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mgracie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
graemescallion's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
jaredwill_'s review against another edition
4.0
I love Leckie's world building. This lives within the Ancillary universe without needing any understanding of it to enjoy.
I don't think it's a spoiler to say that Ingray Aughskold is an unusual protagonist. She's (sorry, E's) self-critical, doubtful of her skills and abilities, and certain that everyone around her sees her faults. Despite all that, she's kind, generous, willing to let people get close to her.
E is maybe the most real character I've read in a sci-fi novel.
I don't think it's a spoiler to say that Ingray Aughskold is an unusual protagonist. She's (sorry, E's) self-critical, doubtful of her skills and abilities, and certain that everyone around her sees her faults. Despite all that, she's kind, generous, willing to let people get close to her.
E is maybe the most real character I've read in a sci-fi novel.
ailonn7's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? It's complicated
3.0
megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
The difficulty with writing a hit series and then following it up is that you are expected to be at the same level. This was set in the same universe as Leckie's Imperial Radch series, but lacked any of the spirit of the series. I wish she had worked on something new instead of returning.
tricapra's review against another edition
4.0
I love Ann Leckie. I love the universe she's crafted, and I love the way she plays with gender expectations and pronouns. This book was enjoyable, but that said, definitely don't go into it expecting a Space Opera like her first trilogy. This is something else entirely, and almost feels more like Connie Willis novel.
meemzter's review against another edition
5.0
It feels a bit incongruous to use words like "whimsical" and "cozy" and "charming" to talk about a book set in Ann Leckie's incredibly intricate and grand 'Imperial Radch' universe, but Provenance is exactly that.
The joys of this book are manifold. Like the Imperial Radch trilogy, Provenance is conscious of the relationship between society and language and does wonderful and compelling things as a result. Like all good science fiction, this book stretches and bends the mind; it re-envisions society in ways that challenge the reader.
Ingray as a protagonist, is a breath of fresh air. (Having recently reread A Wrinkle in Time, she reminded me quite a bit of Meg Murray). Doubting, circular, and always on the verge of tears, she is an unusual but deeply lovable heroine. The cast of characters surrounding her were distinct and enchanting, and even the most minor of figures tugged at my emotions and made me want to know them better.
As for the story itself - again there's a joyous incongruity to this novel. It has all the aesthetic and literary features of an epic space opera, but underneath is a light, whimsical, romantic mystery. There's an intimacy and focus to this story that makes the setting feel more like a small town, complete with all the zany characters and local politics therein.
By my account, Ann Leckie can do no wrong. Provenance is yet another of her works that shows us what science fiction is capable of, and by my estimation, embodies everything it should be.
The joys of this book are manifold. Like the Imperial Radch trilogy, Provenance is conscious of the relationship between society and language and does wonderful and compelling things as a result. Like all good science fiction, this book stretches and bends the mind; it re-envisions society in ways that challenge the reader.
Ingray as a protagonist, is a breath of fresh air. (Having recently reread A Wrinkle in Time, she reminded me quite a bit of Meg Murray). Doubting, circular, and always on the verge of tears, she is an unusual but deeply lovable heroine. The cast of characters surrounding her were distinct and enchanting, and even the most minor of figures tugged at my emotions and made me want to know them better.
As for the story itself - again there's a joyous incongruity to this novel. It has all the aesthetic and literary features of an epic space opera, but underneath is a light, whimsical, romantic mystery. There's an intimacy and focus to this story that makes the setting feel more like a small town, complete with all the zany characters and local politics therein.
By my account, Ann Leckie can do no wrong. Provenance is yet another of her works that shows us what science fiction is capable of, and by my estimation, embodies everything it should be.
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
PROVENANCE isn't quite a sequel, though the grander politics in play make it clear that this takes place after the main Imperial Radch trilogy. It does so without spoiling anything that would feel too important while reading the trilogy, which I appreciate. It could easily be approached as a stand-alone book, though some aspects of characterization and worldbuilding, particularly as related to a few of the aliens, received much more explanation in the main trilogy.
Structurally, one of the things that I find so wonderful about this series is the way that at every turn there are forces in play beyond the main character, creating a story that feels much larger than their goals. While this is generally true in many novels I feel it especially when reading the Imperial Radch series because of the way that every time the main character either has a very specific long term goal and can quickly adapt to changes on the way (as in the main trilogy), or as is the case here, one very specific goal that is over very quickly, then the rest of the story develops as the almost inevitable consequence of those very early decisions. Ingrid wants to obtain a particular person in order to have em help her with something, but it soon appears she doesn't have the right person and things are much stranger than she anticipated.
Things I love, in no particular order: Ingrid as a character, her rivalry with her brother, the mechs, the ship captain, how language and pronouns are handled, the artifacts and the way their cultural significance is both intertwined with and separate from their actual history.
I enjoyed the audiobook narrator's performance, it enhanced the story generally. I like this as a stand-alone story in an established setting, and hope there continue to be more entries like it.
Structurally, one of the things that I find so wonderful about this series is the way that at every turn there are forces in play beyond the main character, creating a story that feels much larger than their goals. While this is generally true in many novels I feel it especially when reading the Imperial Radch series because of the way that every time the main character either has a very specific long term goal and can quickly adapt to changes on the way (as in the main trilogy), or as is the case here, one very specific goal that is over very quickly, then the rest of the story develops as the almost inevitable consequence of those very early decisions. Ingrid wants to obtain a particular person in order to have em help her with something, but it soon appears she doesn't have the right person and things are much stranger than she anticipated.
Things I love, in no particular order: Ingrid as a character, her rivalry with her brother, the mechs, the ship captain, how language and pronouns are handled, the artifacts and the way their cultural significance is both intertwined with and separate from their actual history.
I enjoyed the audiobook narrator's performance, it enhanced the story generally. I like this as a stand-alone story in an established setting, and hope there continue to be more entries like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Murder, Deadnaming, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Death
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit