A Memory Called Empire

This is a novel written with impressive confidence and fluency, which feels up to date in style and yet recognizably falls into the tradition of science fiction as we know it. Mahit's initial situation as a vulnerable envoy reminded me vaguely of [b:The Left Hand of Darkness 18423 The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula K. Le Guin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488213612l/18423.SY75.jpg 817527]; later on I was reminded vaguely of [a:Samuel R. Delany 49111 Samuel R. Delany https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1516722468p2/49111.jpg]; and perhaps the author would acknowledge such influences in a general sense, but she's gone on to create something original that's her own.The story seems to get off to a slow start, but in fact Mahit Dzmare (the protagonist) is always under pressure from the situation and the plot, though the pressure gradually increases as time goes on. There's more action and excitement in the second half.Rather cleverly, the author has given the Teixcalaanli characters names that seem outlandish to us, but which consist of normal words—translated from Texicalaanli to English for our convenience, so they're easy to pronounce and relatively feasible to remember (although it's a bit of a struggle at first). However, the Lsel characters (such as Mahit) have names that are just names.I like this book and I'm glad to have encountered it: it's a fine and recommendable example of modern sf. It's complete in itself and doesn't really need a sequel, but I see it's due to get one, and no doubt I'll read that too.Mild criticisms:1. The interactions between characters can be quite likeable and engaging, but the characters themselves are mostly too driven and dedicated for normal people to identify with them easily. Furthermore, as a result of the situation and the plot, they're constantly under stress and never get a chance to relax, which makes me feel uncomfortable in sympathy.2. The idea of a far-future interstellar civilization with a powerful Emperor (and sun temples!) seems anachronistic—not impossible, it could happen, but I find it somewhat implausible. I hope that future humans will invent new political structures that we haven't yet thought of, not fall back on old ones that we've already discarded.The title of the book seems meaningless to me. Memory and Empire are both important to the story, but memory is not called empire in any way I can think of.