stennes_basil's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
averydappercat's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. An incredibly brilliant book that warrants a second read.
randyrasa's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a long time since I've read any serious scifi, so maybe this wasn't the right book to ease me back into the genre. I think it was well-written, with intricate and imaginative world-building, and characters that, though they first seem cold, distant, and unengaging, eventually warm up and become human. The plot takes a long time to build, but it's worth it by the end. I'm not sure if the singular gender identification is actually necessary. It's intriguing, but distracting, and every time it took me just a bit out of the story, and it required concentration to keep up with. I liked the book well enough to finish it, and can recommend it. Not sure if I'll continue with the series, though...
mtollin's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book more than I did, I heard such high praise. It's really amazing structurally and takes a lot of risks. The book doesn't hold you by the hand. However, it was hard to find a sympathetic character or become invested in Breq's quest....
raven_morgan's review against another edition
5.0
I found the first third of this a very hard read - in places, I felt a little more exposition could have helped reading (and I need to add also that this is also a reflection of my own cognitive state, but I have seen other people saying the same. So basically, YMMV).
Once I actually had a handle on the world and the terminology used, I seriously loved this. I am both fascinated and utterly creeped out by the idea of the ancillaries. And the Radch culture is just damn fascinating.
Hoping very much that this wins a bunch of awards, because it deserves it, and very much looking forward to the sequel.
Once I actually had a handle on the world and the terminology used, I seriously loved this. I am both fascinated and utterly creeped out by the idea of the ancillaries. And the Radch culture is just damn fascinating.
Hoping very much that this wins a bunch of awards, because it deserves it, and very much looking forward to the sequel.
joebuuz's review against another edition
2.0
Being honest, I did not finish this book. Stopped after 140-150 pages. It includes a high concept making for a great science-fiction setting, however, for me I didn't find much beyond that initial draw. Perhaps I will pick it up and finish it at a later date. Some books have surprised me in the later acts (and some series took until the 2nd or 3rd book to really draw me in) so it is not out of the question.
neko_cam's review against another edition
3.0
There are a lot of interesting ideas presented by this story, and many - but not all of them - are explored throughout the narrative.
The Radchaai do not distinguish people by gender, so the protagonist's internal narration uses female personal pronouns for everybody - and they often guess wrongly when they have to use languages with gender-specific pronouns. It was jarring every time I learned or was reminded that a character is actually male, but very soon after I would forget again. As a result, my mental picture of the Radchaai is of an all-female culture even though I know that's not accurate, and that tickles me.
The Radchaai do not distinguish people by gender, so the protagonist's internal narration uses female personal pronouns for everybody - and they often guess wrongly when they have to use languages with gender-specific pronouns. It was jarring every time I learned or was reminded that a character is actually male, but very soon after I would forget again. As a result, my mental picture of the Radchaai is of an all-female culture even though I know that's not accurate, and that tickles me.
tiredcreature's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Multiple narrative timelines interwoven to introduce pieces of the story at a steady pace;
Vast world beyond the scope of the story;
Rare religious space empire;
Plays with language and translation;
Conveys various linguistic subtleties of the languages encountered throughout the plot, especially as a foreign language speaker would experience them;
AI full of subtle personality; would have loved to see more interactions between AI characters;
May need multiple re-reads;
• She/her, but not like a woman, but like a ship
• The good old days have never been as good as you remember
• War crimes are war crimes no matter how noble your intentions
Vast world beyond the scope of the story;
Rare religious space empire;
Plays with language and translation;
Conveys various linguistic subtleties of the languages encountered throughout the plot, especially as a foreign language speaker would experience them;
AI full of subtle personality; would have loved to see more interactions between AI characters;
May need multiple re-reads;
• She/her, but not like a woman, but like a ship
• The good old days have never been as good as you remember
• War crimes are war crimes no matter how noble your intentions
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Minor: Xenophobia, Body horror, Genocide, Addiction, and War
antkneeomonster's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 actually
This was a weird one for me. Fantastic concepts and clever storytelling techniques are somewhat undone by weirdly inert writing and a general lack of drama or tension. And yet, despite all that, I was engaged throughout, even if the pacing was all over the shop. I'll probably read the next one, but I'm not rushing towards it. Make of that what you will.
This was a weird one for me. Fantastic concepts and clever storytelling techniques are somewhat undone by weirdly inert writing and a general lack of drama or tension. And yet, despite all that, I was engaged throughout, even if the pacing was all over the shop. I'll probably read the next one, but I'm not rushing towards it. Make of that what you will.