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aeturnum's review against another edition
5.0
I am Breq-pilled. At a high level this is a perfectly competent example of world-class science fiction worldbuilding: we learn about the Radch, about how their ideas of gender and propriety differ from ours, about their military and their politics. This is all well and good and it's vividly imagined by Leckie.
Our protagonist is a ship's AI (going by Breq, but actually Justice of Toren) who is now trapped in one of the bodies she used to puppet before being destroyed. The rest of the details about what Breq is doing and why she is doing it will be revealed (and I won't say because they are fun), but the "meat" of this book is in realizing that Breq has feelings but doesn't talk about them. You are jumping into the tail end of a process of self-development (and will jump back to earlier stages of it) that even our main character does not understand. The end result is the book is a slow unveiling of who Breq is, a mystery even to herself at the start of the book, and what she is seeking. I found it enormously rewarding, slowly getting to know an enigmatic stranger and exploring this expansive universe through her eyes.
It is also worth saying that the book has a satisfying climax that neatly resolves this book and turns you towards the rest of the series. I was not sure, half way through, what a good conclusion would look like but I think it accomplishes it with skill.
Our protagonist is a ship's AI (going by Breq, but actually Justice of Toren) who is now trapped in one of the bodies she used to puppet before being destroyed. The rest of the details about what Breq is doing and why she is doing it will be revealed (and I won't say because they are fun), but the "meat" of this book is in realizing that Breq has feelings but doesn't talk about them. You are jumping into the tail end of a process of self-development (and will jump back to earlier stages of it) that even our main character does not understand. The end result is the book is a slow unveiling of who Breq is, a mystery even to herself at the start of the book, and what she is seeking. I found it enormously rewarding, slowly getting to know an enigmatic stranger and exploring this expansive universe through her eyes.
It is also worth saying that the book has a satisfying climax that neatly resolves this book and turns you towards the rest of the series. I was not sure, half way through, what a good conclusion would look like but I think it accomplishes it with skill.
canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
One of the more creative works I read this year. Leckie's universe is at a depth and scale few can achieve and to do that while writing from the perspective of a sentient space ship who simultaneously inhabits several humanoid bodies is seriously impressive. Oh, and the timeline switches around for the first half of the book.
But, the book's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness since the story could be confusing and hard to follow at times. This echoes the experience of the characters but it can be disorienting to the reader. Still, this is well worth your time.
But, the book's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness since the story could be confusing and hard to follow at times. This echoes the experience of the characters but it can be disorienting to the reader. Still, this is well worth your time.
scarybrow17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
prof_chronotis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
gratefulyeti's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gabefish's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.5
At first a bit difficult to get into as all sci-fi books can be, lots of set up! And. A bit dry because well the main character is an AI! But, after you get settled in you notice the little details of Breq's personality, her snarkiness and pettiness. And once the twist and plot is revealed was so fun and interesting considering the world building! Very fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Drug abuse, Xenophobia, and Violence
kitkathy24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Colonisation, Classism, and Genocide
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
The more time that passes, the more I adore this series. I've only listened twice but both times it blew me away. I'll write some more later but seriously if you like SF, long term/methodical revenge, found family, or humans that are not what they seem, give this series a chance.
dnrscherer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This was a struggle for me. No shallow end in this book anywhere. You are thrown in go deep in names and culture and concepts... then a plot you are desperately trying to figure out. I'm not new to sci fi.. and this one had me in the weeds from the get- go. The author totally used pronouns fluidly (which i dug) and one person had several POVs because they had several bodies not located near one another. I just couldn't find a rhythm and after 217 pages want sure I wanted to... I have so many other things to read.. it's doubtful I'll go further (which makes me sad because I adore the concept of living ships and zombie ancillary bodies). This book made me feel kinda stupid.
davesroka's review against another edition
4.0
Much of the journey is a bit amorphous and confusing (some by design, some not) and I have some criticisms of the world-building, but ultimately I absolutely loved so much of this and can't wait for more in this series.