Normally I love a good political novel, but this one was too self-serious for me, with its emphasis on poetry and language (which I couldn’t really understand because they are speaking Teixcalaanli but the book is written in English so how can I understand the nuances?), its convoluted plot that I felt was too drawn out and explained things without really explaining anything, and the copious use of its italics which really drove me bonkers.

Also I had high hopes so maybe that’s why my disappointment is more palpable. The idea of the imago should’ve been a bigger part of the story in my opinion. The question of having another conscious in your head brings up all sorts of questions about identity, choice, and personhood. Similarly, the cultures could’ve been fleshed out more, especially with our heroine Mahit as the Lsel “barbarian”and the Teixcalaan empire as the big power in the universe. 

2.5 stars.