p175 - Dec. 2020

Outstanding plot and character development. Highly engaging and believable. Fascinating and sophisticated cultural and artistic elements but somewhat weaker on speculative science/technology/future-casting aspects.

This is a very sweet, immersive debut. If you liked the Imperial Radch books, this one is in similar vein.

http://www.thehugoawards.org/

This was a very solid 4 stars for me up until the perfect, powerful ending that tipped it up to 4.5. Absolutely a phenomenal book, recommended to those who enjoy intrigue, political theater and in-depth world-building. As a comparison to similar authors, I was reminded of Vernor Vinge, especially A Deepness In The Sky, and also of Ann Leckie.

A Memory Called Empire is an impressive debut novel well deserving of its Hugo and Nebula nominations. What stands out is the complex diplomatic maneuvering, which forms the basis for the plot, carried out in a richly detailed culture created by the author. The characters are multi-dimensional, their verbal sparring animated with nuance and wit and poetry. The Teixcalaanli Empire rules a sector of the universe and exports its culture to the conquered and still free nations. As rival political factions mobilize, the emperor is dying and the new ambassador from the not-yet-annexed mining station arrives in the empire’s subtropical city world (I kept imagining it looked like Singapore) to replace her predecessor who has died under suspicious circumstances. At the end of the book there is a glossary and a review of the Teixcalaanli language. Much thought has gone into creating this universe. I particularly loved the naming convention for people in the Teixcalaanli world: a number followed by a word from nature or craft or tool: Three Seagrass, Nineteen Adze, Eight Antidote. (What name would you pick?!) There is an upcoming sequel.

Loved this work of political science fiction and excited about learning more about the universe it's set in. Martine has obviously put a lot of thought into building this world, and I feel confident she could spend her career writing books set in it. This particular political mystery introduces two very different and fascinating cultures, and one ambassador who is thrust from one to the other with little warning or preparation. The characters are well-drawn and the world-building is unique and believable. I can't wait to read the next one!

Humans are aliens among ourselves in a political sci-fi culture clash with a high-minded mystery at its heart.
The plot is excellent, if a bit simple, but the bulk of the creativity is spent on the science fiction technology and culture conceits that define why each moment carries weight to the characters. Although I enjoyed the characters, the book's sheer density makes it hard to absorb in small chunks. This is a novel to sit and read a few hours at a time. The author's descriptions aren't usually of the physical surroundings, but instead the introspection of Mahit's thoughts and an cultural or linguistic explanation of significance. Martine sticks the landing in the end.

For fans of intellectual sci-fi, EmbassyTown, Dune, detailed world-building and the politics of empire.

2020 Nebula Awards nominee and available on e-book through overdrive!

via reddit