House of Reeds — Thomas Harlan

Xenoarcheologist Gretchen Anderssen had hoped to enjoy a well-earned vacation. She hadn't seen her home-world or her children for many months. But the Company has other plans for her--when she checks in for her transport, she finds new orders for her team. It looks like only a small diversion--a quick trip to the Planet Jagen, to investigate reports of a possible First Sun artifact. She doesn't have to run an excavation, or even gain possession of the artifact. Just file a report. But it smells bad, says Gretchen's Hesht companion, Magdalena. David Parker, the Company pilot assigned to Anderssen's analysis team agrees. And they are so right.

Jagan is very dangerous territory indeed. Because, unbeknownst to anyone at the Company, the Imperial Mexican Priesthood has decided to wage a war on Jagan--a war not of conquest or defense, but a "flowery war", planned and fomented for the purpose of blooding the Emperor's youngest son. Gretchen and her team are headed right into the middle of the battle.

It may be a War of Flowers, but many people will die, and blood will flow in the streets.