The leaders of Hive nations—nations without fixed location—secretly committed nefarious deeds to maintain an illusion of peace. But when conflict finally ignites, it spreads rapidly throughout the globe, fracturing old alliances and awakening dormant enmities. With worldwide transportation systems in ruins, the tyranny of distance threatens to shatter a long-united Earth. As war chronicles a broken society's spiral into ruin, the mysterious Ninth Anonymous must attempt to restore order in Mycroft's absence. Amidst the discord, humanity faces a crucial decision: remain bound to Earth or seek salvation in the stars. Perhaps the Stars is a thought-provoking blend of dystopian fiction, philosophy, metaphysics, and social commentary. Ada Palmer, winner of the 2017 John W. Campbell Award for Best Writer, delivers a powerful conclusion that will leave readers pondering the fate of a civilization on the brink.