Mahit and Yskandr are intended to form a composite, and a key question of the narrative is the extent to which this newly-compiled person remains an individual. I loved the imago concept immediately: a fully sentient personality within Mahit’s consciousness, capable of conversing and at times exercising physical control over their now-shared body. While he has successfully kept the ever-expanding empire out of Stationer space, this older copy of his personality has no idea how he did it. Yskandr Aghavn was the first Ambassador to Teixcalaan, selected – and mistrusted – for his affinity for Teixcalaanli culture. It is a privilege to inherit and continue a respected imago line, as well as an obligation to do it justice.īut new Ambassador Mahit Dzmare carries a freshly-installed imago that’s fifteen years out of date. Embedded in their brains, they carry imago machines, the recorded memories of one or more Stationers, carefully selected for psychological compatibility and integrated over time with judicious psychotherapy. Its people know mining, space flight, and unusual technology. Lsel Station is a small independent state that thrives on natural resources and control of two jump gates.
Tackling themes of identity, colonialism, civilisation and ambition, it’s a heady mix of intimate character work and sweeping world-building. I’ve been excited to pick up Arkady Martine’s debut ever since Aliette de Bodard enthused about it at our SciFiMonth round table last year.
When Teixcalaan requests a new ambassador from Lsel Station and refuses to say why, the Council assume the worst.
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