On a remote, icy planet, the soldier known as Breq is drawing closer to completing her quest.
Breq is both more than she seems and less than she was. Years ago, she was the Justice of Toren -- a colossal starship and an artificial intelligence controlling thousands of soldiers in the service of the Radch, the empire that conquered the galaxy.
An act of treachery has ripped it all away, leaving her with only one fragile human body. But that might just be enough to take revenge against those who destroyed her.
Staff Choice: Else
The main character of this book is a space ship who is struggling with what it is like to be alive, so part of my favorite subsection of Science Fiction at the moment; AI anxiety (AI with anxiety). This novel explores what it is to be alive, loss and love in a society with an obsession with tea.
Staff Choice: Tiemen
Wow, just freakin' wow. Breq, the protagonist, is probably the most interesting character I have come across in a while now. Neither male nor female, and not exactly human, Breq is an artificial mind trapped in a human body that used to be a large starship. Yes, you read that correctly.
This is a bit of a cerebral story, following the literary tradition of the great Ursula Le Guin. It is also a political intrigue - la Dune and an almost sociological essay about power, gender and obedience. Leckie is one of those writers whose writing will stretch your mind, making you view the world in quite a different way.
There is a persistent and ridiculous notion that women can't write great space opera. Ancillary Justice is yet another piece of evidence that proves the folly of such an idea.
Staff Choice: Sophie
I loved how the Imperial Radch trilogy (Ancillary Justice, Sword + Mercy) had me thinking continuously.
Leckie explores numerous concepts: language, AI, what makes someone or -thing Significant, what is civilization. The books are subtle, layered and meant for rereading.
If you love big explosions, this might not be for you (although you'll find a few!). But if you like science fiction for its exploration of possible futures and their attendant moral and ethical quandaries, then this is one of the best series you'll encounter.
Customer Review
When science fiction manages to bag both the Hugo and the Nebula awards, as Ancillary Justice did, I really have to read it. I did, and it was marvellous. This is Science Fiction as it ought to be. It follows the footsteps of former greats like Asimov and Phillip K. Dick. Not necessarily with regard to the themes, but with regard to the daring nature and at times mind-boggling complexity of the subject matter. This book deals with issues such as the nature of artificial intelligence, what it is like to be one consciousness controlling thousands of bodies (written in first person) and toys with some quite interesting issues regarding gender and language in one fell swoop. Ancillary Justice is fascinating.