Ancillary Sword
(Ancillary #2)
by Ann Leckie
science fiction
copyright 2014
read in January 2015
rated 9/10: really, really good
The mighty human empire stretches across space. Hundreds of planets are ruled by an immortal ruler with absolute power. Huge spaceships are run by super-intelligent AIs; AIs which control zombified humans. The alien threat is ever present.
This is, clearly, a book about freedom and loss and loneliness.
What a great story !
This is science fiction though, perhaps, there is not much of the "what if". "What if" a distributed AI is reduced to just one physical component ? That's a "what if" which is well beyond the expected "what if" just one thing changed...
I'm drawn in by the amazing science... Rather, by the amazing use of science. There's no claim to explaining how it works, it just does. The story is about a civilisation where this science is an accepted part of everyday life. A bit like Star Wars, really.
I'm drawn in by the science -- and kept in by the humanity. The humanity of all the races of humans. The humanity of the AIs which control... or, rather, manage... the human environment.
Book one introduced me to this universe. And ended with a small war on one planet. How will the author top that ?! By exploring just one more star system -- and ending with a human-scale shoot-up and a suicidal act of heroism.
In book one the author claimed "space opera". This implies bigger and better science, more and more action. In the reality of book two we have an exploration of humanity.
Sword is excellent science fiction: Science to attract the reader, humanity to capture the mind.
Okay, some of the human issues are pushed a bit too hard. A bit too much pointing out "the right way". I would rather that, than a "balance" where evil is a strong contender for success.
The hero (heroine?) is an honest, moral, goodie. And I like that ! The hero has power but uses correct process to bring justice. (While carefully watching for betrayal.) A high-minded, very human hero... Which is somewhat surprising.
The book is, however, heavy going. Not so much hard to read. Just that there is so much happening -- so much that requires understanding -- that I read it quite slowly. And I will read it again. Next time, with a better eye on who is who !
For a science fiction book, this book is surprisingly human. For a very human book, it is incredibly dependent on the science. I could skim read for the eye-popping adventure. I would rather read more carefully, to add the depth of emotional interest.
In book one, Leckie began brilliantly.
In this second book, she has improved.
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