Book Summary and Reviews of Radiant Star by Ann Leckie

Radiant Star by Ann Leckie

Radiant Star

by Ann Leckie

  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Published:
  • May 2026, 368 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Space opera's sharpest mind returns to the world of the Imperial Radch in this brilliant standalone from award-winning author Ann Leckie.

The Temporal Location of the Radiant Star has always been a source of both conflict and hope for the people of Ooioiaa. However, the imperial Radch see it only as an inconvenience, an antiquated religious site soon to be absorbed into their own, superior culture. But local politics is complicated, and the Radch have made a final concession: One last man will be allowed to join the mummified bodies in the temporal location to become a "living saint".

But this decision will ripple out to affect every part of the city. Amidst a slowly worsening food shortage, riots, and a communication blackout from the rest of the Radch Empire, a religious savant will entertain visions of his own sainthood, a socialite will discover hir comfortable life upended, and a young man sold into servitude will find unlikely escape.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Perfectly showcases Leckie's tremendous talent for finding small, tender, human stories even in the most expansive of settings. It's an unexpected and delightful turn for the series." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A skillfully rendered, thoughtful offshoot of the original story." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Leckie's latest showcases the ruthless pragmatism and efficiency the Radch is known for, explores issues of colonialism and colonization from both sides, and tells a cracking good story of political shenanigans and skullduggery in desperate circumstances... Highly recommended for readers looking for more of the Radch and for fans of politically charged sci-fi." ―Library Journal (starred review)

This information about Radiant Star was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

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Author Information

Ann Leckie

Ann Leckie is the author of the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke, and British Science Fiction Award winning novel Ancillary Justice. She has worked as a waitress, a receptionist, a rodman on a land surveying crew, and a recording engineer. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

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