Ancillary Sword
Preceded by | Ancillary Justice |
---|---|
Followed by | Ancillary Mercy |
Ancillary Sword is a science fiction novel by the American writer Ann Leckie, published in October 2014. It is the second novel in Leckie's "Imperial Radch" space opera trilogy, which began with Ancillary Justice (2013) and ended with Ancillary Mercy (2015). The novel was generally well-received by critics, received the BSFA Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, and was nominated for the Nebula and Hugo awards.
Synopsis
Anaander Mianaai, the Lord of the Radch – or the part of her personality that opposes the further militant expansion of the empire – adopts Breq into her house, appoints her Fleet Captain, puts her in command of the warship Mercy of Kalr, and charges her to protect the remote Athoek system. Breq's crew includes her old comrade Seivarden and the young Lieutenant Tisarwat, who is revealed to be a hastily converted ancillary copy of Anaander herself. After Breq recognizes Tisarwat as an unwilling ancillary of Anaander, she has her ancillary implants removed, allowing Tisarwat to develop a hybrid personality.
At Athoek Station, Breq seeks out Basnaaid, the sister of Awn, an officer Breq, as the ship Justice of Toren, once loved and, on Anaander's orders, killed. She meets Dlique, translator for the alien Presger, who is killed in a scuffle with ancillaries of Sword of Atagaris – the other warship on station, commanded by Captain Hetnys, Breq's nominal subordinate. To hopefully placate the powerful aliens, Breq and Hetnys enter formal mourning on the estate of Fosyf, a prominent tea planter who holds her workers,
After Breq survives an attempt on her life by Raughd, Fosyf's abusive heir, she suspects that somebody abducts suspended transportees, possibly an ancient warship seeking to replenish its ancillary crew. Hetnys and her ship move against Breq, apparently serving the other half of Anaander Mianaai, but they are subdued after Breq holds Hetnys hostage.
Reception
Critical reception
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Awards
Ancillary Sword received the 2014 BSFA Award for Best Novel[8] and the 2015 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.[9] It was also nominated for the 2014 Nebula Award for Best Novel[10] and the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel.[11]
References
- Tor.com. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ^ Newitz, Annalee (20 October 2014). "In Ancillary Sword, There Are Worse Things Than War with the Empire". io9. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ "ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie". Kirkus Reviews. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ^ Jemisin, N. K. (24 October 2014). "Dark Visions: Robert Jackson Bennett's 'City of Stairs,' and More". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ Valentine, Genevieve. "'Ancillary Sword' Examines Life on the Fringes of a Galactic Empire". NPR.org. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Kaszor, Daniel (17 October 2014). "Ancillary Sword, by Ann Leckie: Review". National Post. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Skane, Rebecca (18 September 2017). "Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie Book Review | The Portsmouth Review". The Portsmouth Review. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Scott, Donna (6 April 2015). "The BSFA Awards 2014 Winners Announced". BSFA. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
- ^ "2015 Locus Awards Winners". Locus. 27 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ "2015 Hugo and Campbell Award Finalists". Locus. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.