A review by reddawnn
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

3.75

Honestly, the first book was the best in the trilogy. Ancillary Justice had both emotionally compelling characters and genuine political/existential intrigue. Not to mention the terse, purposeful prose. The character work stayed consistently amazing (for the most part) throughout the later books, but the overarching intrigue dwindled, at least for me. I understand that it was not the author's intention to wrap up the series with your typical flashy space battle that brings the intergalactic war to a triumphant end, and that instead she wanted to focus on the tiny, specific part of the galaxy that was important to Breq. I don't particularly have a problem with that. However, the ending of the series left a sour taste in my mouth. First of all, I felt that the tone was flipped almost on its head. Translator Zeiat existed only as comic relief in the majority of the scenes she was present in. This is in stark contrast to the rest of the trilogy (especially the first one), which takes a somber, pensive, even lonely tone. Sphene felt similarly out of place. Secondly, the final scene felt anticlimactic. The Lord of the Radch, presented as a terrifying godlike figure in the first novel, was the furthest thing from intimidating in this one. I understand that it's supposed to highlight the effect of her fractured mind, but... c'mon. All of the stakes seemed to go out the window. Lastly, the underlying "message" of the novel is one I wholeheartedly abhor. I will be dead before I treat an AI as anything close to human. The recent explosion of generative AI is leading to a global decline in intellectualism, independence, and integrity. Not to mention its effect on the environment. Honestly, I suppose I should have seen this coming. The exploration of Breq's identity and her "humanity" was the focal point of the entire series after all. 

Overall, the conclusion to this trilogy was unable to capture the gripping intensity of the first novel. I still loved being able to spend time with Breq and her entourage, but from a plot standpoint this book was entirely underwhelming.