You may be looking for Jacqueline Carey

Jacqueline Carey

Jacqueline Carey is an author and novelist, primarily of fantasy fiction.-Life:She attended Lake Forest College, receiving B.A.'s in psychology and English literature. During college, she spent 6 months working in a bookstore in London as part of a work exchange program. While there, she decided...

's The Sundering

The Sundering (series)

-The Shapers:Haomane First-Born:The first of the Shapers and has become the leader of the Six in facing the Sunderer. He created the Ellylon, who are immortal except if killed by steel. His Gift is thought, for which he is named Lord-of-Thought. He gave this Gift only to Elyll and Man, making them...

 duology.

The Sundering is a science fiction novel by Walter Jon Williams

Walter Jon Williams

Walter Jon Williams is an American writer, primarily of science fiction.Several of Williams' novels have a distinct cyberpunk feel to them, notably Hardwired , Voice of the Whirlwind and Angel Stationn...

. Published in 2004, it is the second novel in Dread Empire's Fall

Dread Empire's Fall

The Dread Empire's Fall is a science fiction series by Walter Jon Williams. It began in 2002 when The Praxis was published. Being well-received by many, The Sundering was released the subsequent year, and the series was brought to a conclusion in the summer of 2005 with the publication of The...

series.

The novel is of the space opera

Space opera

Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...

 subgenre and revolves around interstellar battles and the relationship between two humans, a male naval officer and a female pilot.

The first novel of the series, The Praxis

The Praxis

The Praxis is a science fiction novel by Walter Jon Williams. Published in 2002, it is the first novel in Dread Empire's Fall series.The novel is of the space opera subgenre.-Plot summary:...

, deals with the end of the empire of the Shaa, an alien race that has subjected humans and others and ruled the universe for thousands of years. The end of the empire brings chaos and war, as an insectoid race, the Naxid, battle humans for control of the empire.

In The Sundering, navy officer Gareth Martinez and pilot Caroline Sula emerge as heroes and lovers.