Alastair Reynolds

For centuries the Huskers have been preying on humanity, scouring the universe and wiping out colonies whenever they find them. Merciless and implacable, they destroy the slightest hint of life. Running is impossible, and for those in hiding it's only a matter of time. Extinction is coming. Merlin and his sentient ship Tyrant are not prepared to wait for the end. There is a whisper of a weapon which could destroy the Huskers, and they mean to find it.
Barely one step ahead of destruction, these unlikely allies scour the universe for clues left behind by the ancient Waymakers. Moving from civilisation to civilisation, they face the same question every time: should they stop and help each group against the Husker threat .