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
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