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.