Lien reviewed Translation State by Ann Leckie
A bit messier than Leckie's other books
3 stars
I liked only some of the characters, some of the time. Chaotic, although some of that chaos was channelled into some exciting moments. I think I'd have enjoyed it a bit more if I read it after Provenance (and the Imperial Radch trilogy). I did like the exploration of the Presger and it made me understand some things in the other books, but I also feel like Translation State could have benefited from something drawing it together a bit more. For Ancillary Justice, that was the protagonist. For Provenance, that was the politics and mystery. If Translation State tries to narrow in on something, perhaps it's the relationship between Presger Translators and humanity, but I don't think it provides the story enough grounding especially in the first half.
