The Crucible of Empire

Good follow up to [b:The Course of Empire 57278 The Course of Empire (Jao, #1) Eric Flint https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1316683812l/57278.SY75.jpg 55806].In this one the Jao and Humans have learned to work together, though not without some difficulty, and have combined their respective strengths to counter the predations of the genocidal Ekhat.An encounter with the Ekhat by a minor Jao clan yields clues that there may be another race in a remote nebula. That race, if they in fact exist, may have something to do with a shameful period in the Jao past. An expedition is dispatched to find out what is there.We learn a lot about the new race. And we learn a lot more about the history of the Jao. A young human diplomat has her skills tested. Also, while this isn't strictly military SF, we do get a humdinger of a space battle with the Ekhat.Good read. You could read it alone, but better to read The Course of Empire first.Solid four stars for me.