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Theory time! I do not have a good grasp of the astro-politics yet, in chapter 9. I am definitely under the impression now that the gates pre-date the Teixcalaanli. They almost feel like a cargo cult. We've had very little exposure to their scientists and engineers so far, and the ixplanatl seem... dumb as shit, and unspecialized. Morgue attendant? Ixplanatl. Doctor? Ixplanatl. Paramedic? Ixplanatl. Civil engineer? Ixplanatl. They seem like all that got them there is being just as political as anyone else. I've only met ixplanatl, politicians, and poets, and the lines are blurred between all three. And Nineteen Adze does not seem to understand the basics of the imago at all. This is a parasite culture, with immense power.

What we do have in play is a ruler with a 90% genetic copy running around, contraband neurological implants running around that appear to be Lsel's worst kept secret among the Teixcalaanli court, one of those devices that was sabotaged to under-go a factory reset before being delivered to the seat of power, and that device has been incorrectly referred to as a "resurrection" by someone close to the throne (I think the science minister?)

Mahit is a teddy bear filled with contraband that the emperor thinks will make him an immortal god-king.

The war, in addition to satisfying whatever dumb-shit Teixcalaanli politics is going on, also will likely wipe Lsel off the map, thus eliminating evidence.

There is so much happening in this book that it is difficult to talk about everything in it that stands out to me. The galactic 'net feels so prescient for the current age we live in. The Tines are, hands down, one of my absolute favorite aliens I've encountered thus far in media. And while this day and age has many of us burned out on talk of AI, trans-humanism, and the singularity, the Zones of Thought is such an intriguing idea, and I think executed very well.

My one disappointment is that the book doesn't end in a way that makes it seem like the sequel will be getting the Tines into space until deep into the latter half, if at all. Vinge built a fascinating universe here, and I'd love to be able to explore more of it, preferably getting to see how the Tines integrate into the larger space-faring community and the symbiotic relationship the author was clearly setting up between them and humanity.

Also, y'know, always fun when a major character has your name. Peregrine is cool as hell.