Ancillary Sword cover art

Ancillary Sword

The Imperial Radch series, Book 2

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Ancillary Sword

By: Ann Leckie
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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About this listen

Justice for all

Breq - the soldier who used to be a spaceship - is serving the emperor she swore to destroy. She's been given her own warship, her own crew, and ordered to the only place in the galaxy she would have agreed to go: to Athoek Station, to protect the family of the lieutenant she murdered in cold blood. Athoek was annexed by the Empire some 600 years ago, and by now everyone is fully 'civilised'. Or should be - but everything is not as tranquil as it appears. Old divisions are still troublesome, Athoek Station's AI is restless, and it looks like the alien Presger might have taken an interest in what's going on. With no guarantees that their interest is benevolent.

©2014 Ann Leckie (P)2014 Hachette Audio Adventure Fiction Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Solider

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Critic reviews

"Leckie proves she's no mere flash in the pan with this follow-up to her multiple-award-winning debut space opera, Ancillary Justice." ( Kirkus Reviews)
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I had a feeling it was much better than the first book and now when I think about it, maybe it's because I needed the whole first book to be able to immerse in that universe and understand it and fall in love with it, to get used to the weird names, traditions and the way how she calls everyone a "she".

It might have less action than in the first book but what kept me involved and fascinated was the development of characters and especially the main hero, of course. The way she sees humans, the depth of it, also the humorous and smart logic everywhere, the emotions...!

I understand it was "politics" all over the place but I hate politics and I loved this story. So - I think if you loved the main hero a lot in the previous book, the way she thinks and acts, then give this book a chance even if you dislike politics.

What frustrated me in the first book, here worked amazing - there are secrets everywhere and they are revealed one by one slowly and whenever you think the book calmed down and could (only could but didn't ever) get a bit boring, something always pops up and stirs the peace.

I didn't think at all before grabbing the third book to listen on!

The performer was amazing! I found out there is only one voice and accent she used in the previous book that I disliked. And as that nation wasn't present here, the rest of her voices I liked a lot. And she was amazing at displaying the emotions!

Better than the first book!

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This is an enjoyable continuation of the concepts developed in the first book. The story is sufficiently strong but leaves a lot to be told in book three. The most interesting plots here are domestic but some tension builds. A good narrator and an original concept. G

Interesting extrapolation on the first book

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I was really pleased with the depth of story and characters in the first book, which set a high expectation in the second. However I sadly didn't find the story to be of the same place. It didn't have the same excitement or purpose. Still I stuck with it hoping that it would pick up. However it didn't.

Not as good as the first book

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i loved the first book, and this one does not have the same suspense and mystery of the first. still a very enjoyable read though.

Good, but not as good as the first.

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This book builds on the world of the first in a well thought out unique way. Perhaps similar to Asimov or Star Trek DS9, in detail to culture.

This books is less scifi space opera and more detective, which may sadden some.

Excellent narration.

interesting mix of sci-fi and cultured world build

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I compared this to Enders Games but not really even close but it has a very rewarding finale!

Good not as good as book 1

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Enjoyed this a lot, different from the first book, just as interesting and confusing. Good narration.

Absorbing character and worlds

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I miss Iain Banks, but now I've got Ann Leckie. Enough said. She's a great new discovery for those who like intelligent hard fiction.

Great story

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Would you try another book written by Ann Leckie or narrated by Adjoa Andoh?

narrated by Adjoa Andoh - yes
written by Ann Leckie - probably not

What does Adjoa Andoh bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Accents of the characters bring them to life

Was Ancillary Sword worth the listening time?

it was an OK listen, bought it after listening the first book. probably should have stopped after the first (which i enjoyed)

Good performance makes up for the lack of story

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More of an allegorical tale seemingly relating to slavery and the historical US Deep South with the SciFi getting a little lost. Strong morals but story line suffered.

Moralism more than action

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