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macthekat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
On a re-read it is still an amazing book. I noticed so many more things this time around.
I mean all the references to empire because so much more complex this time. I see parallels to the Roman, Chinese as well as American empire, just to mention the most pointion ones
It's also a very emotional story. It's not a Romance but there is a romantic c-plot that is bittersweet
This is the book Dune wanted to be when it grew up. It is beautifully and thoughtfully told It is the kind of novel that wants you to slow down and drink it in The world building is delicious and rich and in double vision. It's very much a novel about being in love with a culture not your own and fearing that it will consume you. It is also political intrige and spy fiction.
With a love story in the background I was once again consumed while reading the story and didn't really want to do anything else.
If you like space opera and political intrigue you might enjoy A Memory Called Empire
I mean all the references to empire because so much more complex this time. I see parallels to the Roman, Chinese as well as American empire, just to mention the most pointion ones
It's also a very emotional story. It's not a Romance but there is a romantic c-plot that is bittersweet
This is the book Dune wanted to be when it grew up. It is beautifully and thoughtfully told It is the kind of novel that wants you to slow down and drink it in The world building is delicious and rich and in double vision. It's very much a novel about being in love with a culture not your own and fearing that it will consume you. It is also political intrige and spy fiction.
With a love story in the background I was once again consumed while reading the story and didn't really want to do anything else.
If you like space opera and political intrigue you might enjoy A Memory Called Empire
sonialuto's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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
4.25
ketreads's review against another edition
5.0
I am beyond, not only relieved, but excited that I loved this book so much.
I have heard, seen, and been told such fantastic things about this book (and series) but had reservations towards it after hearing how complex and overwhelming some readers found it. Don't get me wrong, this book does an outstanding job of creating such a rich world with cultures you feel on the verge of understanding but not being quite there. This book is heavy on it's sci-fi political drama but it also extends into the realm of space opera so where some elements are purposefully confusing, others are so easy to empathise with at a human level that I never found myself lost. Among all of this you're able to relate even more strongly to our protagonist of Mahit who, while more well studied than us, is also being thrown head-first into a culture she was not bought up within.
Our story follows our Mahit is sent to the capital of a massive multi-system empire, called the Teixcalaanli, as she is chosen to be the new ambassador for her small mining station after her predecessor has died. Now, in a new city, culture, and among strangers she must advocate not only for her small home-town, but also discover the mystery behind the previous ambassadors death.
Martine's ability to weave such complex sets of emotions and alliances between our main-stay characters is done to marvellous effect. Our main character of Mahit is constantly having to navigate a nexus of political intrigue, while having to determine who she can truly trust after the death of her predecessor (this detail is in the blurb). I came to love how Martine writes such nuanced relationships between a wide variety of characters. This helps to reinforce just how lived-in this setting feels.
I have heard, seen, and been told such fantastic things about this book (and series) but had reservations towards it after hearing how complex and overwhelming some readers found it. Don't get me wrong, this book does an outstanding job of creating such a rich world with cultures you feel on the verge of understanding but not being quite there. This book is heavy on it's sci-fi political drama but it also extends into the realm of space opera so where some elements are purposefully confusing, others are so easy to empathise with at a human level that I never found myself lost. Among all of this you're able to relate even more strongly to our protagonist of Mahit who, while more well studied than us, is also being thrown head-first into a culture she was not bought up within.
Our story follows our Mahit is sent to the capital of a massive multi-system empire, called the Teixcalaanli, as she is chosen to be the new ambassador for her small mining station after her predecessor has died. Now, in a new city, culture, and among strangers she must advocate not only for her small home-town, but also discover the mystery behind the previous ambassadors death.
Martine's ability to weave such complex sets of emotions and alliances between our main-stay characters is done to marvellous effect. Our main character of Mahit is constantly having to navigate a nexus of political intrigue, while having to determine who she can truly trust after the death of her predecessor (this detail is in the blurb). I came to love how Martine writes such nuanced relationships between a wide variety of characters. This helps to reinforce just how lived-in this setting feels.
the_one_krissy's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
auroramw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cbwheelz's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
galliexyc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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
4.75
hannahmcjean's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
A good, well-written & often interesting book that ponders issues of empire, language & personhood. However, I found the pace rather slow & struggled to be fully immersed in the plot, even though there was lots happening. I did enjoy the world-building, but wish I got more insight into the wider historical & cultural context. Overall, I’m happy I read it but will probably wait until I’m in the right mood to read the sequel.
sammeshchaninov's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I liked the book. The concepts about shared memories are really interesting and believable, it’s an interesting area to explore in a sci-fi series. There’s a lot of interesting elements that relate to language that I wish I knew more about English to better absorb some of those concepts as well. So much happens in a short space of time and the characters are fun to get to know.
stephenmeansme'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75