Translation StateTranslation State
What it's about
In Ann Leckie's Radch universe, three lives collide: Enae, a diplomat sent on a pointless-seeming search for a translator who disappeared two hundred years ago; Reet, a mechanic who was adopted and has strange urges he's always suppressed; and Qven, a being raised to become a translator for the alien Presger, who doesn't want to be what they were made for.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for both the Hugo and the Nebula. It's a warm, thoughtful space opera about identity and belonging.
You'll love it if you liked
Ancillary Justice
A Fire Upon the Deep
The Goblin EmperorGood to know
It stands alone, though it shares a universe with the Ancillary books. Qven uses invented pronouns.
By the numbers
- Readers46 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics43 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller25 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz51 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #119 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #223 of the 481 new books we rank
- #1252 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Epic, Adventurous
More by Ann Leckie
Ancillary MercyAncillary Justice
Ancillary Sword
ProvenanceIf you like this, read next
The Tainted Cup
A Drop of Corruption
The Will of the Many
The Everlasting
Cloud Cuckoo Land
BabelExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Translation State worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for both the Hugo and the Nebula. It ranks #1,252 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 70.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Translation State about?
In Ann Leckie's Radch universe, three lives collide: Enae, a diplomat sent on a pointless-seeming search for a translator who disappeared two hundred years ago; Reet, a mechanic who was adopted and has strange urges he's always suppressed; and Qven, a being raised to become a translator for the alien Presger, who doesn't want to be what they were made for.
How long does it take to read Translation State?
About 11 hours (422 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Translation State?
If you liked it, try Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge or The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.