Review: Ancillary Mercy (Ann Leckie)

I'm going to preface this by saying that this is more a review of the entire trilogy, although I'll focus some specific comments on character development to this third and final book, Ancillary Mercy.

Leckie did a fantastic job of building an opera-style space story, complete with twists and turns that made me end up really appreciating the main character, Breq. In the first book, I struggled to get acquainted with the characters, their perspectives, and in general see much beyond the war-faring and conflict throughout the book. But there was something about how Leckie developed the AI characters and technology throughout the series that kept me reading. I wanted to see how it might turn out.

I'm happy to say that the final book did not disappoint.

What I love about how Breq developed as a character is that she truly became concerned with real well-fare of those around her. Not being concerned with well-fare in word only, but demonstrating care and concern with each of her actions in an almost utilitarian way. I was often amused with the engagement she had with her soldiers and the ambassador, Translator Zeiat, who had an amusing love of fish sauce as her beverage of choice.

In a stroke of genius and demonstrating her concern for all significant beings - including artificially made ones - Breq forms the beginnings of a provisional republic in which AIs would be given consideration to make their own choices, instead of being forced to obey when they disagreed or chose not to.

And, as a bonus, Seivarden also seems to have evolved as a character (along with several others).

4 stars for the book, 3 stars for the series.

Happy Reading!
--Jennifer

Review: Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)

I will freely admit that when I started reading this book the first time a few months ago, I struggled with it. Perhaps it was because I had come off of Card's Empire not too long before the library had this one ready for me - and I was less than thrilled at the prospect of reading more of Card's books after that experience. I set it aside for awhile when Teeball started, so when I picked it back up again I was in a much different frame of mind and started over at the beginning.

On the 2nd attempt, I found this book much more enjoyable. Andrew "Ender" Wiggins is the stuff heroes are made of. He wasn't seeking a bloodbath to destroy an alien race of giant Bees (from what I can tell that's what they are supposed to be, the Buggers), but he reacted and learned to defend himself and the things he loves with a fierceness that bordered psychotic at times.

Narrated primarily through Ender's mind, we watched a remarkable 6-year old kid grow up far too fast and succeed at things most adults die trying to achieve. There's smarts, intelligence, wisdom...and then there's Ender Wiggins.

I don't know that this was enough to inspire me to read more of Card's books on a regular basis, but I'll stick to his space fantasies far more than his military conspiracies.

A solid 3.5 stars, and a book I plan to read to my kids when they are old enough as the character development and suspense was just the right balance to keep things interesting.

Happy Reading!
--Jennifer