A Memory Called Empire

When the Teixcalaanli Empire asks that Yskandr Aghavn, the ambassador from Lsel Station, be replaced, Lsel sends Mahit Dzmare—who, like Yskandr, is a devotee of Teixcalaanli culture. Mahit secretly has within her brain an "imago machine" with a recording of Yskandr's memories and consciousness so that he may guide her; however, shortly after their arrival on Teixcalaan, the machine malfunctions, and Yskandr no longer responds. With the aid of her cultural liaison Three Seagrass and Imperial advisor Nineteen Adze, Mahit discovers the connections between the original Yskandr's death and the looming Teixcalaanli succession crisis—and the threat of a civil war, in which Lsel Station could be a target for annexation.

In the New York Times, Amal el-Mohtar reported that the novel explores the intersection between our past and future selves. It looks at language, grammar, and custom, things that are intertwined with the politics of conquest and the broader culture.[2]

The Verge observed that the book discusses how institutional memory guides society and shapes politics, and provides insight into the ideas of conquest and colonialism by comparing the different worldviews of the expansion-minded Teixcalaanli Empire and the fiercely independent Lsel Stationers.[3] Tor.com emphasised the degree to which Mahit is perceived as a "barbarian" by the Teixcalaanli.[4]

The novel received positive reviews from critics. Publishers Weekly gave the novel a starred review, calling it a "gorgeously crafted space opera" and praising the book's worldbuilding and backstory.[5] Kirkus Reviews called the novel "a confident beginning" and compared it positively to the works of Ann Leckie and Yoon Ha Lee.[6] A reviewer for The New York Times called the novel "a mesmerizing debut, sharp as a knife."[2] Andrew Liptak called it "an excellent, gripping novel with a brisk plot, outstanding characters, and plenty to think about long after it’s over."[3] A reviewer for Tor.com called it "a stunning debut", praising its worldbuilding, characterization, and subtlety.[4] The novel is the 2020 Compton Crook award winner. [7]

The novel won the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel,[1] and was a finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Novel of 2019.[8]

• What’s in a Teixcalaanli Name?, on Tor.com