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bluejaybooks's review against another edition
Probably won't reread, but this was still fun and it was nice to be back in the Imperial Radch universe even if we are outside Radch space. (Speaking of which . . . the Radchaai would totally call it the Imperial Radch universe, and all the other intelligent groups would be quite upset about it.)
You don't have to read the other series to understand this standalone novel, but it may provide some additional conflict as we hear about some of the fallout of the other series' protagonist, Breq's, actions. On that note, it was nice to see how Breq's influence extended far beyond the relatively small region of space Ancillary Sword and Ancillary Mercy focused on.
You don't have to read the other series to understand this standalone novel, but it may provide some additional conflict as we hear about some of the fallout of the other series' protagonist, Breq's, actions. On that note, it was nice to see how Breq's influence extended far beyond the relatively small region of space Ancillary Sword and Ancillary Mercy focused on.
toosuto's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? No
4.0
sadhbhprice's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
crimsoncor's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best things I've read all year. Definitely not necessary to have read the other books in the same universe, but lots of small world building stuff that people familiar with her universe will enjoy.
myrrhashad's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
zjnorth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
casimiera's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
heatherllama's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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
4.0
loont's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the Imperial Radch trilogy. So I pre-ordered this book, a new hardbound copy from one of my favorite authors today. The title of the book is supposed to represent an idea used throughout it. But a better title would be Coincidence.
You see the story starts out strong, an ambitious girl getting herself in over her head in a new space political adventure in the same universe as Imperial Radch. But an entirely new set of space and culture and etc. feel inventive and fresh, showing off a very different side of the universe.
And then the coincidences start happening. They come in the form of plot twists that don't feel like they've much in the way of foreshadowing. At first they're engaging, what's going on? What's going to happen? It sucks you into the story.
But then, they keep happening. And happening, and happening. Just when it looks like the story might end in an unsatisfying way, boom! Another plot twist out of nowhere, this time with no foreshadowing whatsoever. As you go on it feels less and less like the character is lost and in over her head, and more like the author is as she desperately pulls more plot twists out of thin air just to keep the story going.
In the end that's what the story ends up being, a series of ever less convincing coincidences as ever less characters in the book are sure of what's going on or why or why it even matters. Which is a shame, as it's otherwise inventive sci-fi, fresh, well written, and has (mostly) convincing and engaging characters. It's just too bad the events they go through aren't as convincing as themselves or their surroundings.
You see the story starts out strong, an ambitious girl getting herself in over her head in a new space political adventure in the same universe as Imperial Radch. But an entirely new set of space and culture and etc. feel inventive and fresh, showing off a very different side of the universe.
And then the coincidences start happening. They come in the form of plot twists that don't feel like they've much in the way of foreshadowing. At first they're engaging, what's going on? What's going to happen? It sucks you into the story.
But then, they keep happening. And happening, and happening. Just when it looks like the story might end in an unsatisfying way, boom! Another plot twist out of nowhere, this time with no foreshadowing whatsoever. As you go on it feels less and less like the character is lost and in over her head, and more like the author is as she desperately pulls more plot twists out of thin air just to keep the story going.
In the end that's what the story ends up being, a series of ever less convincing coincidences as ever less characters in the book are sure of what's going on or why or why it even matters. Which is a shame, as it's otherwise inventive sci-fi, fresh, well written, and has (mostly) convincing and engaging characters. It's just too bad the events they go through aren't as convincing as themselves or their surroundings.