CONTENT NOTIFICATIONS
Violence: Genocide
The Language of Liars
By S. L. Huang
Edition
By S. L. Huang
Hardcover edition
Publisher Macmillan Imprint Tordotcom ISBN9781250405333
The Language of Liars
26.73
SKU
9781250405333J
Babel meets Arrival with spies in Hugo Award-winning author S. L. Huang's sharp and poignant space fantasy adventure with language-based magic.
"Pitch-perfect science fiction about linguistics and consequences. This book destroyed me."—Yoon Ha Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Ninefox Gambit
A New Scientist Best of 2026 Pick and a Most Anticipated Pick for Literary Hub - Book Riot - Shelf Reflection
Speak another people's language. Know them. Become them.
And discover you've destroyed them.
In his training as a spy, Ro was warned: you will always be living a lie.
Jumping into a Star Eater's mind in the first place requires a moment of perfect psychic connection, and he has studied all his life to comprehend their species. Admires them, respects them, is reverent at the idea of being one of them—the only species physiologically capable of mining the element needed for lightyear-spanning space travel. The species all others crave to know more of, but who have notoriously shared so very little. The species Ro's own small civilization, with its dwindling resources and withering reach, needs to know more about.
It will feel real, his elders impressed upon him. It will never be real.
But Ro's certainty runs deep: he will be different. Ro will not be an imposter hiding the truth of his past, because his heart will be one of them. He will be one of them.
To understand is to become. It never occurs to him that the mere act of understanding can destroy.
"Pitch-perfect science fiction about linguistics and consequences. This book destroyed me."—Yoon Ha Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Ninefox Gambit
A New Scientist Best of 2026 Pick and a Most Anticipated Pick for Literary Hub - Book Riot - Shelf Reflection
Speak another people's language. Know them. Become them.
And discover you've destroyed them.
In his training as a spy, Ro was warned: you will always be living a lie.
Jumping into a Star Eater's mind in the first place requires a moment of perfect psychic connection, and he has studied all his life to comprehend their species. Admires them, respects them, is reverent at the idea of being one of them—the only species physiologically capable of mining the element needed for lightyear-spanning space travel. The species all others crave to know more of, but who have notoriously shared so very little. The species Ro's own small civilization, with its dwindling resources and withering reach, needs to know more about.
It will feel real, his elders impressed upon him. It will never be real.
But Ro's certainty runs deep: he will be different. Ro will not be an imposter hiding the truth of his past, because his heart will be one of them. He will be one of them.
To understand is to become. It never occurs to him that the mere act of understanding can destroy.
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K Standard MARC Records Cover Art |
Adult Genre Fiction for Teens Plus (Grades 11 & Up)
Adult Genre Fiction for Teens Plus (Grades 11 & Up
Adult Genre Fiction for Teens Plus (Grades 11 & Up)
For Grades 11 & Up
This collection features 14 adult genre fiction titles per year selected for strong appeal to older teens. Selections emphasize immersive worlds, high-concept ideas, and momentum-driven plots across fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, and genre-blending fiction. Some selections may explore identity, relationships, and real-world challenges, including LGBTQIA+ themes, strong language, social issues, and sensitive topics such as sexual abuse and suicide.
14 books per Year
$406.00 per Year
Interests
Fantasy, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Speculative Fiction
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