Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Hexarchate Stories by Yoon Ha Lee Hexarchate Stories (Machineries of Empire #4) by Yoon Ha Lee. You may have noticed that I’ve listed this anthology as book 4, that’s not because I don’t know how trilogies work, it’s because Hexarchate Stories contains a novella ( Glass Cannon ) set after the events of Revenant Gun (the third book of the Machineries of Empire trilogy). I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, but I got sick, lost track of time, and only ended up starting it after it had been released. The good news is if this review makes you desperately want to read Hexarchate Stories , you can! Good cover, eye-catching, if a little generic. I really want a ninefox crowned with eyes or an ashhawk on something, but I get that that might imply more of a fantasy novel; and this is definitely sci-fi. From New York Times best-selling author Yoon Ha Lee! The essential short story collection set in the universe of the Hugo Award nominated Machineries of Empire series! An ex-Kel art thief has to save the world from a galaxy-shattering prototype weapon… A general outnumbered eight-to-one must outsmart his opponent… A renegade returns from seclusion to bury an old comrade… From the incredible imagination of Hugo- and Arthur C. Clarke-nominated author Yoon Ha Lee comes a collection of stories set in the world of the best-selling Ninefox Gambit. Showcasing Lee’s extraordinary imagination, this collection takes you to the very beginnings of the hexarchate’s history and reveals new never- before-seen stories. Any of you who have read my book recommendations know that I love Yoon Ha Lee’s Machineries of Empire trilogy. This collection was amazing (no surprise), though the title is a little misleading—a number of stories are set in the heptarchate. I wouldn’t recommend anyone who hasn’t already experienced the wonder of the Machineries of Empire trilogy read Hexarchate Stories , only because without the background of the previous three books, a lot of the short stories could be confusing, or not enjoyed to their fullest. Glass Cannon in particular follows on from Revenant Gun in such a way that I actually ended up reading it straight afterwards to remind myself of the events of the book (review to come), and only ended up half convincing myself to re-read the first two books as well. There is a fascinating variety of short stories included in this book, from delicate open-ended poetry ( How the Andan Court) to action packed adventure-comedy ( Extracurricular Activities ); flash fiction that gives glimpses into some of the Machineries of Empire trilogy’s best characters ( Hunting Trip ) to entirely unexpected, but well-written erotica ( Gloves ). Gamer’s End even dips in to second person, and shows once and for all that Yoon Ha Lee is an incredible author, with pretty much boundless range. The author’s notes after each story are one of the highlights of the book, mentioning the inspiration for certain habits, characters or scenes; and providing insight into Yoon Ha Lee’s personality and past. It was fascinating, and it made me want to be a better writer. The constant among the stories in this collection is the impeccable world building, gripping character development and diverse cultures and characters that fans of Yoon Ha Lee have come to expect. Almost every significant character from the Machineries of Empire trilogy has a moment to shine, with Jedao’s past being explored in the most detail. Cheris is not ignored, however, nor are various servitors and side characters from the series 1 , even Mikodez’s green onion gets a mention. Glass Cannon deserves its own mini review, because it is essentially the follow up to the Machineries of Empire trilogy, and it has made me incredibly sad that there probably won’t be any further novels, especially because the plot lines and complications introduced in Glass Cannon could easily become at least one more book. I want more! The plot is fast paced and interesting, with Jedao and Cheris’s viewpoints alternating throughout the novella. Some questions Revenant Gun left open are answered, other answers are implied or hinted at, and a lot of complications that I hadn’t considered are brought up. Cheris, Jedao and several other characters I’m not going to name to avoid spoilers interact in fascinating new ways, and we get to see Mikodez out of his depth for once. There are moments of levity, some fascinating, unique situations surrounding responsibility and morality, and one of the most classic science fiction questions of all: what makes us human? Without spoiling too much, I’ll say that one of the (many) injustices left in place at the end of Revenant Gun causing people to hate Jedao (himself included) is cleared up a little in this book. He and Cheris don’t become friends, I think that would be too much to ask, but by the end of Glass Cannon , I think they understand each other a little better. Glass Cannon is a satisfying, entertaining read, with plenty of angst, humour and action. In all, a great conclusion to the Machineries of Empire trilogy, I’m just sad that it has to end. I cannot recommend this book highly enough; Yoon Ha Lee is the author that made me give science fiction a chance. Anyone who loves science fiction will definitely find plenty to enjoy in Hexarchate Stories , but I also believe that anyone who enjoys great characterisation and ethical dilemmas in the vein of Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series will also find plenty to enjoy. Anyone who enjoyed the military drama of RF Kuang’s Poppy War should consider reading this series. People who enjoy the political intrigue and personal anguish of Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra series, those who loved the unique magic systems and morally grey world of Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders or Farseer novels, and basically anyone with enough patience to immerse themselves in a nuanced and incredible world filled with fascinating characters should read this book, just make sure you read the Machineries of Empire trilogy first. 1 This really is an anthology for fans, and I feel the need to reiterate—if you’re intrigued by this review and want to read the anthology, read the trilogy first! You won’t regret it. Hexarchate Scribe: An Introduction to Yoon Ha Lee’s Fiction. Yoon Ha Lee's Hexarchate Stories is out this month, so we're taking a broader look at this Hugo nominated author's work. Weapons that tear holes in reality, letting in thousands of eyes and teeth. Military strategies depending on clocks and calculus. Yoon Ha Lee’s Hexarchate series brings truly unique world-building to space opera. Baroque and character-driven, his series is also governed by strict mathematical laws. Reading a Yoon Ha Lee novel feels a bit like playing a video game: navigating ever-changing hallways, waiting for the time to be right for an exotic attack to clear the field. His latest work, the short fiction collection Hexarchate Stories , doesn’t necessarily stand alone. Several of the stories are reprints set in the same universe, while others are brand new. A novella continues where the last novel left off. Lee is a prolific writer of flash fiction, fanfic-style prompts that fill in his original universe, and games. But to lay the groundwork for Hexarchate Stories , it may the best for a reader to start with the trilogy. Here’s where to begin… Ad – content continues below. Ninefox Gambit , published in 2016, tells the story of soldier Kel Cheris, a captain in the wide-reaching armies of the Hexarchate empire. She becomes reluctant host to the disembodied spirit of Shuos Jedao, the “arch-traitor,” a strategic genius who turned on his own army. He can’t do math to save his life, so Cheris is a walking calculator for him too — and, gradually, a driving force in rebellion against the empire. Ninefox Gambit was awarded the Locus Award for best first novel, and nominated for both Hugo and Nebula awards. This isn’t the first time Lee published fiction set in the Hexarchate universe, but I’ll explain more of that below. Along with the calendrical mechanics, another main aspect of the world building are the factions. With all the personality-test appeal of Hogwarts houses and none of the coziness, they divide some but not all of the citizenry into specialities. Kel is the name of a faction, not Cheris’ given name. Tensions and intrigues between factions give the series a whiff of comedy-of-manners, all set against the backdrop of gory, hostile science fiction. The trilogy continues with Raven Stratagem (2017) and Revenant Gun (2018). With their initial rebellion successful, the combined Cheris and Jedao now need to deal with the day-to-day consequences of having taken over a command ship. It’s another solid, complex novel, if very much a middle chapter. New characters both explain more about the factions and show strong, entertaining personalities. Ad – content continues below. Revenant Gun moves away from Cheris’ story. She’s present, but the majority of the book follows a clone of Jedao, one with none of his predecessor’s guile or trauma. He’s a blank slate, perhaps the only truly innocent person in the series, and he kicks off a conversation about how a person learns to have a strong moral code while living in a casually amoral empire.