Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
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.
Tags
Is Radiant Star appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 14 and up.
This thoughtful space opera explores colonialism and cultural conflict through multiple perspectives. Violence includes riots and political unrest; no sexual content; complex themes of imperialism and servitude require mature readers.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include slavery, class struggle, and political violence.
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Teens interested in complex political science fiction with multiple interconnected storylines will enjoy following how different characters navigate cultural conflict and social upheaval.