Translation State
Ratings109
Average rating4
Summary: A stand alone sci-fi novel set in the same universe as the Ancillary series, multiple people come together by change to grapple with belonging.
As I have said many times, I like sci-fi because it is “about something.” The ideas don’t have to hit you over the head, it is often better if they don’t, but sci-fi is particularly helpful at looking at the ways that culture and perspective shape our world.
Translation State is set in the same world as the Ancillary series, but it is completely stand alone. You don’t have to have read the other books, but you will have insight into the cultures of the different groups and the politics of the universe if you have read the earlier series.
This is a book that can be thought to be about several things simultaneously in a way that makes it not clearly about any one thing in particular. One language does not have gender, so our conception of gender is not present in that language. Other alien species have different ways of procreation which has implications for how their society is set up. There are also different perspectives on what it means to be an individual. In the case of AI machines that have ancillaries, there is not “an individual” but a part of a whole.
I don't want to give away plot point more than necessary because this is one of those books where the reader isn't supposed to understand what is going on until midway through the book then the different threads start to come together. There are a mix of human and non-human characters who for one reason or another do not fit in with expectations. It is pretty easy to read rugged individualism into this framing, and that isn't entire wrong, but there is also a reading about sexual or other minorities who are pressed into behavior as if they were part of the majority group. In the end, it is the difference that saves the day, as I not surprising.
While that is a surface level reading of the book, I do think there is more depth there if you are interested in mining for it. Aliens really are alien and it is difficult to understand across biology, language and culture. But difficult does not mean impossible.
There is also an exploration of trauma as a result of differences in expectations and experience. It is alien, but there is a rough rape equivalent where the individual is resistant to future relationship and change because of the trauma of their past. There is also some violence, especially among aliens who have different biological realities, which leads to different expectations.
This is universe is not perfect, but I have appreciate the four books set within it and I would read more if there are more written in the future.
This was originally posted on my blog at https://bookwi.se/translation-state/
Originally posted at bookwi.se.
I'm not sure how to describe this. Maybe: cozy found-family story, with body horror, that explores what it means to identify and be identified? The pronouns are a trip; I'm not sure I ever really got the bottom of what the difference is between them all. I guess it does a good job of driving home the message that, in a diverse universe, insisting on a binary choice is a little nonsensical.
4.5 stars tempted to round up because of that feel-good ending. (I’m a sap.)
It was good! Well written, great characters. Perfect ending.
But what it really says to me is that I need to read The Imperial Radch trilogy.
I’m sure my reading of this book would have been much elevated if I had prior understanding of this universe.
Another excellent book by Ann Leckie. Unlike Provenance, which can be read independent of the Ancillary trilogy (though it is set in the same universe), this one needs to be read after those three, or I suspect it would not make much sense.
I enjoyed reading this latest book by Ann Leckie. Even though it's part of a series, the story stands just fine on its own. I was able to jump right in without having read the previous books.
Leckie's writing style is smooth and easy to follow. The plot moves along at a brisk pace, and I was intrigued by the cast of characters. Each one has a distinct voice that comes through clearly. Their world and relationships are complex, but Leckie gives just enough detail without overdoing the backstory or terminology.
The heart of the story focuses on three main characters trying to figure out where they belong. While dealing with larger power struggles in the galaxy, they also face more personal conflicts. In the end, they realize that loyalty and sacrifice are what brings a family together — not necessarily who you're related to biologically.
There's a nice mix here balancing the action-driven sci-fi plot with these resonant emotional notes about found family. Even as the book wrapped up, I felt invested in the characters and interested to see where Leckie takes things next.
For sci-fi fans who appreciate well-constructed worlds and nuanced relationships, I strongly recommend this book and series. The author has crafted something special — exciting yet heartfelt. I'm looking forward to whatever she writes in this universe next.
This is YA. Why isn't it classified as such on Goodreads? It would've been nice to know ahead of time, to set my expectations.Anyhow, it was fun at times, even sweet. Lots of complex mental states. Interesting side threads on the nature of consciousness, but nothing as sophisticated or thought-provoking as [b:Ancillary Justice 17333324 Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch #1) Ann Leckie https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1397215917l/17333324.SY75.jpg 24064628]. And, Leckie has been reading [b:Murderbot 32758901 All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries, #1) Martha Wells https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631585309l/32758901.SY75.jpg 53349516], and those bits of influence worked really well here.The pronouns were irritating beyond belief: a complete U-turn from the wonderful pronouns of her first books. But I get it, it's YA, and as I predicted we get to learn Very Important Lessons later in the book. (And it was okay. The book is infused with well-done kindness). YA isn't my thing, but this is a book I would totally recommend to any teenager.
I liked this a lot... maybe I'll return to the imperial radch series I never finished it
This novel is in the same universe as Leckie's other books, but I've honestly completely forgotten what they are about and I still enjoyed this one. The cool (or maybe a bit gross? idk) plot point of this book is that there's this alien race where to reach adulthood you have to merge with another so you end up with one consciousness across 2 bodies. Then there's some politicy stuff and some action so overall was a pretty fun read.