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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
I love this book so very, very much. This was my second read of the Imperial Radch trilogy, and this time Ancillary Sword was my favourite of the three. The circumstances of our main character, Breq, are completely different from the first novel where she was coming to terms with enormous loss of self and community, betrayal of self, betrayal by her Creator, and she was on a suicidal (though very carefully planned) personal mission through which she sought some combination of revenge, justice, and amends. She was very alone, and had no positional power at all.
There is a complete reversal of situation at the beginning of the second book. Breq is now one of the most positionally powerful people in the entire Imperial Radch empire, and has a large community of people who work for her and are loyal to her. Her new personal mission is to protect and promote the well-being of a system that is isolated from the larger war waging in the Radch, but may come under attack at any moment. She is no longer one small voice railing against an overwhelming empire - she is back to being an emissary of this empire, someone who others might rail against. Except that unlike her time as Justice of Torren, Breq no longer sees the world through the imperial lens of the Radch that she ironically is back to representing.
We then see what keeping a world 'safe' and 'well' means to Breq, who immediately sets to work trying to support the most trodden-down people in the system. We see what she chooses to do with her positional power, how she uses her personal power, and the limits of both of these. We see Breq choose who to lend her support to, see her take action that harms some while helping others, see people agree and deeply disagree with her, see the complexity of right vs wrong, see how relational people's concept of morality tends to be, see people change their minds and refuse to change their minds. Ann Leckie shows us a lot of characters whose wealth or prestige allows them to act hypocritically, abusively and illegally without consequence, which contrasts with Breq's constant commitment to absolute integrity in her personal relationships and in her work. This book presents such a well thought-out exploration of themes of self and justice, while somehow remaining entertaining and a fairly easy read. It helps that the book is optimistic, and offers its characters optimistic (if not decisively 'happy') endings. Breq and several other characters stay integrous even when it's difficult; find ways to exercise their power according to their sense of justice even when it seems impossible; and succeed in creating change, which is hopeful even though Leckie does hint at the many new complexities change brings.
Towards the end of the book Breq is asked, "What is justice?" This simple question felt so profound in the context of the novel because it had been truly earned by that point in the book, and it made me tear up.
There is a complete reversal of situation at the beginning of the second book. Breq is now one of the most positionally powerful people in the entire Imperial Radch empire, and has a large community of people who work for her and are loyal to her. Her new personal mission is to protect and promote the well-being of a system that is isolated from the larger war waging in the Radch, but may come under attack at any moment. She is no longer one small voice railing against an overwhelming empire - she is back to being an emissary of this empire, someone who others might rail against. Except that unlike her time as Justice of Torren, Breq no longer sees the world through the imperial lens of the Radch that she ironically is back to representing.
We then see what keeping a world 'safe' and 'well' means to Breq, who immediately sets to work trying to support the most trodden-down people in the system. We see what she chooses to do with her positional power, how she uses her personal power, and the limits of both of these. We see Breq choose who to lend her support to, see her take action that harms some while helping others, see people agree and deeply disagree with her, see the complexity of right vs wrong, see how relational people's concept of morality tends to be, see people change their minds and refuse to change their minds. Ann Leckie shows us a lot of characters whose wealth or prestige allows them to act hypocritically, abusively and illegally without consequence, which contrasts with Breq's constant commitment to absolute integrity in her personal relationships and in her work. This book presents such a well thought-out exploration of themes of self and justice, while somehow remaining entertaining and a fairly easy read. It helps that the book is optimistic, and offers its characters optimistic (if not decisively 'happy') endings. Breq and several other characters stay integrous even when it's difficult; find ways to exercise their power according to their sense of justice even when it seems impossible; and succeed in creating change, which is hopeful even though Leckie does hint at the many new complexities change brings.
Towards the end of the book Breq is asked, "What is justice?" This simple question felt so profound in the context of the novel because it had been truly earned by that point in the book, and it made me tear up.
Listening to the audio version and was totally confused at first with the new person reading, very different pronunciations. But got used to it soon enough. A very good story.
I feel REALLY conflicted about this book. I enjoyed it through and through, but it was slow as hell and there really isn't much payoff to the many story threads.
I'll probably read the third in the series because I love the world that Leckie has created, but this book was a swing and a miss for me.
Random thoughts:
- A main protagonist I liked is still around but... Wasn't really used in the plot much at all?
- This book is all about how imperialism is bad but it also leans on the "white saviour" trope HEAVILY. Braq is just too perfect and solves everyone's problems. Blah.
- What was the point of this book? It really felt like a long setup for a final chapter in the trilogy.
- I honestly like all the tea drinking and politics but it's a bit much at times.
- "Baby lieutenants" are aborable little imperialists.
I'll probably read the third in the series because I love the world that Leckie has created, but this book was a swing and a miss for me.
Random thoughts:
- A main protagonist I liked is still around but... Wasn't really used in the plot much at all?
- This book is all about how imperialism is bad but it also leans on the "white saviour" trope HEAVILY. Braq is just too perfect and solves everyone's problems. Blah.
- What was the point of this book? It really felt like a long setup for a final chapter in the trilogy.
- I honestly like all the tea drinking and politics but it's a bit much at times.
- "Baby lieutenants" are aborable little imperialists.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
No
Review posted at: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2014/10/06/ancillary-sword-by-ann-leckie/
So, after all the (much deserved) buzz and awards for Ancillary Justice, can Ancillary Sword live up to expectations? Can Leckie follow through with a book just as compelling? Yes. She absolutely can and does. Ancillary Sword is the continued pay off for time invested in Ancillary Justice. It is a highly intelligent, fast paced and intriguing story that I just could not put down.
It has all of the strengths of Ancillary Justice but honestly, I found this to be a much easier and quicker read than Ancillary Justice. That’s not to say that it is a lighter book. I think Ancillary Justice introduced us to many concepts that just took a little bit of time to adjust to and learn about. That adjustment has been made, I honestly did not even think about gender in this book. The pronouns all still default to female, in the first book I started out trying to determine if a character fell into the male or female bucket. By the end I learned to let go of my desire to figure out, realizing a large part of the point it to really underscore that GENDER DOES NOT MATTER! What better way to address that than to write a book with a gender blind perspective? I love that this series has made me (and other readers) do that. We can only judge characters based on the actual character and events, and not make any gender based assumptions.
The hive mind aspect was another thing that I loved in the first book, but admit it slowed my reading a bit. There is still a bit of that in this, as Breq gets information from the Ship about ongoings in other areas. So, while she may be conversing in one area, we will get interspersed information about other characters during that conversation. But I never once felt it slowed my reading, I no longer had that adjustment of jumping between simultaneous scenes. It just worked, and worked well.
Breq has traveled to Athoek Station to find Lieutenant Awn’s sister. This world should be “civilized” and peaceful. And on the surface, it can give that appearance. But of course, things are not always as they appear. And as the story unfolds, and we understand what is really happening on Athoek, the book gets to address a number of great political points such as “separate but equal” ideologies. I love books that take problems with our world and wrap them in a fictional setting without being preachy, books that can be read at face value or read to gain a perspective on our world.
For anyone that is on the fence if they want to continue the series, I absolutely urge you to read on. I think for some, learning the world and technology made Ancillary Justice a harder read. But those were all carried over, so this book allowed for a quicker reading experience, where the reader could focus on plot and characters much more without compromising the complexity of the world that was built in the first book.
So, after all the (much deserved) buzz and awards for Ancillary Justice, can Ancillary Sword live up to expectations? Can Leckie follow through with a book just as compelling? Yes. She absolutely can and does. Ancillary Sword is the continued pay off for time invested in Ancillary Justice. It is a highly intelligent, fast paced and intriguing story that I just could not put down.
It has all of the strengths of Ancillary Justice but honestly, I found this to be a much easier and quicker read than Ancillary Justice. That’s not to say that it is a lighter book. I think Ancillary Justice introduced us to many concepts that just took a little bit of time to adjust to and learn about. That adjustment has been made, I honestly did not even think about gender in this book. The pronouns all still default to female, in the first book I started out trying to determine if a character fell into the male or female bucket. By the end I learned to let go of my desire to figure out, realizing a large part of the point it to really underscore that GENDER DOES NOT MATTER! What better way to address that than to write a book with a gender blind perspective? I love that this series has made me (and other readers) do that. We can only judge characters based on the actual character and events, and not make any gender based assumptions.
The hive mind aspect was another thing that I loved in the first book, but admit it slowed my reading a bit. There is still a bit of that in this, as Breq gets information from the Ship about ongoings in other areas. So, while she may be conversing in one area, we will get interspersed information about other characters during that conversation. But I never once felt it slowed my reading, I no longer had that adjustment of jumping between simultaneous scenes. It just worked, and worked well.
Breq has traveled to Athoek Station to find Lieutenant Awn’s sister. This world should be “civilized” and peaceful. And on the surface, it can give that appearance. But of course, things are not always as they appear. And as the story unfolds, and we understand what is really happening on Athoek, the book gets to address a number of great political points such as “separate but equal” ideologies. I love books that take problems with our world and wrap them in a fictional setting without being preachy, books that can be read at face value or read to gain a perspective on our world.
For anyone that is on the fence if they want to continue the series, I absolutely urge you to read on. I think for some, learning the world and technology made Ancillary Justice a harder read. But those were all carried over, so this book allowed for a quicker reading experience, where the reader could focus on plot and characters much more without compromising the complexity of the world that was built in the first book.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Entertaining sequel. Ends at a point that makes one want to read the next book.
Now we are talking.
Amo cuando se vuelven socialistas en ciencia ficción.
Amo cuando se vuelven socialistas en ciencia ficción.
adventurous
challenging
funny
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:
No
I usually write extensive notes while I listen to audiobooks so I can give a good review. I was so captivated by Adjoa Andoh's voice and Ann Leckie's storytelling that I only wrote two things.
Dick festival
&
I miss Seivarden
(Even though she was there)
Does not matter though 'cause I still have thoughts! I could listen to Breq watching paint dry and I would still be throughly entertained! She is always twelve steps ahead of everyone and it so COOL! Genuinely makes me want to better myself!?
It feels unjust to rate these books against all the books I have read because I do not think I will ever find an equal to the feeling I get reading these. Usually, my listening speed is 2.0-2.5x speed but I listened at 1.5x speed for this so I could enjoy longer. I want to hold off even reading the next book because then I will have less to experience.
But behind all the humor, tea drinking, and pettiness lies so much relevant social commentary! I cannot BELEIVE this was written over a decade ago with how relevant the points Leckie was making are today!
Dick festival
&
I miss Seivarden
(Even though she was there)
Does not matter though 'cause I still have thoughts! I could listen to Breq watching paint dry and I would still be throughly entertained! She is always twelve steps ahead of everyone and it so COOL! Genuinely makes me want to better myself!?
It feels unjust to rate these books against all the books I have read because I do not think I will ever find an equal to the feeling I get reading these. Usually, my listening speed is 2.0-2.5x speed but I listened at 1.5x speed for this so I could enjoy longer. I want to hold off even reading the next book because then I will have less to experience.
But behind all the humor, tea drinking, and pettiness lies so much relevant social commentary! I cannot BELEIVE this was written over a decade ago with how relevant the points Leckie was making are today!