This is the story of Pham Nuwen, a small cog in the interstellar trading fleet of the Queng Ho, and a cast of thousands set across hundreds of years and in the farthest reaches of Human Space. Both the Queng Ho and the Emergents are orbiting Arachna, a dormant planet which will shortly wake up when its On/Off star relights after decades of darkness. Both groups hope to exploit the coming age of technology and commerce on Arachna.

But while the Queng Ho seek only to trade aggressively, the Emergents' plans are far more sinister, amounting to little short of genocide . . .

Prequel to 'A Fire Upon The Deep', winner of the Hugo-Award.