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brainstrain91's review
4.0
A fitting end to a remarkable trilogy.
As in "Ancillary Sword", Leckie is laser-focused on the social dynamics of Breq and her crew. She wraps the reader in a warm, familiar blanket as she shows their closeness and their squabbles. If the reader wasn't totally invested in these characters, this focus might feel misplaced, but it would misunderstand the novel to think these scenes aren't important. Especially to Breq, who has finally regained a small part of what she lost.
Between Translator Zeiat's child-like mania and Sphene's morbid wit, the novel is repeatedly laugh-out-loud funny, often at the most unexpected times. And they both prove essential to the plot in the odd but satisfying climax.
Leckie has a problem with tension in this installment. There is plenty of implied, impending threat, but it rarely materializes. In the end, none of the major characters were more than mildly inconvenienced, apart from Breq (who isn't human, and is the main character, so we never really fear for her life).
I had heard Sword and Mercy were the weaker books of the trilogy. And after the phenomenal "Ancillary Justice," I can see why a reader might be disappointed. But I'm not in the least. More than anything, this is a story about the family we choose. Leckie sets this family against entrenched aristocracy, racism, and an immortal emperor - and they win. It's awesome.
As in "Ancillary Sword", Leckie is laser-focused on the social dynamics of Breq and her crew. She wraps the reader in a warm, familiar blanket as she shows their closeness and their squabbles. If the reader wasn't totally invested in these characters, this focus might feel misplaced, but it would misunderstand the novel to think these scenes aren't important. Especially to Breq, who has finally regained a small part of what she lost.
Between Translator Zeiat's child-like mania and Sphene's morbid wit, the novel is repeatedly laugh-out-loud funny, often at the most unexpected times. And they both prove essential to the plot in the odd but satisfying climax.
Leckie has a problem with tension in this installment. There is plenty of implied, impending threat, but it rarely materializes. In the end, none of the major characters were more than mildly inconvenienced, apart from Breq (who isn't human, and is the main character, so we never really fear for her life).
I had heard Sword and Mercy were the weaker books of the trilogy. And after the phenomenal "Ancillary Justice," I can see why a reader might be disappointed. But I'm not in the least. More than anything, this is a story about the family we choose. Leckie sets this family against entrenched aristocracy, racism, and an immortal emperor - and they win. It's awesome.
aspain53's review against another edition
4.0
Great ending to a great series
What a great end to a great series! Breq is one of the most interesting, most complex characters ever. I thoughts the book’s climax was very honest, clever, and a whole lot of fun.
What a great end to a great series! Breq is one of the most interesting, most complex characters ever. I thoughts the book’s climax was very honest, clever, and a whole lot of fun.
sarkahle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
bro. brooooo. i wish i could give seven stars this book was SO INCREDIBLE. such a satisfying end to the trilogy in a way that felt really genuine to the characters. i adore how ann leckie condensed this vast space opera about empires and AI and politics and sentient rights into a digestible scale (one system, one planet, only a few ships). really drove home the point far more than if there had been mega space battles. breq is one of the best, most intriguing, most HUMAN characters i think i’ve ever read. and we know how i feel about seivarden. their relationship is absolutely beyond chefs kiss. all the supporting cast are so complex and diverse yet their motivations are clear and if not attainable, at least highly understandable. but perhaps most of all i am absolutely floored by the way the worldbuilding’s simple premise opens up SO MUCH to explore!!! ann leckie i have a new idea that is so incredibly inspired by this series i worry i’m infringing on your intellectual property. anyways in short read this series NOWWW
a_a_ron3891's review
3.0
I enjoyed this trilogy and it presented some really cool ideas in a mostly-realized scifi setting and a different writing style (no male personal pronouns, everyone is a "she" or "her") but for whatever reason I didn't fall in love with it.
The main character (the series' eponymous Ancillary) was interesting, being the last remnant of an AI that before its destruction was an enormous troop carrier that controlled thousands of Ancillaries (humans whose consciousness was destroyed and bodies augmented for combat). Having no empathy, she was perhaps difficult to empathize with.
The 2nd & 3rd book revolve around the same setting and with most of the series' cards on the table at the end of the first book it's just not as intriguing. In fact, I'm going to go back and retro-rate the first book at 4 stars, I remember it being much more fun struggling with its personal pronouns, cultures, and the conspiracies.
The main character (the series' eponymous Ancillary) was interesting, being the last remnant of an AI that before its destruction was an enormous troop carrier that controlled thousands of Ancillaries (humans whose consciousness was destroyed and bodies augmented for combat). Having no empathy, she was perhaps difficult to empathize with.
The 2nd & 3rd book revolve around the same setting and with most of the series' cards on the table at the end of the first book it's just not as intriguing. In fact, I'm going to go back and retro-rate the first book at 4 stars, I remember it being much more fun struggling with its personal pronouns, cultures, and the conspiracies.
malcolmafraser's review
5.0
"In the end it's only ever been one step, and then the next."
Outstanding end to the trilogy. Not a real end, not a dramatic or neat end. But the end that makes sense. More tea, more discussion, more change...
Outstanding end to the trilogy. Not a real end, not a dramatic or neat end. But the end that makes sense. More tea, more discussion, more change...
supermrtin_reads's review
3.0
Honestly, this book was great. The only reason it got a a 3 star is because a lot of it was going right over my head, just like the previous 2 books. I think if I reread this one like I did the first book, I would end up giving it a 4. Read if you like political sci fi and don’t mind confusing point of view narratives.
charles__'s review
2.0
Weakest of the series, while still being readable.
I thought the first book was the best of the series. While being 'middle-brow' space opera, I liked how it played with gender. However, she has told us all we need to know. This one ends the series, in an 'open-ended' anticlimax.
I thought the first book was the best of the series. While being 'middle-brow' space opera, I liked how it played with gender. However, she has told us all we need to know. This one ends the series, in an 'open-ended' anticlimax.
gullevek's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I read Book 3 before reading Book 2 and I never realized I read the last part because it was so boring. So horrible boring. Just one thing popped up and I was like “when did that happen” but the rest. Boring. Nothing happens. The ending is so … boring that I still thought I am in book 2 and then we get to the good end. But there is no good end. It is just so boring and horrible.
Just don’t bother, read something else.
Just don’t bother, read something else.
nylki's review
5.0
Great series! Lots of tea. Finishing the first book I was to both parts excited and anxious. For one, its just fun to read yet also very intelligent and deep SF. But I was worried about being drowned in too much tea, which I kinda did, but in a good way, I guess. Ann Leckie has a way to writing really lively and nunanced conversations. If it needs tea to do that, then so be it.
Hard to rate the books separately, since they felt like one in the end. But highly recommended!
Hard to rate the books separately, since they felt like one in the end. But highly recommended!
joshsharp's review against another edition
5.0
A very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Perhaps a little too conveniently wrapped up, but I'm happy to overlook it because I enjoyed it so.
I don't want to spoil the plot, so let's just say it's the continuation of the story that has been established in the first two books, but with some interesting additions I didn't see coming but was very glad to accommodate. The character of the Translator was excellent comic relief too. An enjoyable mix of slower-paced dialogue and world-building, and outright action. It definitely feels like the author hit her stride. The universe of the Radch remains as detailed and believable as ever, and after this book might resemble the Culture even more (which is a good thing!), although it has its own lovely humanity and customs that will keep it apart. It is its thoughtfulness and humanity that endears it to me so much, I think.
In summary this is my favourite sci-fi series in recent history, defeating Hyperion, and perhaps my favourite sci-fi universe. If not, a close second. Very much recommended.
I don't want to spoil the plot, so let's just say it's the continuation of the story that has been established in the first two books, but with some interesting additions I didn't see coming but was very glad to accommodate. The character of the Translator was excellent comic relief too. An enjoyable mix of slower-paced dialogue and world-building, and outright action. It definitely feels like the author hit her stride. The universe of the Radch remains as detailed and believable as ever, and after this book might resemble the Culture even more (which is a good thing!), although it has its own lovely humanity and customs that will keep it apart. It is its thoughtfulness and humanity that endears it to me so much, I think.
In summary this is my favourite sci-fi series in recent history, defeating Hyperion, and perhaps my favourite sci-fi universe. If not, a close second. Very much recommended.