Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read Translation State. I was very excited to read this when I requested it on NetGalley since I’ve read The Long Game by Ann Leckie before and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this one as much. I couldn’t get past the 10% mark, not because it was a bad book, I thought the plot was rather good. I think it’s just because of the spelling of the pronouns of our main character. This is seriously just a personal issue and I’m sure this book is incredible but it’s such a nitpicky little thing for me to pressed over, and I wish I wouldn’t, but it’s just messing with my brain when I read it and I just can’t get my head round it. For the plot, I give it 4 stars for the inconvenience, I’ll give it a 3.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is a solid sci-fi novel, it is light and easy to read. I would deduct a star because I do think maybe it is too long.

This is well written and I did enjoy this a lot.

3.5 stars rounded up

Translation state is a great exploration of the themes of identity and purpose in life, taking place in Ann Leckie’s award-winning Imperial Radch universe. Not only could these core themes be delved into in a fantastic way because of the world Ann Leckie has previously created, I was pleased to see that prior reading of the Ancillary series wasn’t necessary beforehand. I would however throw out a warning regarding worldbuilding, which will be a little more complicated though if this is your first Ann Leckie book. As someone who’s only read Ancillary Justice (and admittedly that was a little while ago), it took me a while to get up to speed with all the terminology, races and places, whereas somebody more familiar with the series could just dive straight in.

Personally, I feel the real strength of Translation State is how the core theme of identity was explored by all three led characters. Enae has been cast out from her life of luxury to make a name for herself, Reet is thrown a hint that could unravel his mysterious origins and give him a sense of belonging, and Qven is trying to come to terms with a seemingly unavoidable fate. When the lead character’s storylines inevitably start to intertwine, I loved their interactions and how they ultimately help each other with the difficulties they’re grappling with. However, while I really liked the slow reveals in Reet’s plotline, and loved Qven’s worldly observations, I’m afraid I didn’t connect with Enae’s story at all. To me it felt like her story was only tangentially connected to the main plot, and unlike the other two, I think it’d be worryingly easy to write her out of the story entirely! As with Ancillary Justice, I feel that the best characterization was saved for the plot’s antagonists. Watching the cold and calculating ambassador and translator characters scheme and manoeuvre around each other through all the debates was possibly my favourite aspect of the novel. Their psychological manipulation of their opponents (particularly the three lead characters) was brilliantly vicious and nasty, presenting their ideal scenarios as if there’s no other choice to be had.

The biggest sticking point of the book for me was its final quarter, which goes a little bizarre and off the rails. I won’t give anything away, but I’m really conflicted about its place in this particular story. The scenes in question were very well written, particularly given their odd and confusing nature, and they felt right at home in Ann Leckie’s writing style and the wider Imperial Radch world. I think the reason it felt a bit disjointed here was the sudden inclusion of action scenes in a book that hadn’t relied on them up to that point. Translation State is a character driven novel that focused more on political manoeuvres than mind-bending action, and those scenes building towards the resolution felt like two good jigsaw pieces that shouldn’t have been mashed together.

Ann Leckie's Translation State is the latest novel in her Imperial Radch universe which I have been devouring this year. It is another 'spin off' novel where in this instance we get to learn more about the Presger, an alien race who communicate through translators. I won't go too much into the plot of this book in case I unwittingly spoil things for you but suffice to say this was such an interesting book it immediately shot to the top of my favourites list for the Imperial Radch books, beating out the entirety of the original trilogy. Ann Leckie writes cultures so well and bringing in even more alien elements only enriches those elements of her worldbuilding. I love how she plays with gender and politeness and societal norms across this novel (and the others) and I always leave the books with a lot of thoughts ringing around my head. This is all while pulling off a fantastic space opera plot by the way.
I would 1000% recommend reading this book - but I would say you probably want to a) read the other books first, you won't be spoiled but the context will make more sense and b) audiobook - I love the narrator and think she does a fantastic job of bringing these books to life.
I cannot wait to see what is next from Ann Leckie and I am so glad I finally had the chance to demolish this series.
I received a free digital review copy from the publisher via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

A well put together novel that succeeds as a stand alone although set in the wider context of Leckie’s early science fiction universe. Part sweet coming of age/relationships novel and part political space opera, the two are deftly woven together, providing something for either type of sci fi reader. Probably will be best loved by Leckie fans who can gain new knowledge of their universe while reading an adventure tale.

A real good piece of sci-fi, a universe full of different types of aliens and humanoid beings, smooth beautifully written plot. Another captivating story created by the great Ann Leckie.

Written in 3 distinct POVs: Enae sent on a diplomatic mission unaware that her involvement could change the fate of a person and possibly dismantle a peace treaty. Reet who is trying to belong and discover his roots. Qven - the juvenile who enjoys dismemberment, awkwardly learning how to be human.

At first, we are easily introduces to the characters and their individual circumstance, definitely capturing our sympathy and making us root for them. However, it is the main act of the book that shines with the true classic strength of science fiction: the world building and the futuristic aspects. In the bigger picture, we have a peace treaty between humans, humanoid aliens, aliens, and AIs. A good indication of how subjective influence can affect the entire universe. There are also smaller conflicts between nations and races, fighting for leadership and authority among humans. A very creative description of different species, with the Presger Translators being the most fascinating, starting from their creation, growth, compulsion to disembowels each other, and finishing with a sticking type of matching. The secrecy and lack of explanation given to their juveniles leading to half of the problems for one of the main character.

Strong found family vibes, love and support always winning, even if everyone has contradicting interests. Set in the universe of the Imperial Radch series (Ancillary Justice Trilogy and Provenance) can easily be read as a stand alone. Previous knowledge of the universe helps at the beginning to fully grasp the nature of the world but it's not necessary. Definitely 5 stars!

How does Ann Leckie manage to do this? I thought the Ancillary Justice series was peak sci-fi, and yet this novel is even more captivating and intense than the previous ones. We finally get more information about the Presger translators, and some of it is downright creepy, isn't it? However the book is also and mostly not about creepiness, it's about identity and the possibility for individuals to choose their own fate, be it suddenly becoming a detective or realising why you really wanted to dismember people, and why it's mostly reasonable.

Excellent book, highly recommended to anyone who liked the previous ones in the same series.

I really enjoyed the Ancillary novels and this is another story within this universe. Again, Leckie captures the struggle of being human in a modern disjointed world. This time, however, the question is literal for two of her three main characters, Qven and Reet.
After looking after an aging relative Enae finds that they've been displaced and instead enters an adventure to find a long lost translator. Not expecting to be successful after 200 years Enae travels across systems and finds Reet. In a diplomatic challenge, Reet identifies as human despite evidence to the contrary. Filled with explorations of gender, identity and humanity, 'Translation State' is a vivd space opera novel that has a lot to say about modernity. And it's a jolly good yarn about inter-system and inter-species conflict.
I loved it and it's really inspired me to reread the Ancillary novels which I loved when they first came out. In saying that, it's not necessary to have read the award winning Ancillary series to understand and appreciate this new novel. It's pretty much stand alone and self contained. Despite this, there is a strong sense that there will be more Enae novels - and I truly hope so.
Another blockbuster from Leckie - waiting to see if it's another Arthur C Clarke winner. Perhaps not so startling as her first but it should sweep up several key awards this Sci Fi season.

Ann Leckie returns on a high. This instalment reveals a lot more about the Presgr Translators and we get three main characters to follow through the story, piecing the narrative together bit by bit through each of them. I personally loved Reet's POV the most, then Qven, so I was very pleased when their stories started merging together and I became sweet on them as a duo. What I like most about Lecki's books is that they all feel properly /alien/ - the last few chapters within the space-between-walls was surreal and very visual - and I get the feeling that even Leckie doesn't really want to describe the Presgr because they're so weird, so using the partially human translators is a very clever piece of writing.

This was my first venture into the works of Ann Leckie, an author I've been meaning to get into for a while, and I quite enjoyed it. The canvas spreads quite far with lots of different characters and cultures weaved together to create a story that is compelling for the most part. I was confused by some of the directions it took towards its climax and some story elements didn't add up to much, but I had a great time with it. This is set in the same universe as Leckie's other novels, so perhaps that might have helped. It bears a lot in common with China Miéville's 'Embassytown', particularly in its idea of two separate people/personalities coming together to form a new person for the purposes of acting as an intermediary between alien races who otherwise wouldn't be able to communicate. Though Miéville has greater access with the idea, the relationship between Qven and Reet as they come to terms with who they are and what they must do is one of strongest elements of 'Translation State'. I'd intrigued enough to dive further into this universe!