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A review by thisbookisbananas
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
4.75 Stars--I have been hearing about A Memory Called Empire for the last three years and just now on a whim decided to give it a go. Everyone on the Bookternet has been comping this as a space opera with political intrigue.The blurb that said "space opera intrigue yadda-yadda-yadda/blah-di-blah-di-blah" made my brain go to humanoid races fighting octopi-like aliens to save the world from impending doom.For anyone who hasn't yet read this, A Memory Called Empire is not a space opera(whatever the heck that is). It's political spy thriller set in space, and it was a fantastic time!
What I loved:
* The introduction of alien races and cultures that seem fresh and interesting. .
* The conspiracy plots that are woven throughout
* The question of humanity(one race of humanity deems themselves a higher-order than another. The more superior race calls the others barbarians, yet they are the more brutal of the two.)
* The technology created around how many people's memories could live on with the next generation.
*The author's ability to put humor in at just the right time. I highly appreciate a good comedic moment after a very intense one.
Things that could make a reader put the book down:
*The story is only told from Mahit's POV. Around the middle of the book she gets a little repetitive and whiny. Thankfully the third act fully makes up for the less then stellar second act.
*Change your expectations about what alien means... there are no octopi/squid people in this book. Again, I have to reiterate this... A Memory Called Empire is a spy thriller set in space... not a space story with spies.
If you keep this in mind and like sci-fi, this would be a great book to pick up! I look forward to finishing this duology.
What I loved:
* The introduction of alien races and cultures that seem fresh and interesting. .
* The conspiracy plots that are woven throughout
* The question of humanity(one race of humanity deems themselves a higher-order than another. The more superior race calls the others barbarians, yet they are the more brutal of the two.)
* The technology created around how many people's memories could live on with the next generation.
*The author's ability to put humor in at just the right time. I highly appreciate a good comedic moment after a very intense one.
Things that could make a reader put the book down:
*The story is only told from Mahit's POV. Around the middle of the book she gets a little repetitive and whiny. Thankfully the third act fully makes up for the less then stellar second act.
*Change your expectations about what alien means... there are no octopi/squid people in this book. Again, I have to reiterate this... A Memory Called Empire is a spy thriller set in space... not a space story with spies.
If you keep this in mind and like sci-fi, this would be a great book to pick up! I look forward to finishing this duology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma and Suicide