Imperial Radch Trilogy
by Ann Leckie · first published 2017
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
Space opera with a fresh take on AI and identity, praised for thought-provoking themes like total surveillance and a protagonist who treats it as ordinary; suits sci-fi fans wanting something less conventional.
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If you are a sci-fi fan, an interesting new trilogy to read is the Imperial Radch trilogy by Anne Leckie starting with Ancillary Justice. One of the interesting themes is that everyone is surveilled totally and intimately down to even their feelings, but it's not the point of the book and…
on “If You're Not Paranoid, You're Crazy” ↗Here they are for easier reference: * Worlds To Get Lost In - The Imperial Radch Trilogy https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ann-leckie/the-impe... - The Dead Djinn Universe (series) https://publishing.tor.com/amasterofdjinn-dbtmp1230658/97812... - The Age of Madness Trilogy https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/joe-abercrombie/a-l...…
on “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of the Past Decade” ↗I would contend that the genre has moved on in a stylistic sense, but is still pretty robust: Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach trilogy, Finch); Ann Leckie (The Imperial Radch trilogy); China Miéville (Embassytown) are three I can think of immediately.
on “Brian Aldiss has died” ↗…"Ancillary Mercy" and they've all been amazing and incredibly though-provoking books. Leckie released a book, "Provenance", this year that takes place in the same universe and at the same time as the "Imperial Radch" trilogy; haven't read it yet but it's definitely on my list.
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2017?” ↗old but good short stories The Defenders by Philip K. Dick a different take - Second Variety by Philip K. Dick. Not totally omniscient AI but running large ships and space stations - Imperial Radch trilogy by Ann Leckie AIs with personality running almost every machine and helping rule the empire in the Culture series by Iain Banks.
on “Attempts to scientifically “rationalize” policy may be damaging democracy” ↗…your problem is with the thin portrayal of women, and you like a more conventional Space Opera kind of thing, Atwood isn't interested in "robots and spaceships and all that" so maybe try Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch trilogy ("Ancillary Justice" etc.)
on “We are all nerds: The literary works of Neal Stephenson” ↗