This March 1977 SFBC ("Nelson-Doubleday" on spine) hardcover is the true "first hardcover edtion" and probably the actual first edition, too - the first printing DAW paperback came out in August 1977. The SFBC did a later printing (red spine & back), with a cover by Tom Kidd. I have occasionally run across Nelson or Nelson-Doubleday editions with cover prices and different bindings than the standard SFBC versions - I can't guarantee there is none such for this...

Cherryh's third book - continuing to realize the promise or potential revealed by her first two. The Iduve were the most advance spacefaring race in the galaxy. They travelled where they please in giant city-sized vessels, taking what they pleased, engrossed with their own affairs. They were humanoid - but predators incapable of human emotions. Aiela Lyailleue was a world-survey officer who found himself abducted to live and serve the iduve clan-ship Ashanome. Forcibly mind-linked with 2 other humans (Daniel and Isande), life became for him a wholly different thing - a life lived on 3 levels and intended for dedication to the service of his captors. But events invlolving Priamos - a human world that had become prey to the Ashanome - were to bring out contradictions and confrontations as they attempt to carry out the Iduve mission of vengeance. Or they would watch the world perish for their failure.