Translation State

Ann Leckie

In the world of the Imperial Radch Trilogy

It has been 5 years since I read the original trilogy and it is still in my memory in broad strokes. The details, not so much. This is a story the provides new insight into the Presger, specifically about one "feral" Presger and the effort to bring them back into the community. I love the expression of multi-species interactions and the matter of fact way that Leckie sets up interactions and at the same time exposes speciesism, privilege and colonial snobbery. Glad I read it. 

4 stars (out of 4)

The Harbors of the Sun

Martha Wells

Raksura Series - Book 5

In the series finale, the weapon was discovered, and then stolen. Moon and Stone pursue, half-breeds support, and Jade follows. More interactions with the groundlings, which Moon excels at. Stone and Jade have serious PTS after the end of the last episode, and Moon can't figure out what is going on (he was on the other side of the rock.  Not really a spoiler, but in the end everything works out. The journey is amazing. Kudos to Wells for an outstanding world and series. 

4 stars (out of 4)

The Edge of Worlds

Martha Wells

Raksura Series - Book 4

Having successfully sealed the Siren in its prison, and come to a working arrangement with his birth court, Moon is expecting to live a normal, uneventful life. But then everyone has the same nightmare at the same time, the Fell invade the Reaches. Then some groundlings come with a story about a powerful weapon. Moon et. al. travel with the groundlings to *again* save the world. My only complaint here is that this is part 1 of a 2 part series (completed in Book 5), which was a departure for Wells. Small complaint :)

4 stars (out of 4)

The Siren Depths

Martha Wells

Raksura Series - Book 3

Moon's birth family shows up and it turns out they are from on of the oldest and most powerful courts of the Reaches. Moon goes "home" to try to get everything settled, with Jade to follow. Turns out this court has also had traumatic experiences with the Fell trying to cross breed and in this installment we find out why. Now Moon, Jade, Stone and some of his new family need to travel to a mysterious ancient formation to prevent humans and the Fell from gaining a great weapon. 

4 stars (out of 4)