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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
medium-paced
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine is the story of a young diplomat from a 'provincial' region of space who makes it to the center of the Teixcalaan Empire to represent her people. Her own region is a nominal vassal state though it retains much independence. This region is important because it is a frontier area where the Empire would like to expand. So the main character, Mahit Dzmare, has outsized importance compared to her role.
She arrives in the capital of the Empire during a crisis moment. There is an ascension dispute among the leading generals, and worse, she's almost completely blind in the new environment, her precedent having died under suspicious circumstances. So she has no one to inculcate her with the intricacies of palace intrigue and politics.
What's more, the society of the capital city itself is hostile to foreigners/barbarians. Beyond typical differences of culture and language even the physical attributes of non-citizens are distinct (they are generally much taller and thinner - the effects of zero gravity over generations.) Thus she is a visible minority and resultingly vulnerable if her status is put to question.
The cultural milieu described by Martine is the most interesting part of the book. Readers will be familiar with the age-old themes of Empire and vassal, urban area vs rural. One need just look back to Roman/Western history for that. But the culture of the Teixcalaan Empire is wholly new. The language is poetic with deep roots in the past, where to be a good citizen is to be well versed with literature, history, and poetry. To me, it seems like there is something almost Japanese or Indian in the descriptions of the capital city and its people. Anyway, this first book of the series leaves the reader curious to know more.
However well Martine develops an interesting setting for her book, the enjoyment of reading for me was limited by the themes of sexual discovery, and by the childish banter/flirting between Dzmare and her interpreter. This will no doubt have an appeal to certain readers, perhaps the sexually curious and questioning teenagers who are generally the biggest consumers of sci-fi. For me though, it detracted from the story arc.
This was my most recent foray into contemporary science-fiction. It's been a long time and I had to peruse the Hugo and Nebula Awards lists just to know what has been published in the last few years. I'm not surprised about the sexual questioning theme, the last time I picked up recent sci-fi it was there as well (the Ancillary series by Leckie.) Often speculative fiction is where cult knowledge or non-mainstream ideas can be passed down to younger generations since without the weight of mainstream society imposing on the discussion it is easier to explore these things. I am surprised at how big this still is though. I guess the culture wars are still going on in America.
She arrives in the capital of the Empire during a crisis moment. There is an ascension dispute among the leading generals, and worse, she's almost completely blind in the new environment, her precedent having died under suspicious circumstances. So she has no one to inculcate her with the intricacies of palace intrigue and politics.
What's more, the society of the capital city itself is hostile to foreigners/barbarians. Beyond typical differences of culture and language even the physical attributes of non-citizens are distinct (they are generally much taller and thinner - the effects of zero gravity over generations.) Thus she is a visible minority and resultingly vulnerable if her status is put to question.
The cultural milieu described by Martine is the most interesting part of the book. Readers will be familiar with the age-old themes of Empire and vassal, urban area vs rural. One need just look back to Roman/Western history for that. But the culture of the Teixcalaan Empire is wholly new. The language is poetic with deep roots in the past, where to be a good citizen is to be well versed with literature, history, and poetry. To me, it seems like there is something almost Japanese or Indian in the descriptions of the capital city and its people. Anyway, this first book of the series leaves the reader curious to know more.
However well Martine develops an interesting setting for her book, the enjoyment of reading for me was limited by the themes of sexual discovery, and by the childish banter/flirting between Dzmare and her interpreter. This will no doubt have an appeal to certain readers, perhaps the sexually curious and questioning teenagers who are generally the biggest consumers of sci-fi. For me though, it detracted from the story arc.
This was my most recent foray into contemporary science-fiction. It's been a long time and I had to peruse the Hugo and Nebula Awards lists just to know what has been published in the last few years. I'm not surprised about the sexual questioning theme, the last time I picked up recent sci-fi it was there as well (the Ancillary series by Leckie.) Often speculative fiction is where cult knowledge or non-mainstream ideas can be passed down to younger generations since without the weight of mainstream society imposing on the discussion it is easier to explore these things. I am surprised at how big this still is though. I guess the culture wars are still going on in America.
This book evoked two different and equally strong reactions in me-
One: Three Seagrass are you free for dinner this Friday I will listen to you recite poetry all day thank you please please please
Two: What a beautiful book. What a horrible, beautiful empire. A sublime use of the stranger in a strange land, Mahit just as lost as us in the empire that is the city that is the world. She never had all the pieces until the very end; and even then, she was still surprised. Dazzling worldbuilding, a breath of fresh air with a Mesoamerican-styled space empire with layers of address and court and intrigue. An incredible page-turner as the ambassador juggles Teixcalaani life and tries not to let the whole beautiful display of scheming and lies and appearances drop a single ball. Three Seagrass was right. Staying with Mahit was *the* most interesting possibility.
The people are so beautifully human. Especially when skirting the edge of being human or being a figurehead, a memory, a living breathing skin - what a task it is to try and stop the hurricane of empire. You're standing in front of the tsunami, Mahit, and you too will be changed by trying to divert it. Already putting a hold on Desolation.
One: Three Seagrass are you free for dinner this Friday I will listen to you recite poetry all day thank you please please please
Two: What a beautiful book. What a horrible, beautiful empire. A sublime use of the stranger in a strange land, Mahit just as lost as us in the empire that is the city that is the world. She never had all the pieces until the very end; and even then, she was still surprised. Dazzling worldbuilding, a breath of fresh air with a Mesoamerican-styled space empire with layers of address and court and intrigue. An incredible page-turner as the ambassador juggles Teixcalaani life and tries not to let the whole beautiful display of scheming and lies and appearances drop a single ball. Three Seagrass was right. Staying with Mahit was *the* most interesting possibility.
The people are so beautifully human. Especially when skirting the edge of being human or being a figurehead, a memory, a living breathing skin - what a task it is to try and stop the hurricane of empire. You're standing in front of the tsunami, Mahit, and you too will be changed by trying to divert it. Already putting a hold on Desolation.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
If this book were food I would say it was lip-smacking, eat-every-crumb good.
I don't enjoy politics for politics' sake in a book, but here we have life-or-death political intrigue in an empire that spans planets and solar systems. There is a powerful Emperor, who has ruled for 80 years. There is a Byzantine system of powerful ministries and advisers. There is a beautiful, poetry-inspiring capital city known as the Jewel of the World. Into this entrancing snake pit walks Mahit, a 26-year-old ambassador sent by her tiny home, a mining station on the outer edges of the empire. She has come to replace the previous ambassador, who might have been murdered. Is she now a target?
I love the character of Mahit and I can hardly wait for the second book in this series to come out! The human relationships here are marvelous. I'm not even going to talk about the brain implant because it's probably best if every reader discovers the realm of implications around that on their own.
I found everything about this story deeply satisfying. There's danger, love and loyalty, and the pace never once lags.
It won the Hugo Award for best novel in 2020.
.
I don't enjoy politics for politics' sake in a book, but here we have life-or-death political intrigue in an empire that spans planets and solar systems. There is a powerful Emperor, who has ruled for 80 years. There is a Byzantine system of powerful ministries and advisers. There is a beautiful, poetry-inspiring capital city known as the Jewel of the World. Into this entrancing snake pit walks Mahit, a 26-year-old ambassador sent by her tiny home, a mining station on the outer edges of the empire. She has come to replace the previous ambassador, who might have been murdered. Is she now a target?
I love the character of Mahit and I can hardly wait for the second book in this series to come out! The human relationships here are marvelous. I'm not even going to talk about the brain implant because it's probably best if every reader discovers the realm of implications around that on their own.
I found everything about this story deeply satisfying. There's danger, love and loyalty, and the pace never once lags.
It won the Hugo Award for best novel in 2020.
.