The novel “Ancillary Sword” by Ann Leckie was published for the first time in 2014. It’s the second book in the Imperial Radch series and follows “Ancillary Justice”. It won the BSFA and Locus awards as best novel of the year.

Breq was appointed Fleet Captain by Anaander Mianaai, the Lord of the Radch, or rather by a part of her, as her personality has fragmented into many bodies. In charge of a fleet of starships, Breq is ordered to go to Athoek Station, where she must protect the nearby system from possible attacks that could come from another faction of the Lord of the Radch or from foreign powers.

The system near Athoek Station and the station itself have been part of the Radchaai empire for centuries but Breq still finds problems there that are consequences of its annexation. Lieutenant Awn’s sister also lives there, and Breq makes her an offer that she feels she owes her. Breq’s presence is not appreciated by someone, but it’s not easy to understand from which side the dangers may come.