Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie, Book #3 of the Imperial Radch series
Introduction
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie is the third book of the Imperial Radch series and the last book of the original trilogy. The Lord of the Radch Anaader Mianaai, appoints Breq as Fleet Captain. Breq’s mission is to secure the Athoek system for the Lord’s side in the civil war that threatens the Radch, Breq solved the mystery related to disappearing Athoek transportees. Can Breq secure the system or will Breq lose the system to Anaader’s rival?
Summary – Ancillary Justice and Ancillary Sword
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie is about Breq, who was once the starship Justice of Toren a thousand years ago but is now limited to one body, an ancillary. Breq confronted Anaader Mianaai, the Lord of the Radch in the novel Ancillary Justice. Afterward, the Lord appoints Breq as Fleet Captain and assigns Breq to the ship, Mercy of Kalr. Breq’s mission is to secure the Athoek system for the Lord’s side in the civil war that threatens the Radch. Breq’s senior Lieutenant on the Mercy of Kalr is Seivarden Vendaai, who assisted Breq in the novel Ancillary Justice.
In Ancillary Sword, Breq takes over the Athoek Station, a space station orbiting the system’s habitable planet. Breq found Basnaaid, who is a horticulturist in the garden area of the station. She is the sister of Lieutenant Awn, someone who Breq loved but was unavoidably killed by Breq and Breq tries to make amends with her. Breq learns of the deplorable conditions in a part of the station called the Undergarden. Breq discovers a plot related to disappearing Athoek transportees. A death complicates Breq’s investigation and Breq goes to the planet’s surface at a tea plantation to continue the investigation. The Athotek overseers exploit the workers. After an assassination plot against Breq is foiled, Breq discovers the leaders of the transportee plot and acts.
Summary – Ancillary Mercy
In Ancillary Mercy, the author resolves the three remaining subplots from Ancillary Sword. Breq resolves the mystery of what was on the other side of the Ghost system wormhole, and the result has an important effect on the civil war. The Presger is a technologically advanced civilization that could impose its will on humanity, but a treaty bounds them. A Presger translator interprets the treaty and Breq must navigate a delicate situation or face the Presger’s wrath. Breq resolves the civil war.
Recommendation
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie resolves the subplots raised in Ancillary Sword. Breq’s mission was vague, go to Athoek and secure it for the Radch. In Ancillary Sword, the author left three subplots unresolved. The subplots involved the Ghost system, the Preger translator, and the civil war. The author examined each subplot and Breq solved each challenge.
I view this trilogy as two unique books. Breq’s single-minded search for vengeance drove Ancillary Justice. Ancillary Sword was the introduction to the themes completed in Ancillary Mercy. The two books were a contemplative study in Breq’s navigation through a series of diplomatic situations. It exemplifies this change in tone by the focus on serving tea and collecting tea sets. The strength of the series is in the ideas of an exploration of the nature of the self, how to relate to oppressed people, and the absence of gender.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23533039-ancillary-mercy
In Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie, Breq is on a mission for the Lord of the Radch in the Athoek system. Breq must discover why Athoek transportees are disappearing. Breq risks losing the system to the Lord’s rival to solve the mystery. This is a link to my review.
In Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, Breq plans her revenge on the Lord of the Radch. Her plans are in jeopardy when Breq befriends the disgraced former Captain Seivarden Vendaai. Will Breq carry out her goals or will the powerful Lord defeat her? This is a link to my review.