Caine Riordan, a Heinleinesque protagonist is a participant in first contact with a federation of alien races who must decide whether to accept humankind as a member (or not, with unspecified consequences). Also at plat are a secretive security organization, ISIS, a mystery which costs Riordan many years in suspended animation, space battles and assassination attempts, and intelligent and thought provoking and a few space battles. Things are not what they seem at many levels, and hidden agendas abound.
This novel is the first in a series (tales of the Terran Republic). Although Fire by Fire’s plot is fully developed, there are so many irons in the fire that the book seems unfinished; you’ll have to look to the next book for answers. Fortunately, that book, Trial by Fire, is now available and I’ve just ordered it. I can’t wait.