Ancillary Mercy

Imperial Radch #3

by Ann Leckie

Paperback, 330 pages

English language

Published Dec. 26, 2015 by Orbit.

ISBN:: 978-0-356-50242-7

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(15 reviews)

For just a moment, things seem to be under control for the soldier known as Breq.

Then a search of Athoek Station's slums turns up someone who shouldn't exist — someone who might be a refugee from a ship that's been hiding beyond the empire's reach for three thousand years.

In the meantime a messenger from the alien and mysterious Presger empire arrives, as does Breq's enemy, the divided and quite possibly insane Anaander Mianaai —ruler of an empire that's at war with itself.

Anaander is heavily armed and extremely unhappy with Breq. She could take her ship and crew and flee, but that would leave everyone at Athoek in terrible danger.

Breq has a desperate plan. The odds aren't good, but that's never stopped her before.

4 editions

PeterB reviewed Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

Review of 'Ancillary Mercy' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is the final part in the Radch trilogy. I read the Dutch translation, which was again spot on.

The story stays with Brecq who is now trying her best to protect the Athoek station. This gets quite complicated when the war between the Radch leader arrives in the solar system.

This is an exiting conclusion to the trilogy and a must read if you have read the previous two books. There's a lot more happening than in the 2nd book which I really enjoyed.

Similar to previous books in the trilogy, the story is also used to discuss some of the choices that the human race has made or will need to make in the future and some possible outcomes.

Unlike in Ancillary Sword, the choices in this final book seemed much more far-reaching and important. Much more like you would expect in a truly great work of science-fiction.

Paul Matthews reviewed Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

Review of 'Ancillary Mercy' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Bit silly in places, but overall an enjoyable conclusion to an innovative series. I liked the subversive idea that empathic AIs might make better rulers than humans and the best option might be to remove rather than impose any high level overrides.