I really tried to get into this audio book but just couldn't :(

I really tried with this book, partly because of the very positive reviews and partly because of my love of Sci-fi. Possibly a better one to read rather than listen to, although narration good. A very different culture and world was being described but sadly so much of it was dialogue both internal and external with the characters that I could not bring a picture of that world into my imagination. In depth description of cabalistic desires made me feel somewhat nauseated and was unnecessary.
As previously remarked in other reviews making LGBTQ+ relationships and characters part of the story without making it a big deal much appreciated.

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Great performance, story a bit all over the place

I am a big fan of the ancillary series by Ann Leckie. And the voice acting in this is again great. The story however is just oddly paced and gets to a point where it takes ages to get to it's obvious ending.

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So good!

It's so great to read a book where LGBT characters just exist, where that's not the main plot point or source of misery. Loved the casual representation here!

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Brilliant

This was a bit slow to get started but drew me in and held me with the characters. I’ll never look at a Welsh person the same way after this but worth it!

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Smart and fun science fiction, focused on identity, belonging and nature versus nurture

A fun book, with very well done narration in the audiobook. The characters are interesting and grow on you

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Amazing

Inventive, deep and entertaining, as always from Ann Leckie. Loved to drive deeper into her world and enjoy new aspects of it.

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A welcome window (hmm…door maybe) into the world of Presger Translators

Ann Leckie does not disappoint with this addition to her body of work set in the universe of the Imperial Radch and the systems just beyond it. She manages to deliver clear characterisation of the three main characters (voiced in alternating chapters) as well as a number of supporting characters, while deftly spinning all the plates of inter system politics. Not only does she tell a tight, well paced story, but she manages to sprinkle in pertinent (and amusing) nods to the events and characters of the original Imperial Radch trilogy. The narration by Adjoa Andoh is, as ever, superb.

Although this certainly works well as a stand alone story, I would suggest that the listener’s delight would be even greater if they experience the previous books of the series first.

The only thing that could make this better, and I think this is true of sci-fi and fantasy audio books in general, would be to have a downloadable pdf glossary of place names and proper names (including honourifics and terms of address) for those listeners who prefer audio to print or e-books, but who would like to understand the spellings.

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6 people found this helpful

Loved it!

Loved it and looking forward to more adventures in Radch space and getting to know more characters. ☺️

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Another great tale from Leckie but frustrating sometimes

Very much enjoyed this revisit to the always intriguing, extended world of the Radch — with some old friends and history popping in here and there. A great demonstration of how science fiction offers ways into exploring ongoing issues and debates back here on Earth. A criticism however, and a key frustration with the book, is the lack of subtlety in making some of those parallels even down to using many current terms which can make it all a bit too strained and obvious, and like being lectured at (via very likeable and fascinating characters, yes, but still, I’d rather be shown, not told. I kept thinking of how Ursula Le Guin explored not dissimilar issues with greater depth and subtlety precisely -- or Leckie in her ship trilogy -- because the reader's interpretation is left more open and the the writing consequently doesn't risk being shouty). I really enjoyed the overarching story though. Also do feel some ideas here felt borrowed from Martha Wells and Murderbot,.. perhaps a deliberate nod? But therefore, less original as a story device. Adjoa Andoh is always a class act, such a fantastic reader and makes all the characters such glorious individuals. One of my favourite readers. The accents were so well chosen (and...Welsh! Perfect!).

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1 person found this helpful

So What

The voice performance was brilliant and I loved the Welsh accents in particular. The story was decreasingly engaging after the initial intrigue though. I was quite bored by the end and was quite relieved when it was over.

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