Ancillary Sword, Ann Leckie
Ancillary Sword has a smaller scale than Ancillary Justice, which actually continues into book three. It’s not that the wider events are forgotten, but it narrows down to the narrow section of space Breq can protect, her ship, and Athoek Station. As with the first book, I liked this more on the second reading — probably because, yes, I did know what to expect, so I could appreciate it better, but also because on reflection I like that Leckie doesn’t try to tackle the huge sweep of events. Instead, she focuses in on Breq and those around her, and keeps it manageable in plot and for the reader to appreciate.
There was less of Seivarden in this book than I remembered, and actually I think I’d have liked to see more of Seivarden. She’s got learning to do, but all the same, I’ve come to appreciate the character. She’s far from perfect, and she’s not even an anti-hero — she’s just a flawed person. But nonetheless, she grows and develops.
Sometimes Breq is a little too… far-seeing. There are things she suspects in this book that only really become obvious in the third book. In retrospect, I enjoy the way things come together, but the first time it felt like Breq was a little too good. But then, of course, she’s not human. She’s an ancillary, and so she thinks differently. I suppose that’s part of what we’re being shown here too.
So, yes, conclusion continues to be: well worth the reread, and definitely as good as or better than I remembered it.
I got this sequel while I was in Paris, at the gorgeous Shakespeare and co bookstore!! I’m so excited to read it finally! Especially knowing you liked it 😀
I love the whole trilogy so much. <3
I just finished this book and I read the first one years ago. Now that you mention it, I was also missing Seivarden! I wanted more of him. I say “him” because I imagine this character male while Breq I see as female. I hope to get to the third book soon.
Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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You’re not wrong — I think the first book mentions that Seivarden is male. I just stick with the book’s own convention because I’d rather not guess (one, I dislike being wrong, and two, I don’t care that much).