Chloe McDermott

A memory called empire by Arkady Martine is a space opera, that follows Mahit Dzmare, the young ambassador from Lsel, an independent space station, to the vast Teixcalaan empire. She is tasked with finding out what happened to her predecessor and try to keep the empire from taking over Lsel.

The book’s plot occurs within a week and throws the reader in the deep end as we follow our main protagonist as she figures out what happened to her predecessor, Yskander Aghavn. In her efforts to find out what happened to him, she discovers plots to overthrow the current reigning emperor. Aswell as a plot from her own government to sabotage the unique technology of her culture that was promised to the emperor. In unravelling this plot the reader delves into a compelling narrative full of political intrigue and mystery. All of which is wrapped up in rich worldbuilding that only furthers to highlight its themes.

Usually, when reviewing media I don’t focus on worldbuilding. I often find it the least interesting thing to talk about; however, in this instance it became an integral part for me falling in love with this book. Martine delivers her worldbuilding not in laborious lore drops but folded into the overarching narrative. Nothing is superfluous.

When building up the readers understanding our protagonist’s station or Teixcalaan Martine ensures that we can get enough information from our characters directly. Either from action or dialogue. It is a testament to her skill as a storyteller that she can utilise plot points or moments of character interaction with efficiency. For example, there is the first time we encounter the character Nineteen Adze, with her introduction given a full honorific: “Whose smile shines brighter that the edge shine of a knife.”

It is a moment that gives the reader an excellent view of how this empire operates. Poetry, which is something, embedded into this empire’s culture and thus effectively communicating to the reader her level of importance. It also reveals the closeness to the emperor himself by virtue of him being the only other character we know of to have a similar honorific at this point in the story.

Characterisation is handled in a similar fashion. Small subtle moments are amplified to expand the readers understanding of both Lsel and Teixcalaan. This is most often explored when the characters Mahit and Three Seagrass (cultural liaison) interact. She has written both with distinct voices. Most importantly these voices are informed by a deep understanding of how each of their backgrounds contrast each other.

Three Seagrass was embedded in Teixcalaan culture and can pull poetic verse on almost every topic out of thin air and the ambassador cannot. Despite all her education and best efforts.

Mahit often has moments within the text where she feels pulled between her home and the empire. Her thoughts about loving a culture that often reminds her she is the “other” are painfully realistic. She consistently feels insecure about her inadequacies and comparing herself to the imperial citizens. One way she is ‘othered’ consistently is through her explanations and defence of the imago machine. Something often completely misunderstood or downright vilified by Teixcalaan. In one scene, her friends explain to her that from the empire’s perspective this imago machine is immoral.

Throughout the story we learn the costs of loving a culture devouring your own. The fetishisation of your people and cultural and the effects it has on your sense of identity. We grapple with the impact of tradition and narrative upon a nation. The books serve so many instances of character and plot points which will further amplify and explore these themes in a deeply sober and nuanced way.

Yet, at the same time the reader manages to also compel the reader to keep turning those pages as the plot continues to snowball as our main characters try to catch up. Not once did I feel bored or that a scene was dragging on. It is a uniquely satisfying experience that felt more like sitting down to nourishing, healthy meal than entertainment. I thoroughly look forward to reading the next book in the duology, a desolation called peace.