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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I’ve now found that quite a few of Leckie’s books start slower than I’m accustomed to… but she’s just setting the pieces on the board and building context. The payoff is always more than worth it.
Ahoy there mateys! I have been a fan of Ann Leckie ever since I read her debut novel. And what a doozy that one was. It still be one of me all-time favourites ever. In fact, I featured and gushed about this author in me Broadside No. 16 due to provenance coming out. And now I finally read her newest book. Hooray!!
I must start by saying that I loved it. The characters, writing, plot, and world are so well done. While the story about Ingray was fabulous and plot-twisty and stellar and just plain fun, what I really took from the book was not the story at all but the juxtaposition between the society of the Hwaeans in this book and the Radchaai in her imperial radch trilogy. This was not me intention but, well, this aspect provided me myriad entertainments.
Ye see this novel is technically a standalone that is set in the same world as the trilogy. I absolutely love what I would consider companion books that exist in a world but showcase other aspects and cultures of said world - like in me reviews of the Culture books or the Craftworld books. So this was a mind-puzzle gift that I found fascinating. If ye haven't read the first book in the trilogy, ancillary justice, then the next section will likely not make sense to ye. And I suggest ye read that novel before reading this one because of said paragraphs below. So while there are no plot spoilers ahead, I will be doing some mild comparisons and random thoughts so if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .
- I adored that the Radchaai were the protagonists of the trilogy and of course considered themselves the highest-cultured beings of the universe. And in this book we showcase the Hwaean culture who believes they are superior. Both cultures spend time pointing out how certain habits of other societies proved they were uncouth. That being said, both cultures also like to see themselves as being open-minded, which I found to be hysterical.
- For example there is a Radchaai diplomat in this novel. Though a very minor character, the diplomat was used perfectly. The author highlights the hypocrisy of the Radchaai in terms of the person appointed for the diplomatic job and also in the diplomat's attitude towards her job. Yet in certain situations the diplomat takes her tasks extremely seriously and is an important component to how the plot progresses and is resolved. It was awesome!
- We get to see multiple cultures in all the books. Geck, Radchaai, Rrrrr, Omken, and others. So very different and complex and fun. In particular the use (or non-use) of terms of gender vary by culture and language and the complexities rock! The mistakes are sometimes very funny and yet somehow also insightful into how gender is dealt with in this day and age.
- I also adore the different types of justice systems portrayed and the intricacies in how twisted interplanetary law can be. In Tyr Siilas there is a fine based system. Hwae seems slightly more like the British judicial system. Also how all of the cultures deal with the treaty with the Presger is portrayed so well in all of the novels. Citizenship was never such an interesting conundrum.
- I loved how the Radchaai have their memorial pins and the Hwae have their vestiges. I have to admit that I am more partial to a memorial pin. However the use of the vestiges in this book were central to the story and a hoot besides. I kinda want the Radchaai pins and the tourist vestiges.
- Speaking of tourism, Ann Leckie is awesome about writing about tourist places that are normal for the regular population but that I would totally visit. From bridges in the trilogy to Eswae Parkland in this book, I am fascinating and wish I could visit. I would sail the stars just to see the ruin glass hills. If only . . .
Me writing skills are not good enough to get into more particulars and I certainly don't want to give away spoilers. But this novel has been lingering in me head and heart and thoughts. I suggest if ye haven't read Ann Leckie's work then ye should witness for yerself the magic of her writing.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
I must start by saying that I loved it. The characters, writing, plot, and world are so well done. While the story about Ingray was fabulous and plot-twisty and stellar and just plain fun, what I really took from the book was not the story at all but the juxtaposition between the society of the Hwaeans in this book and the Radchaai in her imperial radch trilogy. This was not me intention but, well, this aspect provided me myriad entertainments.
Ye see this novel is technically a standalone that is set in the same world as the trilogy. I absolutely love what I would consider companion books that exist in a world but showcase other aspects and cultures of said world - like in me reviews of the Culture books or the Craftworld books. So this was a mind-puzzle gift that I found fascinating. If ye haven't read the first book in the trilogy, ancillary justice, then the next section will likely not make sense to ye. And I suggest ye read that novel before reading this one because of said paragraphs below. So while there are no plot spoilers ahead, I will be doing some mild comparisons and random thoughts so if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .
- I adored that the Radchaai were the protagonists of the trilogy and of course considered themselves the highest-cultured beings of the universe. And in this book we showcase the Hwaean culture who believes they are superior. Both cultures spend time pointing out how certain habits of other societies proved they were uncouth. That being said, both cultures also like to see themselves as being open-minded, which I found to be hysterical.
- For example there is a Radchaai diplomat in this novel. Though a very minor character, the diplomat was used perfectly. The author highlights the hypocrisy of the Radchaai in terms of the person appointed for the diplomatic job and also in the diplomat's attitude towards her job. Yet in certain situations the diplomat takes her tasks extremely seriously and is an important component to how the plot progresses and is resolved. It was awesome!
- We get to see multiple cultures in all the books. Geck, Radchaai, Rrrrr, Omken, and others. So very different and complex and fun. In particular the use (or non-use) of terms of gender vary by culture and language and the complexities rock! The mistakes are sometimes very funny and yet somehow also insightful into how gender is dealt with in this day and age.
- I also adore the different types of justice systems portrayed and the intricacies in how twisted interplanetary law can be. In Tyr Siilas there is a fine based system. Hwae seems slightly more like the British judicial system. Also how all of the cultures deal with the treaty with the Presger is portrayed so well in all of the novels. Citizenship was never such an interesting conundrum.
- I loved how the Radchaai have their memorial pins and the Hwae have their vestiges. I have to admit that I am more partial to a memorial pin. However the use of the vestiges in this book were central to the story and a hoot besides. I kinda want the Radchaai pins and the tourist vestiges.
- Speaking of tourism, Ann Leckie is awesome about writing about tourist places that are normal for the regular population but that I would totally visit. From bridges in the trilogy to Eswae Parkland in this book, I am fascinating and wish I could visit. I would sail the stars just to see the ruin glass hills. If only . . .
Me writing skills are not good enough to get into more particulars and I certainly don't want to give away spoilers. But this novel has been lingering in me head and heart and thoughts. I suggest if ye haven't read Ann Leckie's work then ye should witness for yerself the magic of her writing.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A very interesting political intrigue sci-fi story, but I think the genre just isn't for me. I finished it cause I really wanted to see where it all was leading. If you like diplomacy and political drama, you'll love this book!
Shout out to Adjoa Andoh for an incredible amount of voice talent in the audiobook version.
Shout out to Adjoa Andoh for an incredible amount of voice talent in the audiobook version.
I really enjoyed getting to spend more time in this world with Leckie’s writerly sensibilities directing the story. It’s surprisingly different from the trilogy — much less playing around with complex POVs — but the rich worldbuilding kept it from feeling too “simple”. I also appreciated the approach to ideas of family, though it always surprises me somehow when Leckie brings in an actual romantic subplot. This will be a fun one to reread eventually.
2024 reread: I did enjoy this on a second go-round, but somehow not as much as I expected to— this time the big climactic event felt emotionally off somehow, like I couldn’t form my own anxieties about what might happen and just had to rely on the character’s fear to assume something was dangerous. Nonetheless I think it’s a great book and I like seeing Leckie flesh out all the different corners of this universe.
2024 reread: I did enjoy this on a second go-round, but somehow not as much as I expected to— this time the big climactic event felt emotionally off somehow, like I couldn’t form my own anxieties about what might happen and just had to rely on the character’s fear to assume something was dangerous. Nonetheless I think it’s a great book and I like seeing Leckie flesh out all the different corners of this universe.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Regardless of having just read Leckie's original Ancillary trilogy just a few months ago, I had still managed to forget just how incredible she is at packing so much worldbuilding into such a relatively contained and personal story.
When I had heard that Provenance and Translation State (which i hope to read in the near future) were completely separate from Breq and co, I was a little bummed because I thought this meant that all of the implications of how Ancillary Mercy ended would be left alone for the most part. Yet, despite Provenance taking place completely outside of Radchaii space and thus being essentially divorced from so much of what was relevant in the Ancillary trilogy, she managed to build upon all of the implications of that trilogy in so many great ways, both subtle and obvious.
This is all to say, the way Leckie was able to build upon what she did in the Ancillary trilogy by exploring a completely separate part of the universe and society outside of what was, in many ways, set up as the only human society which mattered, i.e., the Radchaii, because we were viewing everything from a perspective which originated from that society was nothing short of incredible in my opinion, and I can't wait to see where Leckie goes with this universe. Almost makes me feel like she'll eventually have an "Avengers" style book or trilogy where all of the different characters from the separate stories cross paths or whatever, and I'd honestly be very up for that, since I think Leckie would be able to handle it very well without it coming off as forced.
Overall, this was an amazing read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Leckie's original trilogy in this universe. Definitely not a good place to start, as someone who had not read the trilogy would likely be quite lost on many of the events and concepts alluded to in this book, but an absolutely wonderful followup.
When I had heard that Provenance and Translation State (which i hope to read in the near future) were completely separate from Breq and co, I was a little bummed because I thought this meant that all of the implications of how Ancillary Mercy ended would be left alone for the most part. Yet, despite Provenance taking place completely outside of Radchaii space and thus being essentially divorced from so much of what was relevant in the Ancillary trilogy, she managed to build upon all of the implications of that trilogy in so many great ways, both subtle and obvious.
This is all to say, the way Leckie was able to build upon what she did in the Ancillary trilogy by exploring a completely separate part of the universe and society outside of what was, in many ways, set up as the only human society which mattered, i.e., the Radchaii, because we were viewing everything from a perspective which originated from that society was nothing short of incredible in my opinion, and I can't wait to see where Leckie goes with this universe. Almost makes me feel like she'll eventually have an "Avengers" style book or trilogy where all of the different characters from the separate stories cross paths or whatever, and I'd honestly be very up for that, since I think Leckie would be able to handle it very well without it coming off as forced.
Overall, this was an amazing read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Leckie's original trilogy in this universe. Definitely not a good place to start, as someone who had not read the trilogy would likely be quite lost on many of the events and concepts alluded to in this book, but an absolutely wonderful followup.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
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
Ann Leckie never misses
Original 2017 review: ARC of Leckie's follow up to the Ancillary trilogy. No one from the original trilogy shows up, and events are referenced in ways that would make sense for people hearing it a system or two away, which I really like. The best way I can explain this is that it's like the Shakespeare comedy of errors, but writ on an interstellar scale; and applied to items of cultural importance. I really like how the story unfolds, and how the story frames family, it's characters, and the importance of cultural artifacts. I got through this in about three nights, roughly. There will be a bit of weirdness as you get used to the alien pronouns, but you can figure it out pretty quickly.
--
2023 reread: So it's fascinating to read this in the wake of reading Translation State, as it feels like she was fleshing out the starts of the ideas that show up there (can someone opt in to being Geck? what if a Geck wanted out? what kind of politics would unfold around this?), while also fleshing out the wider world of the Radch, and acknowledging that things are happening in that way you would hear about drama happening several circles removed from your daily existence. Again, the family politics and dynamics are great, as is Ingray coming into her own. Not my favorite of the Radch universe, but still really solid. And of course, I'm a sucker for anything that addresses things like provenance of antiquities/cultural relics.
--
2023 reread: So it's fascinating to read this in the wake of reading Translation State, as it feels like she was fleshing out the starts of the ideas that show up there (can someone opt in to being Geck? what if a Geck wanted out? what kind of politics would unfold around this?), while also fleshing out the wider world of the Radch, and acknowledging that things are happening in that way you would hear about drama happening several circles removed from your daily existence. Again, the family politics and dynamics are great, as is Ingray coming into her own. Not my favorite of the Radch universe, but still really solid. And of course, I'm a sucker for anything that addresses things like provenance of antiquities/cultural relics.
I really appreciate the economy of the world building. This could have been 1200 pages if she'd felt the need to explain the entire setup. Also, it was a very engaging read.