08/25/2025
I selected this book because it won a Hugo. I have a lot of conflicting feelings on this book, but also some thoughts on what I prefer in a book. This title was listed as Space Opera, but what I failed to realize is that it is very political heavy. So much so that for more than half the book, nothing really happens that I found interesting. There were bits and pieces, but on a whole, it was really day in the life of a new ambassador.
Now I want to say, the world is rich and Martine is a fantastic writer. She built a place that had its own sense of existence. At time I felt the in world words were a bit much, but the glossary really helped me become accustomed to them.
The second half of the book is where the real intrigue comes in for me. And I feel everything that comes together is well written, and even made me want to read the follow up. I think if people are big on politics in books, they will really like this. But if they are into action, this had that slow burn of Dispossessed by Le Guin.
2025-41
