Ancillary Mercy

by Ann Leckie

No cover — Ann Leckie: Ancillary Mercy (2015, Little, Brown Book Group Limited)

English language

Published Nov. 12, 2015 by Little, Brown Book Group Limited.

ISBN:: 978-1-4055-2586-2

(11 reviews)

"For a moment, things seemed to be under control for Breq, the soldier who used to be a warship. Then a search of Athoek Station's slums turns up someone who shouldn't exist, and a messenger from the mysterious Presger empire arrives, as does Breq's enemy, the divided and quite possibly insane Anaander Mianaai--ruler of an empire at war with itself"--Page 4 of cover.

In the stunning conclusion to the Imperial Radch trilogy, a search of Athoek Station's slums turns up someone who shouldn't exist. A messenger from the mysterious Presger empire arrives, as does Breq's enemy, the divided and quite possibly insane Anaander Mianaai, ruler of an empire at war with itself. Breq refuses to flee with her ship and crew, because that would leave the people of Athoek in terrible danger. The odds aren't good, but that's never stopped her before.

3 editions

Kadomi reviewed Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

Review of 'Ancillary Mercy' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Satisfying ending to the trilogy, though it didn't wow me the same way the first book did.

It's a direct continuation of the story on Athoek Station, and the way things resolve feels completely organic. It makes sense. I still wish we had gotten more backstory about Anaander Minaai, about this whole conflict, but this is not what this series is about. It's the backdrop, but it's really about Breq and other AIs gaining their autonomy.

Kudos to Ann Leckie for also providing us with an alien in the form of the Presger translator who actually felt totally alien, definitely not human. Many SF series never manage to pull that off.

All in all, would recommend this series for sure.