I finally treated myself to Ann Leckie's novel Provenance, which is set in the same universe as her Ancillary Justice trilogy, which I'm realizing now that I neglected to write about here when I read them a few years ago. Luckily for you, my dear readers, I want to re-read them now that I've read Provenance, so expect a post the next time around, for sure. (I'm also realizing I didn't post about Leckie's standalone novel, The Raven Tower, which I finally listened to this fall and which was amazing.) Anyway, you certainly don't need to have read any of her Ancillary novels to enjoy Provenance, as the setting is almost the only common element; the main characters are all new to this story. It's a delightful cross between a caper and a space opera, with a bit of political intrigue for good measure.
One element I've appreciated about all of Leckie's novels is that she doesn't pander to readers or get bogged down in explanations--so prepare to be confused when you start reading! Leckie is a master of taking our assumptions, particularly about gender, and playing with them. To me, this keeps things interesting and makes me curious enough that I'm willing to sit with the confusion--especially since, after reading her first book, I learned that she will reveal all the necessary information in due course, while weaving an intricate, character-driven tale that will leave you thinking about it after you've read the final page.
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