Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

The Blurb On The Back:

On a remote, icy planet, the soldier known as Breq is drawing closer to completing her quest.

Breq is both more than she seems and less than she was. Years ago, she was the Justice of Toren – a colossal starship and an artificial intelligence controlling thousands of soldiers in the service of the Radch, the empire that conquered the galaxy.

An act of treachery has ripped it all away, leaving her with only one fragile human body. But that might just be enough to take revenge against those who destroyed her.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Ann Leckie’s critically acclaimed debut SF novel has won the Arthur C Clarke Award and a Hugo (to name but two). It’s a technically accomplished, intelligent piece of writing that mixes genders for its protagonists (something I particularly liked) and I really admired how Leckie handles the POV shifts as Breq pilots different bodies in different locations. I also enjoyed the detail given on the Radch Empire, how it operates and how it came into being – there’s a lot of attention to detail here and it’s cleverly put together. However, the revenge plot is very thin and the central twist was familiar to me (but only because I have previously read A FACE LIKE GLASS by Frances Hardinge, which uses a similar device). I also found Breq and Seivarden difficult to engage with, Breq because s/he is largely emotionless and Seivarden because s/he’s so self-absorbed. Also, the conclusion to the book just wasn’t high enough stakes for me and felt slightly anti-climatic. Ultimately, I think this is one of those books that I didn’t get along with – not because it’s a bad book but because it didn’t appeal to me. As such, I’m not going to rush to read the sequel but if you’re looking for an intelligent piece of well-written SF, then you should definitely check it out.

The Rough Guide To Japan by Simon Richmond and Jan Dodd

The Blurb On The Back:

Make the most of your time in Japan.

From the sleek, neon-drenched hubbub of cities like Tokyo, to the more laidback charms of rural Shikoku or rugged Hokkaido, Japan is enthralling – a fascinating mix of ancient and modern, ethereal and other-worldly. With opulent imperial palaces, calm Zen gardens, cutting edge galleries and boisterous festivals around almost every corner, the Rough Guide To Japan helps you get to the heart of this captivating country. Illuminating writing and in-depth listings give you the lowdown on trendy shopping districts, stunning hikes, traditional inns and where to sample the finest sushi and sake on offer.

- Stroll the tranquil Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto.
- Hit Niseko’s slopes for stellar skiing and snowboarding.
- Immerse yourself in one of Beppu’s many famed onsen.
- Go tropical in Okinawa at one of Taketomi-jima’s beaches.
- Absorb the tradition and pageantry of a kabuki performance.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

If you’re looking for a general introduction to Japan, this is a good starting point but it’s not a book to take with you – it’s too heavy and the maps aren’t good enough. I’d recommend using it to do your research and then preload specific sites and maps onto a phone or tablet so that you can get around more effectively. Note that Rough Guides issued a new version in September 2014, which I’d suggest checking out instead of this.