War Master's Gate by Adrian Tchaikovsky
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Hold on to your hats, folks, because the Insect-tropolis is buzzing with action in War Master's Gate, the ninth installment of Adrian Tchaikovsky's epic series, Shadows of the Apt. If you thought ants organizing a picnic was impressive, then boy are you in for a treat.
Remember Stenwold Maker, the bug with a plan? He's still trying to keep the skies clear with his aviator crew. But the Wasp Empire (think: hornets with attitude and medieval armor) is back with a vengeance, and their Empress has got her stinger set on world domination. There's just one teeny, tiny issue: they've built something that goes boom and flies. Yes, dear reader, bug vs. bug aerial combat is upon us.
Meanwhile, let's not forget about the mystical Empress Seda, who's scurrying around an ancient forest, trying to find some magical relics. It's like an episode of Ant-iques Roadshow gone wrong. Our heroine, Cheerwell Maker, decides that enough is enough, and she's going to put an end to Seda's creepy crawly shenanigans. But wait, there's a twist. Their drama could unleash a much bigger can of mystical worms.
The action is like a beetle on an espresso binge, making its way through the trees of intrigue, the shrubs of suspense, and the occasional mud puddle of drama. Don't get too attached to any of the six-legged characters though, because the mortality rate here is higher than a moth's love for lamp.
But wait, there's more. Tucked away in the back of this bug-filled bonanza is a bonus short story. It's like finding an extra French fry at the bottom of the bag, and it's just as tasty.
So, if you're ready for a kaleidoscope of critters clashing in cataclysmic combat, War Master's Gate is your one-stop shop for epic insect adventure. Just remember to keep your bug spray handy.