Translation State

Ann Leckie

Jun 2023 · Sold by Orbit

About this ebook

The mystery of a missing translator sets three lives on a collision course that will have a ripple effect across the stars in this powerful novel from a Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke award-winning author.

"There are few who write science fiction like Ann Leckie can. There are few who ever could." —John Scalzi 

Qven was created to be a Presger translator. The pride of their Clade, they always had a clear path before them: learn human ways, and eventually, make a match and serve as an intermediary between the dangerous alien Presger and the human worlds. The realization that they might want something else isn't "optimal behavior". It's the type of behavior that results in elimination. 

But Qven rebels. And in doing so, their path collides with those of two others. Enae, a reluctant diplomat whose dead grandmaman has left hir an impossible task as an inheritance: hunting down a fugitive who has been missing for over 200 years. And Reet, an adopted mechanic who is increasingly desperate to learn about his genetic roots—or anything that might explain why he operates so differently from those around him.

As a Conclave of the various species approaches—and the long-standing treaty between the humans and the Presger is on the line—the decisions of all three will have ripple effects across the stars.  

Masterfully merging space adventure and mystery, and a poignant exploration about relationships and belonging, Translation State is a triumphant new standalone story set in the celebrated Imperial Radch universe.

"Leckie’s humane, emotionally intelligent, and deeply perceptive writing makes this tautly plotted adventure feel fundamentally true while also offering longtime fans a much anticipated glimpse into the Radch’s most mysterious species. Readers will be thrilled." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Another of Leckie’s beautiful mergings of the political, philosophical, and personal." —Kirkus (starred review)

Ratings and reviews

I really enjoyed the depth of complexity in her books, and how it gradually leads you to a conclusion and then perfectly slots in facts you didn't understand yet. it reminds me vaguely of Asimov in the way it feels. (and for other readers, sie and hir are just pronouns we don't usually see)

I was interested and pulled up the Google Play Books sample, but in the opening paragraph there are unfixed errors... "hir" instead of "her" and then "sie's" instead of "Sie's". How does a book get published in that kind of state? For those who bought and read the book, is this a problem with the sample being unedited or is the book editing poor?

Fascinating read, engaging and odd. The most unique book I've ever read.

About the author

Ann Leckie is the author of the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke, and British Science Fiction Award winning novel Ancillary Justice. She has worked as a waitress, a receptionist, a rodman on a land surveying crew, and a recording engineer. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.