A debut novel of grand scope and elegant complexity, Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire is an immersive, slow-burning space opera weaving themes of cultural identity, legacy, memory and linguistics into a tight story of courtly intrigue. Growing up on the remote Lsel Station, Mahit Dzmare always dreamed of visiting the vast, sophisticated Teixcalaani Empire, but when she finds herself sent to Teixcalaan as Lsel’s new ambassador she’s thrown into imperial politics at a uniquely dangerous moment. Tensions in the empire are high, the future of Lsel’s autonomy from Teixcalaan is at stake, and Mahit’s predecessor is dead – likely murdered. At risk, with no allies and carrying – in secret – a dangerous, but malfunctioning technology, Mahit must adapt quickly if she wants to survive and thrive in the empire.
