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  • Ancillary Justice

  • The Imperial Radch series, Book 1
  • By: Ann Leckie
  • Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
  • Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,222 ratings)
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Ancillary Justice cover art

Ancillary Justice

By: Ann Leckie
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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Summary

The record-breaking debut novel that won every major science fiction award in 2014, Ancillary Justice is the story of a warship trapped in a human body and her search for revenge. 

Ann Leckie is the first author to win the Arthur C. Clarke, the Nebula and the Hugo Award for Best Novel in the same year.

They made me kill thousands, but I only have one target now.

The Radch are conquerors to be feared - resist and they'll turn you into a 'corpse soldier' - one of an army of dead prisoners animated by a warship's AI mind. Whole planets are conquered by their own people.  

The colossal warship called The Justice of Toren has been destroyed - but one ship-possessed soldier has escaped the devastation. Used to controlling thousands of hands, thousands of mouths, The Justice now has only two hands, and one mouth with which to tell her tale.  

But one fragile, human body might just be enough to take revenge against those who destroyed her.

The Imperial Radch trilogy begins with Ancillary Justice, continues in Ancillary Sword and concludes with Ancillary Mercy

Also available now: Provenance is a stunning standalone adventure set in the same world as Ancillary Justice.

©2013 Ann Leckie (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Thrilling, moving and awe-inspiring." (Guardian)

"Signals the arrival of a hard science fiction author who just might fill the gap left by Iain M. Banks. Ancillary Justice is a highly original novel...an intelligent slow-burner. Highly recommended." (Independent on Sunday)

"You will be truly astounded at how Leckie has fully fleshed out a universe and is asking and attempting to answer the difficult questions that many authors never even address in science fiction." (Buzzfeed)

"Unexpected, compelling and very cool - Ann Leckie nails it. I've never met a heroine like Breq before. I consider this a very good thing indeed." (John Scalzi, Hugo Award-winning author of Redshirts)

What listeners say about Ancillary Justice

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just okay

I listened to this book because of the huge number of awards it got. Ann Leckie is technically an excellent writer and the narrator did a very good job with lots of different accents etc for the characters. However although overall I quite enjoyed this book I found it quite dry and I'm not sure why it has won so many awards. I am going to carry on with the series though!

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Worth the effort

This is a very good listen. Just keep in mind it is very hard to keep track of who is who at the beginning due to the genderless language used ('she' is used for everyone). It makes it a very interesting concept to follow along. This book is incredibly unique and worth your time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Challenging & dizzying in equal measure

The story spirals up and out from humble but complec planetary beginnings, but manages to unfold until it reaches across vast distances and epochal timescales. Adjoah Andoah is sublime as usual.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Just the best

This is one of my absolutely favourite books. Having it on audio as well is a treat.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Eloquent, well written but at times dull

A very polished piece of writing, precisely crafted and full of detail. but at times overly long and dull... second half is best.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

Ajoa Andoh‘s graceful rendering of this great Ann Leckie novel adds layer upon layer of pleasure. Very gripping, too!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Excellent narration

The story isn't the easiest to follow but the narrator's use of accents helps a great deal. She does a brilliant job with the complexity of the names, particularly the lesser. I'm not sure the book is up to all the hype -- I've read more exciting SF books but it's intriguing enough. Worth a listen.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Slow but always enjoyable, well crafted

A cleverly put together sci fi that both builds a world and tells a complicated story in bits and pieces, that eventually all comes together. very good

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Audible at its best

I chose this book as I knew it had swept the board winning all the Sci Fi awards a few years ago, and I was not disappointed. The original story line was beautifully read by Andoh and I can't wait to listen to the next installments.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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fantastic

A truly unique and excellent tale withGreat narration.
A must read for all science fiction fans.

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