ramsfan1963's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The return to Radch space was well worth the trip. I wasn't expecting this to be as good as the Ancillary trilogy, but it was just as good. Leckie's books leave me a little disoriented at first, her alien cultures are truly alien with a capital A, but once I got into the characters and their various lifestyles, I found the book hard to put down.
uncreativeoops's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
For a space opera there were a lot of courtroom discussions and tea parties (which included dumplings, real-life tea parties will now always be a disappointment to me). However, space opera-fitting, we meet different species who are very confused by human oddities, gender isn't as strict, and there are sentient spaceships. The main characters were interesting but some definitely got a bigger spotlight. Admittedly, I couldn't keep the different factions or ambassadors straight. Still not sure if I find Qven lovable or annoying and some of the choices made me want to sigh loudly in frustration, but that also meant I really wanted to findout how they would solve this mess. So if you like creative alien designs and space politics, this is the book for you.
stevo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-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
4.25
glacialis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Violence
Moderate: Death
frogggirl2's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? No
5.0
Wow! What a fun, adventurous, nuanced story. I loved these characters and was engaged in their friendships and relationships. It's a great universe and I hope the author continues writing books set in it.
sashahc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Ann Leckie’s “Translation State” is fantastic. It’s in the same universe as the Ancillary #book s but totally different characters. It’s got Becky Chambers and Murderbot vibes. It’s all about what makes family, how we define human, and the personal cost of politics. It’s about choosing our own destinies and learning to give and receive help. Pronouns abound. Beautifully crafted and told.
asktheletters's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sillypunk's review against another edition
5.0
I love this universe: http://blogendorff.com/2023/08/21/book-review-translation-state/
deleore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
This is my first time reading anything from that universe - I found it interesting. I might take a minute before trying out anything else from it though!
fatkat's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Well imagined and written, but the way everything always goes the protagonists’ way gets kind of boring. It’s a problem in all the books but it seems to get worse.