Empire In Black And Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky

In a world where different races possess unique insect-like abilities, the story follows Stenwold Maker, a spymaster and artificer, who senses the looming threat of the Wasp Empire's expansion. As the empire's shadow grows, Stenwold gathers a diverse group of allies, each with their own skills and secrets, to thwart the impending invasion. Together, they navigate political intrigue, espionage, and warfare, striving to protect their homeland from the relentless march of the Wasps, while uncovering deeper conspiracies that could change the fate of their world.