Reviews

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

dantalion_xi's review against another edition

5.0

These are lucky years for me. I have been reading a lot of good sci-fi, mostly modern classics.

A Memory Called Empire is the brilliant contemporary exception.
Arkady Martine writes so intensely, you can only detect she's writing a novel for the first time from the slightest hints. I love her characters, and I feel like I have accompanied Mahit, Three Seagrass and Twelve Azalea in their adventures myself. But what sticks with me, is the cultural background she's come up with as a setting. The Teixcalaan Empire is nothing short of incredible in the way it's been imagined, and prompted me to go read actual Byzantine novel to discover where she had got her inspiration from. And even after that experience, I must say that Martine has been absolutely original and clever.

An absolute page turner.

elizabethmalousek's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

ajkessel's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

laurasauras's review against another edition

5.0

Such an interesting book! The sci fi world is very detailed and manages to be unapologetically alien (making you keep up with all the unfamiliar terminology and names) and very familiar. I loved the personal relationships that revolve around Mahit and her struggles to identify who is on her side--or even just who isn't *against* her. Really looking forward to reading the sequel.

koalacupcake's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

caitblg's review against another edition

funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

nyailrac's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

fermin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

From time to time, especially when I'm going through a reading lull, I'll find a book that reminds me of the joy of reading and will pull me back in. Sci fi and fantasy are the genres I first fell in love with, so it's not strange most often those books belong there. There's something about their world building that I will always be drawn to, this book is no different and it opens with most captivation dedication and I have ever read: I was hooked from page 0. I would say it does not rise above its opening quality, but it delivers on it, and that's just as well. I will definitely be reading the sequel.
+Did I mention how naturally sexuality is addressed here? honestly refreshing

kyliealeksa's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

saloninareads's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

3.25