A review by lauraglovestoread
Translation State by Ann Leckie

adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I quite enjoyed Translation State, the latest in stallment of the Imperial Radch series.  While I did not like it as much as the trilogy itself, I did like it significantly more than its predecessor Provenance.  Indeed, this book did much of what I wished the prior one would -- in my review of Provenance I wrote that "I would have liked more focus on the alien species and the upcoming conclave, but that was treated moreso as the backdrop" and this book focuses much more on both the significance of the conclave and the alien species, with significant characters who are Presger, Presger Translators, and Geck.  I like how the themes of translation/language and identity are treated here, and for the most part I enjoyed the main characters (the way Qven and Reet's dynamic develops toward the end was a little too angst-filled for my preferences but I do like them overall; Enae read very much younger to me than hir age).  The plot was fast paced and held my interest - an exciting space opera! - and I like the alternating POV chapters.  I'll happily read the next Radch book.
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