A review by syllareads
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

adventurous dark mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Nothing touched by the Empire stays clean.

I am unsure of what to say exactly because there are no words in this language or another to describe my love for this book. 5/5 stars isn't enough, not nearly enough, I need to give this book 10/5, 100/5, I have never felt so swept away by a world so vast and unconquerable as A Memory Called Empire presents it to us.

Nothing I could ever write does justice to the way Arkady Martine has spun a political intrigue, a budding friendship or perhaps more and the inevitable loss of self in the jaws of a giant Empire set to annex your entire world as you know it as you find yourself falling deeper and deeper in love with the destructive force of your oppressor. I won't even attempt to try, to be honest; I just need you all to read this book. It's brilliant, it's scorching, and painful, its prose as elegant as the citizens of Teixcalaan are in their poetry, and I have never fallen in love so swiftly, nor ever felt the deep regret that comes with loving something so intent on swallowing you whole.

I am in love with this book, and I cannot even find the right words for it.