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A Memory Called Empire

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A Memory Called Empire

By: Arkady Martine
Narrated by: Amy Landon
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About this listen

Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel

'I absolutely loved it' – Ann Leckie, author of Ancillary Justice

In a war of lies, she seeks the truth. An epic, queer space opera, A Memory Called Empire is the astonishing debut novel from Arkady Martine.

Ambassador Mahit Dzmare travels to the Teixcalaanli Empire’s interstellar capital, eager to take up her new post. Yet when she arrives, she discovers her predecessor was murdered. But no one will admit his death wasn’t accidental – and she might be next.

Now Mahit must navigate the capital’s enticing yet deadly halls of power, to discover dangerous truths. And, while she hunts for the killer, Mahit must somehow prevent the rapacious Empire from annexing her home: a small, fiercely independent mining station.

As she sinks deeper into an alien culture that is all too seductive, Mahit engages in intrigues of her own. For she is hiding an extraordinary technological secret – one which might destroy her station and its way of life. Or it might save them from annihilation.

A Memory Called Empire is the first in the Teixcalaan duology. It is followed by A Desolation Called Peace.

‘Contender for debut of the year’ - SFX Magazine

Shortlisted for the 2020 Arthur C. Clarke Award

Shortlisted for the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards

Perfect for those who loved Ann Leckie's epic space opera Ancillary Justice, Tamsyn Muir's Gideon the Ninth and Iain M. Banks’s Culture novels.

 Military Science Fiction Space Opera Fiction

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Critic reviews

Stunning sci-fi debut. An ambassador from a small space station has to survive in the capital of a galactic empire where everyone seems to want her dead. Add in a great will-they-won’t-they wlw romantic interest. Awesome (Rick Riordan)
A Memory Called Empire perfectly balances action and intrigue with matters of empire and identity. All-round brilliant space opera, I absolutely loved it (Ann Leckie, author of Ancillary Justice and Translation State)
Arkady is one of the best new voices in speculative fiction (Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Lords of Uncreation)
A cutting, beautiful, human adventure about cultural exchange, identity, and intrigue. The best SF novel I’ve read in the last five years (Yoon Ha Lee, author of the Machineries of Empire series)
An intricate, layered tale of empire, personal ambition, political obligations and interstellar intrigue. Vivid and delightfully inventive (Aliette de Bodard, author of A Fire Born of Exile)
An elegant and accomplished example of the subgenre of subtle scheming with a background of stars. A delightful read. I couldn’t put it down (Jo Walton)
An exceptional first novel recommended for fans of Cherryh, Leckie, Banks, and Asimov (Elizabeth Bear)
A cunningly plotted, richly imagined tale of interstellar intrigue that does something new with space opera (Ken MacLeod)
In A Memory Called Empire Arkady Martine smuggles you into her interstellar diplomatic pouch, and takes you on the most thrilling ride ever. This book has everything I love: identity crises, unlikely romance, complicated politics, and cunning adventurers. Super-fun, and ultra-fascinating (Charlie Jane Anders)
A Memory Called Empire is a murder mystery wrapped up in a political space opera, and deeply immerses the reader in a unique culture and society. I very much enjoyed it and look forward to what Martine does next (Martha Wells)
A Memory Called Empire is both deeply thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining . . . I can’t wait to find out what happens next (James Oswald)
Exquisite and smart as hell (Fran Wilde)
Arkady Martine’s first novel is a thrillingly smart space opera with grand scope. Everything’s here: plots and counterplots, political manoeuvring, great writing, and brilliant ideas on language and empire. Like Iain M. Banks, she’s created a universe that can spawn a hundred books. Hop on now, people (Daryl Gregory)
Gorgeously crafted . . . Martine allows the backstory to unroll slowly . . . walking delicately upon the tightrope of intrigue and partisan battles in the streets to safely bring the tale to a poignantly true conclusion. Readers will eagerly await the planned sequels to this impressive debut (Publishers Weekly starred review)
All stars
Most relevant
Lots of reviews slating the readers performance, it's not that bad but it's pretty poor and certainly detracts from the story.

The story itself is fine, far from great but not terrible. There's lots of telling and not much showing. The characterisation is solid but not any more than that. The fact that this book won awards tells you all you need to know about book awards. In fairness it's reasonably well paced and there are a few interesting concept in play. Hold this up next to a Dan Abnett, China Mieville or M. John Harrison work however and it just feels dull and inconsequential.

mediocre

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Really enjoyable story that takes you through the political complexity of a society that we can recognize in ourselves but that is also very different. Would recommend

You are taken on a journey with this gal

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An engrossing glimpse into a universe of intrigue, diplomatic manoeuvre and the nature of the self. Reminiscent of Clarke, Leckie and Asimov at their peak. Highly recommended.

Enthralling

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A number of reviews I read criticised the narration of this book. I was concerned about that so listened to sample first and heard no issues. Having listened to the whole book I’m puzzled about different perceptions of what we hear. What was to me a coolly narrated story, but still expressive with each character having their own voice, was to others quite mechanical. I can only suggest that if you are concerned you too listen to a sample.

As far as the story itself was concerned; after the initial impression of information overload I was drawn in and definitely would want to read any sequels, which I’m sure will be forthcoming, there being a number of threads left loose to be picked up later without damaging the plot of this book. Two societies are shown ,but the space station society is only seen in its role as a contrast to the planet base empire. Will we see more of it next time, or learn more of the city’s algorithm?

Engaging and well narrated

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Before listening to this I read a few criticisms about the narrator’s tone of voice but I disagree completely - on the surface it is cold and analytical (like many of the characters in the book) but this allows more impact in the moments of sensitivity which break through the facade.

Huge, detailed and brilliant

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