Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie

4 reviews

sofipitch's review against another edition

adventurous tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I do feel like this suffered a bit from middle book syndrome where it is setting up a lot for the finale. It still manages to feel like it's own book though. I'm just obsessed with the concept of the Lord of the Radch and how that will be dealt with. I cannot help thinking she is such a good representation of American politics, two sides in conflict with each other yet still the same, still complicit in it's colonialism. I was also starting to think Breq had too much of an outside saviour role but I think the book addressed it well.

Tisarwatt is babygirl. I did miss Seivarden, she wasn't in this as much. I also loved Translator Dlique, a shame they weren't in more of the book (<- my non smart person opinions)

Also adding this book to the ever growing list of "contemporary sci fi that features last minute amateur brain surgery". Is everyone okay?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation

Moderate: Murder, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gun violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia

Minor: Trafficking, Sexual violence, and Grief

coffeedog14's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-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

4.5

While not as heart-wrenching or heart-stopping as the first installment, and lacking in some of the cool action moments that book had, this is a much more mellow work that relies more on intrigue and delving into the heart of the corruption that is inherent to the Radch and its ideology. It didn't feel like it propelled the plot as much, mainly setting up characters and ideas for later, but it was fascinating while doing so.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Trafficking, Bullying, Colonisation, Violence, Classism, War, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Gun violence, Child abuse, Medical content, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Religious bigotry, Adult/minor relationship, Deportation, Torture, Addiction, Genocide, and Rape

troisha'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Trafficking, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Sexual content

toopunkrockforshul's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was worried this sequel wouldn't live up the the first book, which I loved so much. It definitely did and it was so lovely to be back with Breq. The narration style of this book is so well crafted and manages to create mystery and intrigue while also being engaging. One of those books that feels like seating down to a large meal, where you can just dig in and get lost in the world. Very excited for the next in the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Police brutality

Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Violence, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

This book deals with a lot of difficult themes, and at its core is about the atrocities that empires and people with power commit against others