A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace: The Teixcalaan Series

Teixcalaan #1-2

by Arkady Martine

This ebundle A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace.The action-packed space opera series from Arkady Martine, Teixcalaan, blends mystery and adventure on an interstellar scale. In the first book, A Memory Called Empire, the new Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the ever-expanding Teixcalaanli Empire only to realize that her predecessor’s death, occurring at the height of political instability, was no accident. Acclimatizing to an alien culture, tracking down the murderer of the former ambassador to their small but independent mining community, and saving herself from harm’s way, makes for a riveting debut that will leave readers “utterly dazzled.”— New York Times Book ReviewA Memory Called Empire: Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire only to discover that her predecessor, the previous ambassador from their small but fiercely independent mining Station, has died. But no one will admit that his death wasn't an accident—or that Mahit might be next to die, during a time of political instability in the highest echelons of the imperial court. Now, Mahit must discover who is behind the murder, rescue herself, and save her Station from Teixcalaan's unceasing expansion—all while navigating an alien culture that is all too seductive, engaging in intrigues of her own, and hiding a deadly technological secret—one that might spell the end of her Station and her way of life—or rescue it from annihilation.A Desolation Called Peace: An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can destroy it, and Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus is running out of options. In a desperate attempt at diplomacy with the mysterious invaders, the fleet captain has sent for a diplomatic envoy. Now Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass—still reeling from the recent upheaval in the Empire—face the impossible task of trying to communicate with a hostile entity. Their failure will guarantee millions of deaths in an endless war. Their success might prevent Teixcalaan’s destruction—and allow the empire to continue its rapacious expansion. Or it might create something far stranger . . .At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Audiobook

987 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Colin Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these

[s · Rating 4 out of 5]

“So much of who we are is what we remember and retell”

4 ⭑

A Memory Called Empire is, the first book in the Teixcalaan duology, when I picked up this book I never expected to like it this much, it was just that good. I instantly bought the second volume called A Desolation Called Peace, it was as good, maybe even better.
This science-fiction series is about remembering the pasts, legacy, colonialism, languages and so many other themes… I loved everything about the books and wished there was more to this series, the word-building is incredible and if you know me (I expect you don’t) you know i’m a sucker for good world-building and science-fiction I just couldn’t not love this series.
In these books we follow Mahit Dzarme, the main character from a small mining station, she’s the ambassador of her station and holds the legacy of other ambassadors. Once she arrives in the center of the Teixcalaanli Empire she meets Three Seagrass there, she is her liaison, her job is to follow Mahit and help her adapt to her new life, their relationship really expends as the series nears its end. Once on Teixcalaan she discovers the previous ambassador has died, begins the long search of trying to understand how and why he died and save her station from colonisation, which is her main mission.
The characters and their relationship are so interesting, they have real depth to them, their development is truly incredible with a touch of romance.
Arkady Martine’s writing is on point, it is so good I aspire to be as good to be honest, she tells her story with so much confidence it’s amazing..!
I could go on for hours trying to make you want to read this book but i am going to leave you the chance to experience it..!

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some intrigue, espionage, empire building, foreign relations, and cultural assimilation all wrapped up in a science fiction duology. A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace took some cliché aspects for alien races that reminded me of a blend of several episodes of Star Trek (Next Generation) but alloyed them to a few interesting characters and dropped them into a plot (or pair of plots) that explore the machinations of diplomacy in such a singular way that took my focus off the clichés. The characters at the center of the story, Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass, did not win me over at first but as the plot progressed, I became more engrossed in their development. What really worked for me in these stories was the multiple perspectives on imperialism from different sides, the empire builders and those that are absorbed. I would recommend this duology to someone who prefers their sci-fi with a dose of allegory. (3.5/5)

[Laura Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read both of these books one after the other and enjoyed them. I use my own system to keep track of everything I have read and how much I enjoyed it. I pretty much only post on Goodreads if I liked a book. I don't see any reason to post criticism about books I did not enjoy. These were both surprisingly good books. I usually stick to Hugo and Nebula award winners, which mostly are enjoyable but not always. I have not heard of Arkady Martine before but I hope to hear more from this author.

[Sarah Lump]

I loved the poetic texicalanitsims, the city, and the fungus

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best sci-fi books I've read!

[Tai · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent tale, with just delightfully poetic writing, a real gem.

[Zeko Madson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all: Galactic Politics, hot aliens, sketchy medical procedures. 10/10.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

前段時間拖拖拉拉把第二部看完了，因為第二部加了太多新角色的視角，加上劇情總有種雷聲大雨點小的感覺。各種勾心鬥角後期看得有點頭暈，不排除是我很不會記人名的緣故（而且書裡帝國的人名系統跟現實差滿多的）。
但我還是滿喜歡這部作品的，尤其做為帝國邊陲的居民（喜歡中國文化的台灣人），真的好容易跟主角、也就是來自太空站的瑪熙特共情喔。邊陲小國努力保有自主性的掙扎，想到現在的狀況，讓我好想哭。
關於帝國、殖民、記憶的思考，內部與外部都有自我與他者的辯證；最喜歡的，其實還是這個世界完全的性別平等，更展示出多樣的親密關係，無論性別、年齡、階級、國族。
作者是拜占庭帝國研究學者，泰斯凱蘭帝國世界觀建構也相應的華麗細緻，反覆強調泰斯凱蘭語中「帝國」便等同「世界」，對應到東亞，大概便是所謂的「天下」。
最後，主角有戀愛劇情，是女同，讚。