Cat's Gambit — Leslie Gadallah

Book 2 of The Empire of Kaz, Leslie Gadallah's fascinating alien political intrigue.

Orian has been overrun by the Kaz, who are bent on exterminating the Oriani. A few Oriani have escaped and struggle to eke out an existence on alien worlds. Ayyah thinks she has found a way to get them back home where they can thrive. She recruits a couple of human pirates and a few Lleveci warriors to aid her in the task, but no one involved knew how much her scheme would cost.