The Language of Liars

Hugo award winner Huang (The Water Outlaws) stuns in this philosophical sci-fi exploration of linguistics and lost civilizations. It stars four-legged, four-stomached, two-hearted, and fur-covered alien Ro, affectionately nicknamed a “cheerful disaster” by the elders in Orro. Ro desperately wants to be the first Linguist in generations to make a jump—that is, take over the mind and body of another being, a Star Eater, on a spy mission that would also serve as a “one-way trip” away from his home hive. Star Eaters are one of the least known but most essential species in the galaxy, as they can sense and harvest the meridian element that allows for faster-than-light travel. Unfortunately, they are dying out, unable or perhaps unwilling to reproduce. When Ro manages to take over the body of a Star Eater (much to the shock and annoyance of his superiors), the nefarious history of these jumps comes to light, causing Ro to question all the received wisdom about both the Star Eaters and Ro’s own species. Huang manages to make completely alien ways of understanding and complex ideas about language, culture, and hegemony easy to follow while providing a fascinating linguistic puzzle that will entice hard sci-fi fans and literary scholars alike. This packs an impressive punch. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh. (Apr.)