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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I'm not quite sure what to think about this novel... It was great to be back in the 'Ancillary' universe, and the book was definitely fun, but I didn't love it like I loved Ancillary Justice and Ancillary Mercy, which made me go into full fan girl mode.
(Disclaimer: to be fair, I read the last 40% in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep because my back and leg were hurting so much. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more in a different situation. But then I feel more or less the same way about Sword, and I did actually reread that one.)
(Disclaimer: to be fair, I read the last 40% in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep because my back and leg were hurting so much. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more in a different situation. But then I feel more or less the same way about Sword, and I did actually reread that one.)
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Translation state did all of this better! Still everything I love about Ann Leckie’s writing. Intricate politics, endearing and singular characters, the building of a found family, and a fascinating exploration of culture and difference.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Der Plot hat wieder viel mit komplexer interplanetarer Diplomatie zu tun, aber sie wurde mir immer wieder erklärt, so dass ich genug verstanden habe. Was fast überhaupt nicht erklärt wird, sind alle anderen Aspekte dieser Welt, und der vierte Stern ist nur dafür. Es ist wirklich weitgehend so erzählt, wie man halt über eine Welt denkt, wenn man in ihr lebt, das gibt es so selten.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I loved this book so much. I don’t know how Ann Leckie managed to make a SF thriller so cozy, but she did. I enjoyed everything about this book, from the fascinating new culture to the lovable protagonist. It was so fascinating to learn about the Hwaean people, who have a third gender, “nemale.” The “e/em/eir” pronouns scan remarkably well and are intuitively understandable. I hope they catch on. I loved “nother/nuncle,” and that all children are “they” until they choose a gender and come of age. Having just lost Ursula LeGuin, I felt her influence over and over in this book.
The Geck are really endearing for being giant jellyfish, and I can’t wait for a book about the Conclave, which is presumably being written now.
This was immensely fun to read. I can’t wait to read it again!
The Geck are really endearing for being giant jellyfish, and I can’t wait for a book about the Conclave, which is presumably being written now.
This was immensely fun to read. I can’t wait to read it again!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The charm of this book for me was Ingray, the protagonist. I was charmed by her, interested in her, and certainly rooting for her.
As a whole, the book has something of an English cozy mystery about it, which is quite fun, though it does sometimes clash with the other three or four genres it touches on, leading to pacing issues.
Certain parts bring with them the sense of complete immersion somewhere very different than the Ancillary trilogy (honorable mention to the time on the SPOILER Geck ship and the exploration of Hwaean ruins), but in other parts things felt a little too prosaic even for Leckie's wonderful blend of the everyday and the unfamiliar.
Overall, a good, fun read and extension of the universe.
Edit ‘22: Listening to Adjoa Andoh read this made me appreciate it considerably more! Still only four or so stars, though.
As a whole, the book has something of an English cozy mystery about it, which is quite fun, though it does sometimes clash with the other three or four genres it touches on, leading to pacing issues.
Certain parts bring with them the sense of complete immersion somewhere very different than the Ancillary trilogy (honorable mention to the time on the SPOILER Geck ship and the exploration of Hwaean ruins), but in other parts things felt a little too prosaic even for Leckie's wonderful blend of the everyday and the unfamiliar.
Overall, a good, fun read and extension of the universe.
Edit ‘22: Listening to Adjoa Andoh read this made me appreciate it considerably more! Still only four or so stars, though.