Pharynx has always been a capable and fearsome fighter, one of the best in the hive. It came as no surprise to anyone that he should become First Commander after the previous one’s death in battle. He has succeeded in every task and every mission given to him, except for one: to turn his soft-hearted brother into a warrior too. Correcting that one blemish in an otherwise spotless career would undoubtedly prove his devotion to the hive and its Queen. But upon Thorax’s sudden departure, having been given the unenviable task of damage control, Pharynx is left questioning his lifelong conviction and must decide where his loyalties lie.

I know it says above that this is a sequel to Walk Where There Is No Path, but it’s actually more of a midquel to that and Winds of Change, and familiarity with the said stories isn’t a requirement to understand what’s going on. I recommend that you read them anyway if you haven’t already, but you don’t have to do it before reading this.