis who is one of his oldest friends and the moth who almost never talks.  They meet up with Stenwold's network in another city and battle the Wasps there.  Can they defeat them and save their nation?

Adrian Tchaikovsky is known for his work in the science fiction and fantasy genre.  This is the first book in the Shadows Of The Apt series which is composed of ten novels.  Much of this work is world building and introducing the reader to the array of characters.  These characters are not actual insects but humans in groups associated with various insects and having some of the insect's powers.  It is also a clash not only between the peaceful countries and the Wasps who want to build an empire but between the older weapons of the other insect clans and the new weapons and machinery of the Wasps.  This first entry is suspenseful and mysterious and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.  This novel is recommended for science fiction readers.