Taro lives in the floating city of Khesh with his aunt Malia who is a government authorized killer known as an Angel. Angels carry out state approved public assassinations which form the basis of the unusual system of democracy in Khesh.
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When the Angel Malia is brutally murdered Taro has to flee and falls in with a gang of thieves, petty criminals and prostitutes living under the city in a zone called the Undertow. As he tries to find out what happened to his aunt he becomes entangled with the Minister, a powerful politician who hires him to spy on another Angel named Nual. Taro attempts to satisfy both of his dangerous employers while also investigating his aunt's death.
Meanwhile the offworlder Elarn Ree visits the city, ostensibly to perform as a singer but actually on a secret mission. Against her will, she is working for the Sidhe, aliens long believed dead and longstanding enemies of humans. Ree becomes romantically involved with a politician at risk of assassination while also pursuing her hidden goals without revealing herself as anything more than a singer.
Eventually Taro's investigation and Ree's quest cross paths and they both find themselves in terrible danger.
Best part of story, including ending:
The Undertow was wonderfully described, a whole underground society living in the mechanisms that keep the city floating.
Best scene in story:
The final reveal of the secret of Khesh is quite interesting and makes you want to know more about the world the book is set in.
Opinion about the main character:
He's a bit generic unfortunately, a young man with a chip on his shoulder.
