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Translation State

Shortlisted for the Hugo Award for Best Novel 2024

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Translation State

By: Ann Leckie
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, June 2023.

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

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 new novel by award-winning author Ann Leckie.

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". I'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 Leckie's 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)©2023 Ann Leckie Fantasy First Contact Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Fiction
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I missed this world so much! Very happy to add this to my repeat listen category

A+++ Ann Leckie and Ando combo

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Just like its predecessor, Provenance, this story is exciting, thoughtful, and ends like a warm hug. I love Leckie’s emphasis on self-determination and growth in her main characters. Adjoa Andoh’s reading is always perfect, so expressive and she manages to give each person just the right spin of personality. Betonen especially was brilliantly realised. Another excellent instalment into the Ancillary universe, I can’t wait for more.

A warm Mom hug

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I love all these books. The stories are absorbing and the characters believable. The narrator is perfection.

The narration

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very novel alien biology, the way the translators "match" -two beings becoming one person in two bodies - like a romance told in body horror. Great diversity in the characters, love the pronouns. great accents from the narrator. I haven't read any other books by this author but I'm very keen to, now.

the weirdest love story

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This book reminds me of other titles of the author in the way that it focuses on identity search, all the story anchored solidly within a science fiction narrative. It also reminded me of Embassytown by China Mieville, and Anathem by Neil Stephenson. A very good book!!

The nature of identity

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