Radiant Star
- 301
- Pages
- about 6 h
- Reading time
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About the book
Space opera's sharpest mind returns to the world of the Imperial Radch in this brilliant standalone from award-winning author Ann Leckie. The Temporal Location of the Radiant Star has always been a source of both conflict and hope for the people of Ooioiaa. However, the imperial Radch see it only as an inconvenience, an antiquated religious site soon to be absorbed into their own, superior culture. But local politics is complicated, and the Radch have made one last concession: One last man will be allowed to join the mummified bodies in the temporal location to become a "living saint". But this one decision will ripple out to affect every part of the city. Amidst a slowly worsening food shortage, riots, and a communication blackout from the rest of the Radch Empire, a religious savant will entertain visions of his own sainthood, a socialite will discover zer comfortable life upended, and a young man sold into servitude will find unlikely escape.
Where the score comes from
The sources average 7.6 across 39 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 17% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Rankings average of 7.8. That is how 7.7 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardcover | 7.6 | 39 | 100% |
Reader voices
The most-liked reviews on Hardcover (credited to their authors).
“Politics, religion, imperial ambitions, and personal greed intersect in this stand-alone installment of the Imperial Radch series. This is the first Imperial Radch book I've read and if this is indicative of the rest of the series, then I must say I'm not sure what the fuss is about. The story itself is interesting, but it's dragged out unnecessarily and the characters are poorly developed. If Radiant Star had been a novella, I would probably have given it four stars; as a novel, its maundering makes three stars feel generous. Received via NetGalley.”
“Radiant Star is a thoughtful and intricately layered return to the world of the Imperial Radch, blending political tension, religion, and social unrest into a quietly compelling story. Ann Leckie once again excels at creating a world that feels deeply lived in, where every personal decision ripples outward into larger cultural and political consequences. I especially enjoyed how the novel explored faith and identity through multiple perspectives, from the would-be saint to the socialite and the servant trying to navigate a society on the verge of collapse. The atmosphere of growing instability…”
Frequently asked
What is Radiant Star rated?
7.7 out of 10, from 39 reader ratings across 1 independent sources.
Is Radiant Star worth reading?
Readers give it 7.7/10 from 39 ratings in open sources.
How long does it take to read Radiant Star?
About 6 hours at an average reading pace — 301 pages.