Jared,
This was on my list of series to finish. Sadly, it looks like there will be another series set in the same universe set to start this Fall. Oh well, I’ll just have to read and finish that one too.
Title: Ancillary Mercy
Series: Imperial Radch Trilogy; Book 3
Author: Ann Leckie
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, AI, FTL
Synopsis: 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. 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.
Recommendation: This could have been in the YA section. The style may not be for everyone, it’s basically a gender-less society so a persons sex or sexual preference/orientation are completely ignored.
I’m satisfied that I finished the trilogy, but the ending was underwhelming. It felt like the end of the third book in a five book series. It also lacked the big action sequences of the previous ends. Also the plot as a whole felt less engaging while still being interesting and entertaining.
Breq, was interesting and her story arc feels very incomplete. She’s left hanging but not in a cliffhanger way bur more an incomplete way. Either of the other endings were much stronger for her character. The secondary characters were also very bland compare to the second book. Really there was far too much character maintenance and not enough development for all the characters. Other than Breq I wasn’t attached to any of the other characters. But the other ship/station AI’s were probably the biggest standouts.
The setting continued to reveal fascinating new facets, but we had far less world building than in the previous books.
As for the trilogy as a whole, it was good with some great parts. I have no regrets starting or finishing it. I would encourage any other fans of space opera to give it a try.
Robert
<< Review of Ancillary Sword; Book 2
Reading Over The Shoulder 
I am thrilled there will be more to it. I think after the second book I was hoping for the next “Culture” series; there was certainly enough in this world to justify more. So happy would best describe what I am. If that makes any since at all.
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