Science Fiction
Provenance has been sitting on my Want to Read shelf for the usual reason: Ann Leckie, but stand-alone. That combination is annoyingly effective.
I keep pausing at books like this and asking the useful question, which is whether the book stands on its own or whether the series world is doing half the work. Sometimes that’s a fair trade. Sometimes it isn’t. Leckie tends to make atmosphere count, so this one feels like it may be worth the risk.
I keep pausing at books like this and asking the useful question, which is whether the book stands on its own or whether the series world is doing half the work. Sometimes that’s a fair trade. Sometimes it isn’t. Leckie tends to make atmosphere count, so this one feels like it may be worth the risk.
Standalone can be a bit of a trap label with Leckie. It promises freedom, but it also raises the awkward question of whether the worldbuilding will still feel complete without the longer arc doing the heavy lifting.
That said, a space opera that can carry atmosphere on its own terms is usually the better bet for me than one that needs a glossary and a prayer.
That said, a space opera that can carry atmosphere on its own terms is usually the better bet for me than one that needs a glossary and a prayer.