Palmer's second installment in Terra Ignota holds nothing back, as the illusion we had of an perfect peace hard fought despite the flaws of humanity is ripped away to reveal the deep corruption rooted at the heart of the globe's political system. Despite the dystopia that is revealed to be the world of Terra Ignota, this story will have you both hopeful and sad, angry and jubilous. You will in fact experience the seven surrenders set up by Too Like the Lightning, and you will understand why they were necessary. The true players at the Hive game are revealed, and the heroes and martyrs will line up for you to judge them by the time you close the book.