Scan barcode
esilly12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kittycat2302's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely worthy of the Hugo
In many ways, this was a giant classic sci-fi space opera- big ships, unusual beings, vast conspiracies. And yet, much of the worldbuilding grounder this apart from others like it. While it took me a bit to fully understand and embrace the whole "ships are people" thing, I ultimately truly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy!
In many ways, this was a giant classic sci-fi space opera- big ships, unusual beings, vast conspiracies. And yet, much of the worldbuilding grounder this apart from others like it. While it took me a bit to fully understand and embrace the whole "ships are people" thing, I ultimately truly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy!
indofreezer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wanderwall256's review
Will need to try this again in physical form, it was hard to keep track of the names when listening to it as an audiobook.
vampirebimbo's review against another edition
I love sci fi and good lit. Typically, I make myself finish books no matter what but this made a worse error than a plot hole or trope ridden writing or even bad characters: it was boring. I kept seeing people refer to this one as a “space opera” though I found no drama or intrigue in the plot. The premise was interesting but I fail to see how this is talked about like it’s something Herbert-esque. It’s the type of writing which turns writers away because it’s DULL and detached, and that’s not just because the main character isn’t human.
vigil's review against another edition
4.0
this was a book that i had bounced off of at least 3 times before i actually managed to read it, but i’m glad i finally finished it. i was really impressed with how ann leckie managed to handle the pacing of this book as the two timelines each had their own individual tone, pacing, and lengths. i did notice however that many of the so called “climaxes” occurred when the other timeline slowed down. for some people this may help with feeling overwhelmed, for others it may seem like you’re simply biding time until the other timeline returns. i was fine with both personally. the present timeline was noticeably slower and more “meandering” so to speak. leckie has a tendency to
have a rapid pace pick up towards the ends of her stories, preceded by consistent dread.
a lot of this book focused on personhood, what it looks like in the context of culture (both your own or otherwise) and it’s ties to imperialism and “citizenship.” i liked the extra translation notes on the raadchi language, and how the language is also used in a way the specifically empowers the empire. i don’t think we got much, if any at all, answers to this personhood question, so i assume these will carry on into the following books. i also don’t think breq has contemplated it in any sort of meaningful waybut i did like her speaking against the condescending compassion offered to her. what is the life that was stolen from her? and what are the ways she should act and live now, having been given something like that life? unsubtle thematic statements but idgaf subtlety =/ quality.
i found certain parts of the narrative mors confusing than they needed to have been within thr book, which was made all the more jarring when breq or another character would begin an infodump so to speak. this was less of an issue with breq, as that matches her speech patterns but it was rather apparent with everyone else. the opening especially is so jarring i wouldn’t blame anyone for not reading past it. i didn’t for a while.
have a rapid pace pick up towards the ends of her stories, preceded by consistent dread.
a lot of this book focused on personhood, what it looks like in the context of culture (both your own or otherwise) and it’s ties to imperialism and “citizenship.” i liked the extra translation notes on the raadchi language, and how the language is also used in a way the specifically empowers the empire. i don’t think we got much, if any at all, answers to this personhood question, so i assume these will carry on into the following books. i also don’t think breq has contemplated it in any sort of meaningful way
i found certain parts of the narrative mors confusing than they needed to have been within thr book, which was made all the more jarring when breq or another character would begin an infodump so to speak. this was less of an issue with breq, as that matches her speech patterns but it was rather apparent with everyone else. the opening especially is so jarring i wouldn’t blame anyone for not reading past it. i didn’t for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Grief, Medical content, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Addiction, Blood, Murder, and Violence
sebrei's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
garbagemole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5