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Ancillary Sword
Imperial Radch
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AS: Part 2: Chapter 5 - Chapter 9
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Something strange is going on. I have no good guesses as to what, but I'm interested to find out.
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The ancillary is using excessive force. I'm finding the interaction between Breq and the ancillary interesting.
There seems as something bigger going on. Why are some people in hiding? Is it just a freedom thing?
I was thinking the people were in hiding because of the colonization - they don't want to get implants and be "citizens". I like the interaction between Breq and the ancillary too - it doesn't realize how much she understands it.
Its interesting that Breq chose to stay down below also - I'm guessing that is because she too doesn't want to be monitored. It is funny how obedient her staff is, setting her up in this place that doesn't even have running water.
I can't remember why Breq was sent to this particular planet, other than maybe because it was the only place she'd agree to go because of Lt. Awn's relative? I'm to the part right before she goes to the dinner party - I'm guessing Breq will continue with her extreme rudeness to the tea-seller. And maybe we'll learn more about dishes...:)
Oh, I liked how the Bo contingent on the ship picked up on own of Breq's songs, but kind of just sang what they THOUGHT the words were - total nonsense. Maybe because through the years I've certainly done the same with songs on the radio. The whole ships crew is singing more now.
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Breq goes to see Lt. Awn's and make her her heir. She's none too happy about it though.
It's early yet, but I think we're seeing a common facet of colonialism here - societies like this while appearing "civilized" are actually a house of cards. The obvious ethnic tension with one group openly collaborating with the Radch and the other less so would indicate that.
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I'm liking the book so far to this point, but maybe not as much as Ancillary Justice. I mentioned in another group that I wondered if I would have liked AJ as much if I had read it after I became aware of all the awards and hype. I think I'm reading this one with a slightly more critical eye because I'm coming in with such (perhaps unfairly) high expectations.
The ideas in this book and this series are what impress me more so than the writing. I slow down and pay a bit more attention during certain passages, like whenever Breq is talking about what it was like for her to have been an ancillary. Maybe I should save these more general impressions for the final discussions, but these are the thoughts I'm having now at this point in the book.
As far as specific thoughts about things that happened in these chapters:
I'm not sure why Breq chose to stay in the undergarden either. Just to avoid Station being all up in her business I guess, as Suzanne mentioned?
I like books that make the reader think about various social issues, when handled more subtly and deftly. The social commentary is getting a little heavy handed to this point in this book though. Breq is really playing that hero of the people role and sticking it to the man, isn't she!
Breq is starting to feel like a bit of a Mary Sue at this point also (if I'm using that term correctly). She seems to almost effortlessly know the answer to everything and be 2 steps ahead of everyone else... which is partially explained by the fact that she's former ancillary/AI with access to information sources that regular humans aren't. Also, being as old as she is will just make you smarter than most people I guess. Even so, I tend to not like overly competent characters for whom things come too easy.
The ideas in this book and this series are what impress me more so than the writing. I slow down and pay a bit more attention during certain passages, like whenever Breq is talking about what it was like for her to have been an ancillary. Maybe I should save these more general impressions for the final discussions, but these are the thoughts I'm having now at this point in the book.
As far as specific thoughts about things that happened in these chapters:
I'm not sure why Breq chose to stay in the undergarden either. Just to avoid Station being all up in her business I guess, as Suzanne mentioned?
I like books that make the reader think about various social issues, when handled more subtly and deftly. The social commentary is getting a little heavy handed to this point in this book though. Breq is really playing that hero of the people role and sticking it to the man, isn't she!
Breq is starting to feel like a bit of a Mary Sue at this point also (if I'm using that term correctly). She seems to almost effortlessly know the answer to everything and be 2 steps ahead of everyone else... which is partially explained by the fact that she's former ancillary/AI with access to information sources that regular humans aren't. Also, being as old as she is will just make you smarter than most people I guess. Even so, I tend to not like overly competent characters for whom things come too easy.
Andy wrote: "I'm not sure why Breq chose to stay in the undergarden either. Just to avoid Station being all up in her business I guess, as Suzanne mentioned?"My thoughts on this are in the Chapter 10 thread.
Andy wrote: "Breq is starting to feel like a bit of a Mary Sue at this point also (if I'm using that term correctly). She seems to almost effortlessly know the answer to everything and be 2 steps ahead of everyone else... which is partially explained by the fact that she's former ancillary/AI with access to information sources that regular humans aren't. Also, being as old as she is will just make you smarter than most people I guess. Even so, I tend to not like overly competent characters for whom things come too easy. "And my thoughts on this one are in my comments on the last chapter.
Long story short I agree with you completely. While Breq was a sole survivor pursuing a hopeless quest she is a very sympathetic character.
As a booster for the underdog in this book she's still sympathetic, but it's not exactly compelling drama when she is in such a strong position.
Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Chapter 5 - Chapter 9.
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Please do not discuss events from later chapters/books. Referring back to events from a previous section/book is fine.