A review by kentanapages
Translation State by Ann Leckie

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.5

Set in the same universe as the Imperial Radch Trilogy (Ancillary Justice, Ancillary Sword, Ancillary Mercy) and Provenance.

 Huge thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC - I was having Imperial Radch withdrawal symptoms, and I loved this book!  If not for the multistate move and a few other family obligations that came up in May, I definitely would have finished this sooner. I am actually shocked that I managed to not forsake all other responsibilities in order to binge a new Ann Leckie book – there is a first for everything!

I’m so happy to be back in this universe. I used to consider it the Radch Universe, but what I love so much about this book (and Provenance) is getting a view of planetary systems and peoples that are NOT part of the Radch society and systems, and getting that outside look at the Radch.. there’s a whole lot of different people and cultures out there!

The Imperial Radch is one of my favorite trilogies ever, and I love that there are now 2 additional books set in the same universe. I love the inventive sci-fi, the human and nonhuman characters, the creative use of pronouns, the thoughtful approach to gender and how language and norms impact it, the view of pretty much everything as a spectrum, and being presented with alien cultures that make us question so much of what we take for granted as “normal”.

I fell totally in love with all 3 of the main characters in this book, all so very different yet able to form important connections. I’m amped that we get so much more background on the Presgr translators (the title should have tipped me off to this!) was so excited for references to and cameos by some characters from previous books.  

I also think this would be totally fine as a standalone if you haven’t read the series or Provenance, but if you are an Imperial Radch stan like me, you get that extra excitement when we see some of our favorite past characters pop up. 

I loved the ending! <3