Ann Leckie's Translation State, a stand-alone entry in the Imperial Radch universe, weaves fascinating alien societies and interstellar governmental intrigue in a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure. Enae Athtur (pronouns sie/hir) spent many years caring for hir now-deceased Grandmaman, who left hir--primarily as a means to provide for hir--a government post. Enae is ostensibly searching for a translator for the Presger, an advanced and mysterious alien race that went missing more than 200 years ago; nobody expects hir to do more than travel and file expenses. When Enae decides to see what happens if sie actually investigates, hir path crosses with Reet Hluid, an orphan whose genetics hint at mysterious origins.
Meanwhile, Qven, on the cusp of adulthood and intended for an important position in their clade, suffers an attack and disgrace. The repercussions only cement Qven's terror at what awaits them in maturity. When all three come together, the result is a legal battle, hinging on what it means to be a person, that threatens a treaty with an alien species so mysterious that conspiracies question their very existence.
Once again, Leckie (Provenance) constructs an intricate science fiction backdrop, otherworldly yet comprehensible, and uses it to ground questions of family, selfhood, and fate. Although Translation State is self-contained, those who have read the trilogy beginning with Ancillary Justice will appreciate seeing some familiar elements of its culture and learning more about the Presger. Fans of philosophical science fiction will be enthralled. --Kristen Allen-Vogel, information services librarian at Dayton Metro Library