Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC preview excerpt of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I just could not get into this story.... I read the Intro and started in on the first chapter, but after reading and then re-reading multiple paragraphs and pages again and again to try to get some meaning out of what was written, I gave up and decided to put this one down.

The character names were extremely difficult to pronounce and keep track of - they were too long and too unpronounceable - so I was getting confused about who was who... Then names of gates were introduced and I was getting confused between people and places...

The introduction into the story was difficult to follow - there was no build up - there was no history - there was no interest, just a bunch of people in a room... something about an Empire trying to take over the stars and a ship flying through space... Why should I care? What is the point? The author was unsuccessful in capturing my interest and making me want to continue to read...

I'm super dissapointed that I could not get the story and enjoy the read... I truly had high hopes and wanted to enjoy this excerpt, but I guess this novel is just not for me.

Accidentally downloaded the excerpt. Read the first page and was intrigued, but will read the entire book and give my entire review there.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately it was only a Preview, not the whole book!
I thought it was the whole book and I was very unpleasantly surprised when it ended very abruptly just as things were starting to pick up and form together. I am definitely going to want to read the whole thing when it is published.
This book is cleverly written, interesting, and funny. I like the sardonic approach of the main character to this "sci-fi" world where she is almost as much of an "alien" as we are. The characters are fully-realized, interesting, and distinct. I'm definitely curious to see where this plot is going

I’ve been following updates about this novel for the last few months. Not just because of the promising synopsis but also because of the great cover it has. ‘A Memory Called Empire’ is the first novel from the North American writer Arkady Martine. An ambitious book full of details and also a bit challenging at the beginning. However, once you get familiar with it, I don’t think it is difficult to follow and enjoy.
The book starts when the Lsel ambassador in Teixcalaan is found dead. Mahit Dzmare is the new ambassador assigned to the position. When she reaches her new status she will found out that the death of Yskandr covers a complex plot of betrayals, revenges and secrets. These are the key elements in the novel and finding out who and why has committed the murder is the main topic along the novel.
Opposite to what I thought before starting reading, this is not a galactic adventures novel, nor an interplanetary travelling or space battles novel. However, these are mentioned in some kind of brief introductions to each of the chapters which allows the reader to have some context of what is going on but they are not the main topic. Arkady Martine has written a political novel based on secrets owned by the powerful people of Teixcalaan and Lsel. Because of that, most of the novel takes place in closed and luxury places, where the decisions that affects the people are taken. Dialogues and silences of the powerful guide the resolution of the mystery in the novel.
‘A Memory Called Empire’ has a never-ending list of features which can be discussed for long and all are included very smoothly in the novel. Mahit, the main character, carries a secret implant inside her body with the memories of her predecessor. However, the last fifteen years are not included as the memory is not working properly and it will make the management of the knowledge within much more difficult. Very soon in the novel the questions will start arising. Was this memories intentionally hidden? How can this memories be recovered? And finally, what can fascinate us the most, what is the power that these implants can give you and what are the complications?
The novel is also full of Teixcalaan terminology which, although unknown, allows the reader to understand the rules and structure of this world and culture. One of the best thing of this read is figuring out how to properly communicate with the Teixcalaans and how they react to some events. As a complement the novel has a very useful appendix at the end of the book. I highly suggest keeping an eye on it while reading the book. And don’t be scared if you are unable to pronounce some of them!
In addition to this, the novel has multiple socio-political views. Since how the Teixcalaan government is structured and how they manage their society to how a small planet like Lsel fights to avoid being colonised by the powerful Teixcalaans. Keeping your own culture, language, identity and being independent sometimes requires to reject some other advantages. Religion, ethics and honour are not missed within the topics in the novel.
The novel is not perfect. The pace during the second third of the novel drops after an exciting start, lowering the expectations created in the beginning. Fortunately, the last quarter of the novel reveals most of the secrets making the read much more effective and increasing the interest. Although it is at the expense of some decision and events which draws attention.
It is worth mentioning that ‘A Memory Called Empire’ is just told from the point of view of Mahit, something I am not convinced about the result. I really think that another point of view would have been an interesting addition to the way the novel is being told and some of the events that take place.
In the end, I would recommend reading ‘A Memory Called Empire’. The novel catches you with a powerful beginning, an ambitious world rich on details, even with a few elements I disliked. A world pending being expanded in future releases. Personally, I will come back to Teixcalaan with the next book.

Very excited for this book. Love the preview. Grand space opera is one of my favorite genres. Hoping the final book lives up to the preview.

Even though this is just a teaser, I fell right away into the book and the world and absolutely cannot wait to read the rest. The concepts and world developed in the first few chapters had me hooked completely.

This was an excerpt only, but it was well written and held my interest - I will be reading the whole thing when it's available!

In this preview of the debut novel for Arkady Martine, A Memory Called Empire, I was treated to some in depth world building, an MC I loved and an exciting plot. I am totally hooked. This is going to be a great series, I can feel it.
Because I only read the preview, the suspense is killing me. I have to know happens. That’s the thing about previews, while I love getting a taste of what is to come, the down side is the wait. I am hoping I will be able to get my hands on the complete ARC or galley copy before the publication date.
I know this is a rather abbreviated review, but remember, I did get only a preview. Here is the synopsis according to the publisher.
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.
I received the preview for free from the publisher, via NetGalley. In addition, my rating is based on the review alone. I reserve the right to change my rating once I have read the book in its entirety.

I received a free e-copy preview excerpt of this book from NetGalley. I did not read the entire book, but there was enough to get a sense of the world, the plot, and the characters.

I love some great SF, technological, space opera, etc. It's usually a fun time reading about all the ways people think humanity may evolve (or could have evolved in different star systems). The beginning of this excerpt was pretty confusing, but once I got a few chapters in it became a little easier to navigate. While I was interested enough to keep going, I don't know if I will end up picking up a full copy to get the rest of the story.

My primary issue was with the naming system on the planet. It didn't make any sense, and the names were all absolutely ridiculous. One of the main characters was Three Seagrass, and she was making fun of someone who had named himself Thirty-Six All-Terrain Tundra Vehicle, and explaining that someone who named himself Two-E Asteroid was being subtly satiric. I didn't get it. I also couldn't figure out how to pronounce half of the made-up words, but that's a problem I encounter frequently, so I just glossed over them and didn't try to sound them out in my head. But the names!!! Ugh.

The story starts to get interesting just around where the excerpt ends - there's a bombing in the square (or wherever Mahit and Three Seagrass were), and she's being led off to meet one of the emperor's right-hand people (??). I don't know what ranks mean what in the grand scheme of things, and was hoping to glean more of that from the subtext, but it was more than a bit confusing. I was curious to see who set off the bomb, what it had to do with Mahit, and whether Twelve Azalea was a friend or a spy. Not curious enough to buy a copy. If it lands in my library reserve pile, I will update my review on Goodreads accordingly.

The following post will be published on 12/6/18:

I’m super excited to get into A Memory Called Empire. I was able to preview the first few chapters (thanks NetGalley!) and it’s all of the following and so much more:

1. An Epic Space Opera
You can check all of the boxes on this one. An intergalactic superpower that threatens to take over the entire universe? Check. A mysterious murder that implicates the highest levels of government? Check. A strong woman determined to get to the bottom of the lies and deceit? Check.

2. A Mind-Blowing City
The novel features a city that rivals most of the sci-fi cities I’ve been introduced to this year. It’s nearly planet-sized, filled with fascinating architecture, mile-high buildings and more tech than you can throw a stick at. The city itself is alive — citizens actually connect themselves to it mentally and it occasionally attacks people. Wild and epic, right?

3. Great Integration of Technology
There’s a lot of tech used in the novel, as there should be in a true space opera. I was most impressed by the usage of implanted technology that enhances a person’s intelligence and memory. The thought of carrying around the memories of ten people dating back decades or centuries is both intriguing and horrifying.

4. Most Importantly, A Solid Story
This isn’t just bells and whistles. It’s a well-developed world and storyline, featuring an in-depth culture that truly shines. The writing is solid, filled with the intrigue of a murder mystery, the intelligence of a political novel, and the tech-savvy language of a sci-fi novel.

I urge you to check it out when it’s released in March. It’s the first in what I’m sure will be a trilogy, and you won’t be disappointed!

While I received only an excerpt, this book clearly is a space opera based upon the level of detail explored in the world building. Any author that has time to discuss the semantics of alien poetry in a serious fashion (the Vogon poetry in Hitchhiker's Guide was satire) clearly is not in a rush to tell the tale. I would not pick up the entire book, as space operas are not my thing, the author explores the genre well.

I read the entire excerpt of A Memory Called Empire in one sitting. I loved it that much. I’m also happy to say that I just got approved to review the full novel as well – which is good news, as now I won’t be pulling my hair out for the next few months.
This novel is so different and standout from everything else I’ve read. I love the application of culture and politics in what is otherwise a science fiction series. It’s a brilliant move. All the unexpected twists are a nice touch as well, such as the people living on space stations being considered backwards and primitive. I also love that they covered the lack of resources a long term space station would come across. Honestly, I loved all the details included. It’s clear that the author spent a lot of time thinking about all the minutiae of this world. It’s what made it all feel so real.
Naturally the excerpt had to stop at some point. There really was no way to cut it perfectly. Either they cut it too early and don’t give us time to get attached, or the gut it once we’re engaged in the plot. The drawback for that of course being that it usually means we’re in the thick of things by then. I prefer the latter, personally. I want a chance to get to know the story. This except clearly agreed. Now I just can’t wait to continue reading and see what happens next!

Incredibly intriguing excerpt focusing on politics and space opera intrigue. Can't wait to read the full thing when it comes out.

Lou Jacobs's Reviews > A Memory Called Empire

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan, #1)
by Arkady Martine (Goodreads Author)
M 50x66
Lou Jacobs's review Nov 19, 2018 · edit
really liked it

Admittedly I didn't realize this was only an excerpt ... this is just too much of a tease. Even though I would still give it a 4 star on the basis of the the obvious narrative skills revealed in only 4 chapters. A young ambassador is sent to an alien world to replace the former ambassador with little understanding of her mission or the cause of the demise of her counterpart. She is armed with a mind implant of the former's ambassadors memories (last downloaded well before his demise) ... this is an interesting concept somewhat reminiscent of the AI implant into individuals in Richard Morgan's excellent book: "Altered Carbon". In only 4 chapters Martine begins to lay groundwork for an interesting world building experience. I will certainly look out for the completed book when published
Thanks to Netgallley for supplying this brief excerpt in exchange for my honest incomplete review.

From the 4 chapters I've read, I'm intrigued. There's a lot I like, there's a couple things I don't. I like the story. I like the concept. Even though I'm not usually for political type stories, this one has pulled me in and I will still be interested to read the full book when it comes out. I agree with another reviewer though that the names tend to make me stumble some. And I consider my vocabulary to be pretty robust, but I still find myself double checking many meanings and straight out having to look up meanings for a few words I've never seen. If you struggle with larger words and either don't have a dictionary close or aren't on digital to quickly pull up a definition, this book probably isn't for you.

Interesting excerpt but hard to actually rate the book without reading the whole thing, I'll edit my star rating once I'll have been able to finish it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this excerpt and would love to read the full novel.

Essentially, a young ambassador is sent from a space station to an alien world (that she has studied) carrying in her head the memories (though outdated) of the previous ambassador.

When she arrives, she learns that her predecessor died, and a violent attack (on a meeting she was holding with her predecessor's assistant) occurs.

That's certainly enough to arouse a reader's interest and it's well written, with excellent world building.

This is just an excerpt of the book available for preview and without reading the full book I can't really rate and review accurately but nice start to the story.

The only problem with reading a preview excerpt this good is that the wait for the rest feels too far off. I very much look forward to the main in 2019.

I saw that the main setting for this was a planetary ecumenopolis and that's kind of my science fiction setting thing (Coruscant, I see you!) and also the main character is from a space station (my second favourite science fiction setting!), so I had to get my hands and eyes on whatever I could as soon as I could. Like Ada Palmer's Too Like the Lightning, this is a bit otherworldly and takes a chapter or two to get hold of but then all you want to do is keep going. I'm glad that I now have familiarized myself with how characters are named in The City and the mystery of what's happened to Yskandar (or rather that something has indeed happened to Yskandar). I even laughed a bit and am already hoping for a trio to be friendship goals and working together to find answers (I mean, they shared all those truths over a corpse so that has to be binding, right?). I do wonder if some readers would benefit from a glossary for in-universe words used here but on the other hand, not having one does make it more immersive and forces one to just work it out and get on with it. Not sure just a thought I had.

I've no idea if the entire galley will be on wider offer before publication day, but I do know I'll be thrilled to read the rest of this early or on publication day.

I grabbed this ARC before I realized it was only an excerpt. I simultaneously rejoiced and was dismayed: this is a gorgeous book, a book with an eye for the seductions of literature and art, and a mystery that makes things harder and twistier than they first appear. I want the rest of it yesterday, and can't have it.