A
Ann Leckie
Ann Leckie is the author of the award-winning novel Ancillary Justice. Her work often explores themes of identity and empire within the science fiction genre.
Ancillary Sword
Synopsis
Breq, once a starship's AI controlling thousands of minds, now inhabits a single body and serves the empire. Sent to Athoek Station, Breq has a hidden agenda: to protect the family of a lieutenant she herself murdered. This mission is Breq's only chance for a personal reckoning, but a difficult crew and the weight of past actions make the journey perilous.
Genres
Characters
BreqProtagonist
TisarwatSupporting
A young lieutenant assigned to Breq's ship, the Mercy of Kalr, whose true nature Breq comes to suspect.
Basnaaid ElmingSupporting
A horticulturist at Athoek Station Gardens; sister of Lieutenant Awn, the officer Breq's former self killed.
BSFA Award for Best Novel (2014)Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2015)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read Ancillary Justice before Ancillary Sword?
Ancillary Sword is the second book in the Imperial Radch series and directly continues the story from Ancillary Justice. While the core concepts are re-explained, the plot and character arcs build directly on the events of the first novel, making it highly recommended to read them in order for the best experience.
Does Ancillary Sword end on a cliffhanger?
The novel resolves its immediate plotline concerning Breq's mission on Athoek Station, but it also sets up further developments for the overarching narrative of the Imperial Radch series. Readers will find a sense of completion for this particular segment of the story while anticipating future challenges.