Translation State

By: Ann Leckie

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The mystery of a missing translator sets three lives on a collision course that will have a ripple effect across the stars in this powerful novel from a Hugo and Nebula award-winning author: "There are few who write science fiction like Ann Leckie can" (John Scalzi).

Qven was created to be a Presger translator. The pride of their Clade, they always had a clear path before them: learn human ways, and eventually, make a match and serve as an intermediary between the dangerous alien Presger and the human worlds. The realization that they might want something else isn't "optimal behavior". I's the type of behavior that results in elimination.

But Qven rebels. And in doing so, their path collides with those of two others. Enae, a reluctant diplomat whose dead grandmaman has left hir an impossible task as an inheritance: hunting down a fugitive who has been missing for over 200 years. And Reet, an adopted mechanic who is increasingly desperate to learn about his genetic roots—or anything that might explain why he operates so differently from those around him.

As a Conclave of the various species approaches—and the long-standing treaty between the humans and the Presger is on the line—the decisions of all three will have ripple effects across the stars.

Masterfully merging space adventure and mystery, and a poignant exploration about relationships and belonging, Translation State is a triumphant new standalone story set in Leckie's celebrated Imperial Radch universe.

©2023 Ann Leckie (P)2023 Orbit

Critic reviews

"Andoh expertly navigates the emotional depths of the three main characters, each of whom comes from a background in which they have not felt valued or part of their community. . . .As all three claim their identities and start to heal, Andoh’s performance resonates in profound way.”—AudioFile (Starred Review)

Strange but good

This might have been better to read than listen to …. I got lost occasionally and I’m sure I missed some things just because there is so much going on and because some concepts are quite different. Trying to understand the alien culture and physiology while immersed in a story about beings who don’t quite fit that norm. Very creative. Very glad I listened to it and think I will revisit it in a few months.

Excellent book

The tone, methods, and overall story were perfect. The author can often be boring with nothing interesting happening for chapters/hours. This is not one of those books. Something interesting happens every chapter. This book should be fun to read for anyone truly interested in sci-fi from linguistics, biology, physics, philosophy, or just cool stories.

Marvelous!

What an excellent book this is. And the narrator is sublime. They did such great voices! Added immeasurably to this already wonderful book.
Highly recommend if you love sci-fi that scratches your itch for alien anthropology and NEW ideas. I loved it.

Another Homerun!

I could listen to the narrator and the author endlessly!! And I absolutely adore universe

Miss Marple in Space

The last thing I expected was a cozy mystery/adventure yarn in the transition of Agatha Christie but set in space, but here we are, and I LOVED every page! Don’t miss out. Different but similar to the other connected novels, this one was maybe a bit less bombastic but more comfortable. 8/8 fancy teacups

This series just keeps getting better

I was engaged from the get-go and it never let up. I can’t wait for the next adventure set in this remarkable world Locke has built.

Enjoyable but not perfect

Really liked it. There are some things about the writing style that just don’t quite appeal to me, but that is very minimal. Don’t love the voice actor much.

A Smart, Compelling Read

I love both Ann Leckie and Adjoa Ando, so I knew from the start that this was going to be a fun ride. It's a pleasant book with charming, winning characters. But it's also more than that-- its themes of identity; of what we owe ourselves and others; of how communities collide, enhance, and hurt each other; of family and loneliness-- keep playing in my mind. I appreciate that Leckie's books always simultaneously please my heart and yet make me think, and that her prose is so thoughtful and well constructed.

Great narration

Cute story with big themes and likable characters … even the murderous ones. Exceptionally good narrator.

Everything you wanted to know about translators

What an incredible novel that manages to tell you a lot of veeeery fascinating details about the translators by way of a great story with amazing characters, and even some characters we've met before make a guest appearance.