February marks part 3 of the Imperial Radch read-a-long, which started in November last year, and also the first time I’m joining in, as they are now reading book 3 – Ancillary Mercy. I had already read the previous two books, so I’m just joining in for the conclusion to the trilogy!

Every week, there are a set number of chapters to read, and the host for the week will post questions for people to answer!

Week 1 Questions – Azrah @ Quintessentially Bookish 
Week 2 Questions – Nicole @ The Bookwyrm Knits 
Week 3 Questions – Annemieke @A Dance With Books
Week 4 Questions – Mayri @ The Bookforager

Without further ado, let’s take a look at my thoughts for week 1!

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. THIS IS NOT A SPOILER-FREE POST. SPOILERS FOR THE WHOLE SERIES UP TO CHAPTER 5 OF ANCILLARY MERCY POSSIBLE!

General Thoughts

So far, I’m really enjoying this story. I’ve been reading some pretty slow-paced and devastating stuff (in a good way), so this is a nice change of pace. I will have to force myself not to binge-read the book so that I can answer each week’s questions as they come!

Many thanks to Azrah @Quintessentially Bookish for this week’s questions. I’m trying to give my raw thoughts on this, so I’m holding off on reading any other posts until I’ve posted mine – so my thoughts may change depending on what other people suggest!

Captain Uemi, still one gate away, has sent ahead a message about the fall of Tstur Palace into the hand of the “other” Mianaai as well as a warning that she is likely to be sending someone after Breq. Any thoughts on how you think things will play out in this final book of the series?

There’s got to be some sort of conclusion to the whole different-Mianaais-pulling-the-empire-apart issue, right? In an ideal world, it would be the thorough dismantling of an imperial system with support to reinstate local rule in an anti-colonial and equality-promoting way. However, I very much doubt that ends up being the result, not least because plenty of the annexed areas have very much bought into the colonial mindset, not to mention all the various local Radchaai governors etc., and all the issues between local groups that we can see even just in the Athoek system. I am very intrigued to see what route Leckie decides to take this plot point down, though.

Breq’s big reveal of being an ancillary has disrupted the status quo on Mercy of Kalr, how do you think Breq’s little household is going to hold up? What are your thoughts on how Ship has taken this new information?

I think that it will take them some time to get used to and might affect their relationships, but they’ll come through it stronger and more cohesive. In particular, I think it might affect relationships with Ship, and I’m very interested if it changes their overall attitude or method of engaging with Ship and Station AIs.

An ancillary from the other side of the ghost gate has been mysteriously hiding in the Undergarden and is now doing it’s best to rile up Mercy of Kalr and Breq’s ancillaries hmmm… what do you think Sphene is truly up to?

Honestly – it could be anything. However, I kind of like the vibes Sphene gives off and I’m very interested in finding out. It would be kind of cool if they end up being an ally to Breq?

Another Presger has arrived to Athoek Station! What are your first impressions of Presger Translator Zeiat?

Zeiat (or is she Zeiat?) is a very interesting character in that I have no idea what to make of her (or the Presger translators in general). Do they just spawn into existence when they step off the ships? Or do they not need food to live? I’m so intrigued, and maybe I’m forgetting some key information from pervious books (it has been a while), but I think we might get a better idea of what the Presger are all about in this book and I’m looking forward to it.

So the priests are striking, the citizens are queueing, the Undergarden resident want one of their own to run their liaison office instead of Tisarwat… along with everything already touched on above who/what do you think is going to cause Breq the most trouble in the days to come?

Before the last few pages or so of chapter 5, I would have said the personal issues of Breq’s household/crew would end up causing her the most trouble – and I still think that there is the possibility for this, and that certainly any trouble that arises there will give Breq the most emotional strain, but in terms of political trouble I think we’re looking at either the Governor, or potentially the Translator if she decides to throw a curveball! Things could really go any way at this point, though, and I think the easier question would be who is not going to cause Breq a ton of trouble.

And that’s it for week 1 of the read-along! I’m now off to go and read everyone else’s answers!

Keira x

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