Ancillary Mercy

Ancillary Mercy

Author	Ann Leckie
Cover artist	John Harris
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Science fiction
Publisher	Orbit Books
Publication date	6 October 2015
Media type	Print (paperback) Ebook Audiobook
ISBN	978-0-356-50242-7
Preceded by	Ancillary Sword

Ancillary Mercy is a science fiction novel by the American writer Ann Leckie, published in October 2015. It is the final novel in Leckie's "Imperial Radch" space opera trilogy, which began with Ancillary Justice (2013) and was followed by Ancillary Sword (2014).

Synopsis

While searching Athoek Station's slums, Fleet Captain Breq finds someone who appears to be an ancillary from a ship that has been hiding beyond the Radch's reach for three thousand years. Meanwhile, a messenger from the alien and mysterious Presger empire arrives, as does Breq's enemy, the reactionary faction of the divided Anaander Mianaai – ruler of an empire at war with herself.

Anaander is heavily armed and unhappy with Breq. Breq could take her ship and flee, but that would leave everyone at Athoek Station in danger. Breq has a desperate plan to directly confront Anaander while saving the people of Athoek Station using her Presger weapon to try to take out Anaander's ships.

Reception

Kirkus Reviews says the novel "Wraps up the story arc with plenty of room to tell many more tales in this universe. Let's hope Leckie does." The reviewer appreciated how the novel shows that a small group of people can have an impact on a galaxy-spanning empire, and the delivery of the message was deft and meaningful.