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A Memory Called Empire

Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel
Series: Teixcalaan
4.11 goodreads logo

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( 69,230 ratings, 9,403 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine follows Mahit Dzmare, an ambassador who arrives at the heart of the expansive Teixcalaanli Empire only to find intrigue and danger surrounding the mysterious demise of her predecessor. As she navigates the complexities of foreign politics and cultural tensions, Mahit must uncover the truth while preserving her cultural identity and the independence of her small mining station. The book is a captivating blend of political drama and science fiction, exploring themes of identity, empire, and memory.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate intricate world-building and political intrigue set in a vast interstellar empire. It blends the elements of science fiction with themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and empire dynamics, offering a rich narrative filled with suspense and depth. Perfect for readers who relish complex characters and a story that challenges the boundaries of loyalty and consciousness.

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A tale of empire, intrigue and rebellion with a murder at its heart...

A tale of empire, intrigue and rebellion with a murder at its heart...

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL 2020

In a war of lies, she seeks the truth.

Ambassador Mahit Dzmare travels to the Teixcalaanli Empire's interstellar capital, eager to take up her new post. Yet when she arrives, she discovers her predecessor was murdered. But no one will admit his death wasn't accidental—and she might be next.

Now Mahit must navigate the capital's enticing yet deadly halls of power to discover dangerous truths. While she hunts for the killer, Mahit must somehow prevent the rapacious Empire from annexing her home: a small, fiercely independent mining station.

As she sinks deeper into an alien culture that is all too seductive, Mahit engages in intrigues of her own. She's hiding an extraordinary technological secret, one which might destroy her station and its way of life. Or it might save them from annihilation.

An extraordinary science fiction debut, Arkady Martine's first novel in the Texicalaan series, A Memory Called Empire is perfect for fans of John Scalzi, Becky Chambers and Frank Herbert's Dune.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NEBULA AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL 2020
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD 2020
SHORTLISTED FOR THE GOODREADS CHOICE AWARDS 2019

PRAISE FOR A MEMORY CALLED EMPIRE

'A mesmerizing debut . . . it left me utterly dazzled.' — The New York Times Book Review

'[A] gorgeously crafted diplomatic space opera . . . Readers will eagerly await the planned sequels to this impressive debut.' — Publishers Weekly, starred review

'Exquisite . . . a compelling journey with a rich world and fascinating characters' — The Los Angeles Times

'Interesting, detailed, lavish.' — The Wall Street Journal

'Contender for debut of the year' — SFX Magazine

'A Memory Called Empire perfectly balances action and intrigue with matters of empire and identity. All-round brilliant space opera, I absolutely loved it' — Ann Leckie, author of Ancillary Justice

'Stunning sci-fi debut. An ambassador from a small space station has to survive in the capital of a galactic empire where everyone seems to want her dead. Add in a great will-they-won't-they wlw romantic interest. Awesome' — Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series

Series: Teixcalaan

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  • A Desolation Called Peace
    Hugo Award Finalist for Best Novel 2022 A Desolation Called Peace is the spectacular space opera sequel to A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, winner of the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel. An alien terror could spell our end. An alien threat lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can...
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • A Memory Called Empire
    WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL 2020 In a war of lies, she seeks the truth. Ambassador Mahit Dzmare travels to the Teixcalaanli Empire's interstellar capital, eager to take up her new post. Yet when she arrives, she discovers her predecessor was murdered. But no one will admit his death wasn't accidental—and she might be next. Now Mahit...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine has received glowing reviews for its intricate blend of interstellar intrigue, identity crises, and cultural exchange. Critics highlight it as a stunning debut in the sci-fi genre, praised for its balance of action, political manoeuvring, and an intriguing wlw romantic subplot. The novel is celebrated for its richly imagined universe and thought-provoking themes, with many eager for sequels to this impressive space opera.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529001594

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 January 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Tor

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 330g

Pages: 464

About the Author

Arkady Martine is a speculative fiction writer and, as Dr AnnaLinden Weller, a historian of the Byzantine Empire and an apprentice city planner. Under both names she writes about border politics, rhetoric, propaganda and the edges of the world. Arkady grew up in New York City and, after some time in Turkey, Canada and Sweden, lives in Baltimore with her wife, the author Vivian Shaw.

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    A taut, uncanny sci-fi thriller from Arkady Martine, Hugo Award-winning author of A Memory Called Empire. 'Exquisitely creepy' - Adrian Tchaikovsky, Hugo Award-winning author of the Children of Time series 'I'm a piece of architecture, Detective. How should I know how humans are like to die?' Architect Basit Deniau's houses were haunted to begin with. A house embedded with an...
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    Hugo Award Finalist for Best Novel 2022 A Desolation Called Peace is the spectacular space opera sequel to A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, winner of the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel. An alien terror could spell our end. An alien threat lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can...
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