A
Arkady Martine
Pseudonym for Dr AnnaLinden Weller, a historian of the Byzantium Empire and a city planner. Note: Wife of [Vivian Shaw][1] [1]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL7527474A
A Memory Called Empire
Synopsis
Ambassador Mahit Dzmare has come to Teixcalaan, the interstellar capital of the vast Teixcalaanli Empire, to take up the post her predecessor once held — only to discover, on arrival, that he is dead, and that almost no one will admit his death wasn't an accident. Carrying an outdated, partially broken imago-machine holding a copy of his memories, Mahit must uncover who killed him and why, all while navigating the empire's seductive, treacherous court and trying to keep her small home station, Lsel, from being swallowed by the very civilization she has come to both love and fear.
Genres
Characters
Mahit DzmareProtagonist
Yskandr AghavnSupporting
Mahit's predecessor as ambassador; his prior death is what she is sent to investigate, and an outdated copy of his memories is imprinted in her mind.
Six DirectionSupporting
The elderly, long-reigning Emperor of Teixcalaan, whose failing health drives the succession crisis at the heart of the book.
Compton Crook Award (2020)Hugo Award for Best Novel (2020)
Frequently asked questions
Does A Memory Called Empire need to be read in order?
While it is the first book in the Teixcalaan series, A Memory Called Empire can be enjoyed as a standalone story. The main narrative arc for Mahit Dzmare concludes within this volume, though the wider political landscape continues to develop in subsequent books.
What awards did A Memory Called Empire win?
A Memory Called Empire won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2020. This recognition highlights its significant contribution to the science fiction genre.