Radiant Star - by Ann Leckie (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Space opera's sharpest mind returns to the world of the Imperial Radch in this brilliant standalone from award-winning author Ann Leckie.

The Temporal Location of the Radiant Star has always been a source of both conflict and hope for the people of Ooioiaa. However, the imperial Radch see it only as an inconvenience, an antiquated religious site soon to be absorbed into their own, superior culture. But local politics is complicated, and the Radch have made a final concession: One last man will be allowed to join the mummified bodies in the temporal location to become a "living saint".

But this decision will ripple out to affect every part of the city. Amidst a slowly worsening food shortage, riots, and a communication blackout from the rest of the Radch Empire, a religious savant will entertain visions of his own sainthood, a socialite will discover hir comfortable life upended, and a young man sold into servitude will find unlikely escape.

Review Quotes

"Unmissable... Tense, affecting, and layered."

--Esquire on Lake of Souls

"[A] rich exploration of self-identification and personhood serve as a fantastic introduction to Leckie's world."--Polygon: Best of the Year on Translation State

"[Puts] the question of an individual's right to self-identification--both in terms of gender and species--at the heart of the narrative. . . .Daring, thoughtful novels like Translation State perform vital cultural work to open up new spaces so that we can all remove our disguises and shine like the princexes we were always meant to be."--Los Angeles Review of Books

"An acclaimed SFF novelist's first short-story collection... Bloodily clever and darkly comic... The many different approaches Leckie takes to her subject are amazing."--Kirkus

"Another of Leckie's beautiful mergings of the political, philosophical, and personal."--Kirkus on Translation State (Starred Review)

"Any SF reader who loves political skullduggery told through fascinating and empathetic characters will be captivated by Leckie's latest foray into the Imperial Radch in all its complexity and corruption. Highly recommended."--Library Journal on Translation State (Starred Review)

"Hugo and Nebula Award winner Leckie collects 18 stories for a stunning showcase of her talents. Leckie plays with tone... but in every borrowed style (and in the style that is deeply her own), the detailed worlds, intelligent plotting, and clear-eyed compassion make these stories standout. ... Leckie's fans will treasure this."--Publishers Weekly on Lake of Souls (Starred Review)

"I don't want to spoil anything, so will simply say that the plot always goes where it should but not always where you'd expect. Along the way, Leckie asks big questions about trauma, power, and secrets. She answers them, too....I'll put my marker down now that this book will be on most of the award slates at the end of the year. It'll be well-earned.Translation State shows off Leckie's skills masterfully."--Locus on Translation State

"If you loved the explorations of identity and society in the Ancillary novels, you'll enjoy this thoughtful and original look into what it means to belong."--Wall Street Journal

"In this book that's part space opera, part coming-of-age tale, part body horror delight, Ann Leckie explores themes of power, gender identity, family, destiny and AI through charming characters, dramatic diplomacy and nail-biting action."--NPR Books on Translation State (Best of the Year)

"Leckie's ability to seamlessly weave in alternate conceptions of gender, identity, and alien experience remains as strong as ever, as does the propulsive and exciting tenor of her prose. An excellent addition to Leckie's already well-realized and often strange and exciting universe, this new novel is accessible, and essential, to new readers and old fans alike."--Booklist on Translation State (Starred Review)

"Leckie's humane probe into power, identity, and communication is muscular and thought-provoking. This is an author at the height of her powers."--Publishers Weekly on Lake of Souls (Best of the Year)

"Leckie's humane, emotionally intelligent, and deeply perceptive writing makes this tautly plotted adventure feel fundamentally true while also offering longtime fans a much anticipated glimpse into the Radch's most mysterious species. Readers will be thrilled."--Publishers Weekly on Translation State (Starred Review)

"Once again, Leckie constructs an intricate science fiction backdrop, otherworldly yet comprehensible, and uses it to ground questions of family, selfhood, and fate. . . .Fans of philosophical science fiction will be enthralled."--Shelf Awareness

"There are few who write science fiction like Ann Leckie can. There are few who ever could."--John Scalzi

About the Author

Ann Leckie is the author of the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke, and British Science Fiction Award winning novel Ancillary Justice. She has worked as a waitress, a receptionist, a rodman on a land surveying crew, and a recording engineer. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.