The Language of Liars by S. L. Huang is a thought-provoking sci-fi novella about a linguist, Ro, who infiltrates a secretive, advanced alien species (Star Eaters) by mastering their language, only to discover that the act of understanding and adopting their ways destroys them, revealing deep questions about identity, cultural appropriation, and the devastating power of language and knowledge. The story follows Ro's journey from admiration to complicity in his people's exploitation, exploring themes of colonialism, the cost of civilization, and the inherent lies in academic pursuit, all wrapped in a fast-paced, heartbreaking linguistic puzzle.