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nice_frogboy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
jporterfield99's review against another edition
4.0
This one - like Ancillary Sword before it - is not an innovative "Big Idea" novel like the first in Leckie's trilogy and the plot is a bit of a mess, but it's thoroughly enjoyable. Leckie's an engaging writer, and she injects enough humor and pathos to keep the reader moving from one tea ceremony to the next.
hominid's review against another edition
5.0
the best conclusion for a series I've read in some time.
clairedoster's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
venti_icewater's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
alexijai98's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Amazed at Leckie’s ability to write a tense and compelling sci-fi story that made me laugh out loud while reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Medical content, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse and Police brutality
katlib's review against another edition
5.0
I love how Leckie's approach to the ending of this story first has to tackle that Breq herself never thought that she would get any kind of closure. Breq believed that she wouldn't survive the ending of the trilogy. What makes her character even more loveable, though, is how greatly she trusted her friends and reluctant allies to see their plan through to the end, even if she wouldn't be there to see it happen. Of course, all of those who counted her as an ally were determined that she would survive, and, more importantly, take on a leadership role in the aftermath of the action.
Watching Breq come to understand her own significance (in the Presger's understanding) over the course of story was wonderful and fulfilling after watching her be so concerned with the significance of other marginalized people in the trilogy. Of course, she is Breq so she equally champions other characters within Ancillary Mercy, but it is in this third installment that she elevates the cause of AI, which means elevating herself and understanding her own history as a part of the oppressive regime of the Radch. Characters like Mercy of Kalr, Athoeki Station, and the AI of the Notai Ship, give her a mirror to see herself in as they work together with the Presger translator Zeiat to make change.
Her low self-worth is also shaken by the care of her closest allies. The queerplatonic relationships within this book were deeply gratifying and nuanced, and it was so good to see an explicitly asexual character like Breq give a romantic/relational arc.
The other characters are not abandoned either, with unique and fulfilling storylines given to all of my favorites, with particular nods to Uran and Queter's storyline, Tisarwat's growth, and Ekalu's recognition. I have to mention as well the strange friendship that grows between Zeiat and Sphene which brings a lot of laughter to this final book. The Presger in general were so well handled in both Mercy and Sword, and it's the first time in a while that a sci-fi alien race has felt truly alien and other to me.
Another reason I appreciated Ancillary Mercy so much was that Leckie didn't give an easy answer to solving the problems of the Radch, no quick and bloodless rebellion or takeover. Certainly some things could have been fleshed-out more, but overall I really appreciated the threads that Leckie tied neatly, and that she left quite a bit for the imagination.
5/5 stars. Perfect ending for me.
Watching Breq come to understand her own significance (in the Presger's understanding) over the course of story was wonderful and fulfilling after watching her be so concerned with the significance of other marginalized people in the trilogy. Of course, she is Breq so she equally champions other characters within Ancillary Mercy, but it is in this third installment that she elevates the cause of AI, which means elevating herself and understanding her own history as a part of the oppressive regime of the Radch. Characters like Mercy of Kalr, Athoeki Station, and the AI of the Notai Ship, give her a mirror to see herself in as they work together with the Presger translator Zeiat to make change.
Her low self-worth is also shaken by the care of her closest allies. The queerplatonic relationships within this book were deeply gratifying and nuanced, and it was so good to see an explicitly asexual character like Breq give a romantic/relational arc.
The other characters are not abandoned either, with unique and fulfilling storylines given to all of my favorites, with particular nods to Uran and Queter's storyline, Tisarwat's growth, and Ekalu's recognition. I have to mention as well the strange friendship that grows between Zeiat and Sphene which brings a lot of laughter to this final book. The Presger in general were so well handled in both Mercy and Sword, and it's the first time in a while that a sci-fi alien race has felt truly alien and other to me.
Another reason I appreciated Ancillary Mercy so much was that Leckie didn't give an easy answer to solving the problems of the Radch, no quick and bloodless rebellion or takeover. Certainly some things could have been fleshed-out more, but overall I really appreciated the threads that Leckie tied neatly, and that she left quite a bit for the imagination.
5/5 stars. Perfect ending for me.
erikinthedistrict's review against another edition
1.5
Not a great finale to not my favorite trilogy. First book started so strong!
shdnx's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked it!
My main complaint is that the ending leaves a lot to be desired. It kind of closes down the protagonist's (Breq's) story, but leaves the bigger story hanging in the air. I would really have wanted or expected that to be brought to a conclusion as well... as it is, the trilogy feels unfinished.
My main complaint is that the ending leaves a lot to be desired. It kind of closes down the protagonist's (Breq's) story, but leaves the bigger story hanging in the air. I would really have wanted or expected that to be brought to a conclusion as well... as it is, the trilogy feels unfinished.