Sci-Fi Group Book Club discussion

This is the discussion thread for the second book of the month, or group read, for November. Please remember to use the spoiler tags where necessary. The other group read topic for this month (Fahrenheit 451) can be found here.

I read this series last year and enjoyed it

Eion wrote: "I read this series last year and enjoyed it"

Have you read the short story prequels also? I've read Night's Slow Poison and intend to read She Commands Me and I Obey this month. As these are numbered 0.5 and 0.6 in the Imperial Radch series, there must also be stories numbered 0.1-0.4 too but these haven't been added to Goodreads yet. Either that or they remain to be published.

Here is my original review of Ann Leckie's Ancillary Sword. Excellent book in all respects. Her ship designs and means of using AI's in the process are fascinating -- truly a great idea, in my view.

Richard wrote: "Here is my original review of Ann Leckie's Ancillary Sword. Excellent book in all respects. Her ship designs and means of using AI's in the process are fascinating ..."

Are you re-reading the book for the group read, Richard?

Greg, I would love to do that, but I am in the middle of the National Novel Writing Month challenge. So I am reading only what I have already started on unread stuff right now. If I had the time to add to this I would be glad to do that, but right now I am blitzed by too much else. Sorry.

I started it last night it carries on directly from the first one and is in much the same vein.

Richard wrote: "Greg, I would love to do that, but I am in the middle of the National Novel Writing Month challenge. So I am reading only what I have already started on unread stuff right now. If I had the time to..."

That's OK, Richard. I was only curious! Are you working on a science fiction novel?

I read the first one but wasn't that taken with the writing. Not sure I'm going to try the second, although I know it's a popular series.

It is a quick read and although low-key, is interesting because of the A.I./identity dichotomy as well as the blanket disregard for gender roles. I think the second one will be very similar to the first.

Greg, I am definitely writing Sci-Fi. It is called Discoveries in Darkness. Looking at what a specific type of science and technology team will do when confronted with an exoplanet trapped by the Sun's gravity. The planet called "Planet 9," has been mathematically discovered based on perturbations caused by the planet in its 30 degree inclined orbit in the midst of the Oort cloud. The ship and crew are explorers and researchers, no military at all, but a true spirit for learning new things and working together. Having a lot of fun writing it, honestly.

Richard in Temple, TX

Since I haven't read the first one, I am planning to read that instead of this. Do you guys think I would enjoy Ancillary Justice knowing that I have not enjoyed Leviathan Wakes that much?

Richard wrote: "Greg, I am definitely writing Sci-Fi. It is called Discoveries in Darkness. Looking at what a specific type of science and technology team will do when confronted with an exoplanet trapped by the S..."

Sounds like that will be an interesting read, Richard! I think there is a theory that there's another, as yet undiscovered, planet out there so if one is ever discovered, comparisons will no doubt be made with the one in your novel.

Marvin wrote: "Since I haven't read the first one, I am planning to read that instead of this. Do you guys think I would enjoy Ancillary Justice knowing that I have not enjoyed [book:Leviathan Wak..."

I really enjoyed Leviathan but didn't care for Ancillary Justice. I don't think they are compatible styles and definitely not similar narratives. So, I would suggest giving Ancillary a try. You may prefer it.

I think they were quite similar. Ancillary Justice is more interesting because instead of chapters alternating between two characters, the chapters alternate between two different time periods.

Damon wrote: "I think they were quite similar. Ancillary Justice is more interesting because instead of chapters alternating between two characters, the chapters alternate between two different time periods."
I have to be honest, I found Ancillary quite a dull read. Leviathan was more fun and I think, better written. But that's a purely personal opinion and I know it won't be shared by many :)

I don't know about better written. It is very smooth.

I found this article online:

http://scifipol.tumblr.com/post/10372...

I haven't had a chance to read any of Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch books just yet, but I thought I'd comment on a prequel story that had been published online by Strange Horizons that I read this morning.

The previous story I read by Leckie in this series was Night's Slow Poison and it seemed more like conventional science fiction. As I wrote in my review of that story, it was set aboard a spaceship which has to take a six-month voyage through a dangerous stretch of space called the Crawl from a space station to another in orbit around a planet called Ghaon, which is at war with Radch. The story focuses on a security guard who develops feelings for a passenger on the trip and these get him to think about his past and possible future.

In She Commands Me and I Obey, the story is seen partly through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy who witnesses, for the first time, an 'election' that is decided by the playing of a match by teams representing two political opponents. The communities governed by these politicians live in four orbital space stations that form a precinct (presumably of the Radch empire) and the players of the game belong to a monastic order who follow a female deity.

Is religion important in the Imperial Radch series?

Yes, It is about a space empire modeled on the Roman empire. They absorb the religions of the planet systems that they annex. They are not crusaders though and religion is a personal thing rather than a military or political thing.