Ann Leckie has been on my science fiction TBR for a long, long time now. I desperately need to read her Imperial Radch Series, including her 2024 Hugo-nominated novel Translation State. For that series, though, I want to start at the beginning. So where do I start with Ann Leckie until then? An anthology of her short fiction works perfectly.

Amazon / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke award-winner Ann Leckie is a modern master of the SFF genre, forever changing its landscape with her groundbreaking ideas and powerful voice. Now, available for the first time comes the complete collection of Leckie’s short fiction, including a brand new novelette,  Lake of Souls.

Journey across the stars of the Imperial Radch universe.

Listen to the words of the Old Gods that ruled  The Raven Tower.

Learn the secrets of the mysterious Lake of Souls.

And so much more, in this masterfully wide-ranging and immersive short fiction collection from award-winning author Ann Leckie. 

Review:

Lake of Souls is divided into three sections: short fiction from the Imperial Radch Universe, short fiction from the Universe of The Raven Tower, and a third section of stories without an overarching universe tying them together. if you came to this review for info on the short stories from the sections from the Imperial Radch Universe or The Raven Tower Universe, you’re in the wrong spot. Because I haven’t read those books yet, I didn’t want to dive into those stories yet.

However, I did read every single one of the original short fiction, and they were mind-blowing. Of the short stories, the following were the standouts for me:

• “Lake of Souls” – This titular novelette is nearly worth the price of the anthology by itself. This story explores humanity and names and souls. What makes a person? What makes an animal? I want more in this world.

• “The Justified” – This story made me want to pump my fists in the air and yell with rage and justice. It’s political and vengeful and masterful. As it is equal parts science fiction and dystopian, this story was made for me.

• “Hesperia and Glory” – There is not a well in his cellar. And if there was, it certainly isn’t there now. And the well certainly didn’t lead anywhere. Right?

• “The Sad History of the Tearless Onion” – a quick and witty flash fiction piece about the creation of a modified onion breed. As a gardener, this one hit close to home and I adored it.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re at all interested in Ann Leckie’s work, you need Lake of Souls. If you like science fiction, you absolutely need to read this collection. I’m now completely obsessed with Leckie’s witty brand of writing, and I can’t wait to pick up more of her work. Once I dive headfirst into the Imperial Radch series, I will definitely return to the other short stories in this collection.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Thanks to Orbit for providing me with an arc!