Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Solaris (2017), 400 pages
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. When the hexarchate's gifted young captain Kel Cheris summoned the ghost of the long-dead General Shuos Jedao to help her put down a rebellion, she didn't reckon on his breaking free of centuries of imprisonment - and possessing her. Even worse, the enemy Hafn are invading, and Jedao takes over General Kel Khiruev's fleet, which was tasked with stopping them. Only one of Khiruev's subordinates, Lieutenant Colonel Kel Brezan, seems to be able to resist the influence of the brilliant but psychotic Jedao. Jedao claims to be interested in defending the hexarchate, but can Khiruev or Brezan trust him? For that matter, will the hexarchate's masters wipe out the entire fleet to destroy the rogue general?
Media reviews
It’s a novel that balances the deeply personal and the wider world. It also prompts big questions about genocide, the idea of what immortality and everlasting power does to people, and whether anything is excusable in pursuit of the greater good.
There’s always the question with sequels of whether they will live up to the first book in the trilogy. Happily, Raven Stratagem delivers more of Lee’s signature mixture of military matters and mathematics in spades.
Raven Stratagem certainly shows symptoms of Middle Book Syndrome—with the bulk of the novel made of of political maneuvering required to set up the following novel—and some readers might find its shift from Ninefox Gambit’s more frenetic and action-packed plot to something slower and more
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philosophical a tad disappointing. It worked for me, however, and I thought that Lee found a nice sense of balance between big SF and personal conflict, which was rather precarious during Ninefox Gambit. As any good sequel does, Raven Stratagem doubles down on what made Ninefox Gambit so great, and polishes away its imperfections. Show Less
Raven Stratagem more than lives up to the promise of its predecessor, continuing the intriguing double-sided story of Shuos Jedao, the enigmatic tactician reborn and looking to make things right once and for all. It is a challenging read, but it’s not all philosophizing and waxing poetically
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about scattering of stars in the Hexarchate. There’s a ton of action, and when it hits, it hits hard. There’s literally a climactic battle in which two space fleets just throw math at each other, and it’s spectacular. Only a mad genius could pull off that maneuver in style—and that madman’s name is Yoon Ha Lee. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member raschneid
A fun book, and certainly an easier read than Ninefox Gambit. Lee still makes the reader do a lot of the work, but the first few chapters do contain some strategic exposition to get us up to speed.
I thought the stratagem in question was pulled off pretty effectively, making for a tense and engaging
I think I love the Kel, despite not generally being a fan of military SF. This entire book hinges on the fact that the Kel power structure is absurdly easy to hijack, and while I find this a bit silly, it's a flavor of silly that is extremely on-brand for the Kel. Really this series could just be one continuous Kel joke and I would enjoy it.
I did miss the elements of horror that permeated Ninefox Gambit. There are effective moments here—a man folding up like origami, the weird semi-organic constructs in the Hofn ships—but on the whole I did not have the same visceral sense of the brutality of this world. Mikodez, of course, is a bleak character, but I found his arc slow and difficult to engage with, and perhaps because I bounced off him, I just did not find the hexarchs very compelling.
I do enjoy the tone of these novels—not exactly grimdark, as the novels have a pretty clear sense of morality, but certainly a world where there aren't good choices available. I'll be interested to see how the trilogy concludes.
I thought the stratagem in question was pulled off pretty effectively, making for a tense and engaging
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read. The hexarchate is perhaps not the most menacing antagonist, and there were moments when I wish I had a better sense of the rules of the world, but it was still an entertaining mix of political and military strategy. Khiruev and Brezan, our protagonists in this volume, are competent and sympathetic, and I genuinely want to know what happens next to them.I think I love the Kel, despite not generally being a fan of military SF. This entire book hinges on the fact that the Kel power structure is absurdly easy to hijack, and while I find this a bit silly, it's a flavor of silly that is extremely on-brand for the Kel. Really this series could just be one continuous Kel joke and I would enjoy it.
I did miss the elements of horror that permeated Ninefox Gambit. There are effective moments here—a man folding up like origami, the weird semi-organic constructs in the Hofn ships—but on the whole I did not have the same visceral sense of the brutality of this world. Mikodez, of course, is a bleak character, but I found his arc slow and difficult to engage with, and perhaps because I bounced off him, I just did not find the hexarchs very compelling.
I do enjoy the tone of these novels—not exactly grimdark, as the novels have a pretty clear sense of morality, but certainly a world where there aren't good choices available. I'll be interested to see how the trilogy concludes.
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LibraryThing member Dokfintong
I'm a latecomer to the work of Yoon Ha Lee and didn't really know that "Raven Stratagem" is Machineries of Empire book 2. While I was reading I didn't even notice any gaps, I thought it was Mr. Lee's writing style that asked me to reach for understanding.
As probably everyone but me knows, Yoon Ha
You should read this series because the writing is of a high quality, the world building is super good, and the stories Mr. Lee tells are gripping.
I received a review copy of "Raven Stratagem" by Yoon Ha Lee (Rebellion/Solaris) through NetGalley.com.
As probably everyone but me knows, Yoon Ha
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Lee is a whiz of a writer who is up for a Nebula for "Revenant Gun" the third of the Machineries of Empire series. I liked Raven Stratagem and I have hunted up a copy of book 1 "Ninefox Gambit" (GREAT TITLE) and got a copy of "Revenant Gun" from NetGalley that I will read this week.You should read this series because the writing is of a high quality, the world building is super good, and the stories Mr. Lee tells are gripping.
I received a review copy of "Raven Stratagem" by Yoon Ha Lee (Rebellion/Solaris) through NetGalley.com.
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LibraryThing member pwaites
Last year, I read and loved Ninefox Gambit, a stunning military space opera. This year, I had the pleasure of reading the sequel, Raven Stratagem, and may have loved it even more than the first book. I highly encourage you to read these books, but they need to be read in order. If you haven’t
General Kel Khiruev is leading a fleet to stop the advance of a neighboring enemy, the Hafn, when she loses control of her own fleet to Shuos Jedao. She and all of her officers are frozen, unable to resist due to programmed obedience to authority… except for Lieutenant Colonel Kel Brezan, who suddenly discovers he’s a crashhawk. Can either of them trust Jedao? And if not, is either capable of regaining control of the fleet?
If you’re anything like me, one of the major reasons to read Raven Stratagem is to find out what the heck happened with Cheris/Jedao at the end of the last book. I’d been imagining the situation as similar to a fusion from Steven Universe — two characters mushed together to form someone new. As it turns out, this isn’t a question that gets answered immediately. Instead, it’s something you’re left wondering about for the entire book. Jedao appears to be the only one left, with nothing remaining of Cheris. But is this a truth, or just another trick?
Since Raven Stratagem isn’t told from the point of view of either Cheris or Jedao, the reader is left wondering alongside the other characters. Raven Stratagem contains a number of different POV characters, but the three most prominent are Brezan, Khiruev, and Mikodez. Mikodez, the head of the Shuos, has a few POV sections in the first book, but gains more focus here. Khiruev and Brezan have been relying on formation instinct their entire lives as Kels. Now Khiruev struggles against it to resist Jedao, and Brezan is facing a new life as a crashhawk (someone immune to formation instinct). He’s also been jettisoned from the fleet by Jedao and is desperately attempting to warn the Hexarchate of what has happened.
Speaking of the Hexarchate, we get a broader view of it here in Raven Stratagem. Lee expands the world building in so many interesting ways, and brings in outside cultures through the hostile interactions with the Hafn forces. I feel like he’s imagining science fiction in new ways. He can make the machinery of war and space travel appear beautiful, such as when he describes a spaceship looking as if it was made of lace. At the same time, his inventions can be disturbingly creepy, such as what our heroes discover when they break open the Hafn scouting ships.
I also love how many queer characters there are in the cast. Actually, as far as I know, the entire cast is queer. There’s a number of trans characters, most notably Brezan. Mikodez is ace, which initially made me wary because I thought he could be playing into some tropes. However, I ended up being fine with it because I realized it’s more that Mikodez likes people to think he’s a heartless sociopath more than he actually is a heartless sociopath.
The ending left me wondering if they’ll be more books. I think there can be, but this is more of a stopping point than the cliffhanger of Ninefox Gambit. Regardless, I really hope Lee chooses to write more. This series has been one of the best things to happen in science fiction, and I can’t recommend it enough.
I received an ARC of Raven Stratagem in exchange for a free and honest review.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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read Ninefox Gambit, you may want to skip the rest of this review, since I’ll be mentioning spoilers from the first book.General Kel Khiruev is leading a fleet to stop the advance of a neighboring enemy, the Hafn, when she loses control of her own fleet to Shuos Jedao. She and all of her officers are frozen, unable to resist due to programmed obedience to authority… except for Lieutenant Colonel Kel Brezan, who suddenly discovers he’s a crashhawk. Can either of them trust Jedao? And if not, is either capable of regaining control of the fleet?
If you’re anything like me, one of the major reasons to read Raven Stratagem is to find out what the heck happened with Cheris/Jedao at the end of the last book. I’d been imagining the situation as similar to a fusion from Steven Universe — two characters mushed together to form someone new. As it turns out, this isn’t a question that gets answered immediately. Instead, it’s something you’re left wondering about for the entire book. Jedao appears to be the only one left, with nothing remaining of Cheris. But is this a truth, or just another trick?
Since Raven Stratagem isn’t told from the point of view of either Cheris or Jedao, the reader is left wondering alongside the other characters. Raven Stratagem contains a number of different POV characters, but the three most prominent are Brezan, Khiruev, and Mikodez. Mikodez, the head of the Shuos, has a few POV sections in the first book, but gains more focus here. Khiruev and Brezan have been relying on formation instinct their entire lives as Kels. Now Khiruev struggles against it to resist Jedao, and Brezan is facing a new life as a crashhawk (someone immune to formation instinct). He’s also been jettisoned from the fleet by Jedao and is desperately attempting to warn the Hexarchate of what has happened.
Speaking of the Hexarchate, we get a broader view of it here in Raven Stratagem. Lee expands the world building in so many interesting ways, and brings in outside cultures through the hostile interactions with the Hafn forces. I feel like he’s imagining science fiction in new ways. He can make the machinery of war and space travel appear beautiful, such as when he describes a spaceship looking as if it was made of lace. At the same time, his inventions can be disturbingly creepy, such as what our heroes discover when they break open the Hafn scouting ships.
I also love how many queer characters there are in the cast. Actually, as far as I know, the entire cast is queer. There’s a number of trans characters, most notably Brezan. Mikodez is ace, which initially made me wary because I thought he could be playing into some tropes. However, I ended up being fine with it because I realized it’s more that Mikodez likes people to think he’s a heartless sociopath more than he actually is a heartless sociopath.
The ending left me wondering if they’ll be more books. I think there can be, but this is more of a stopping point than the cliffhanger of Ninefox Gambit. Regardless, I really hope Lee chooses to write more. This series has been one of the best things to happen in science fiction, and I can’t recommend it enough.
I received an ARC of Raven Stratagem in exchange for a free and honest review.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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LibraryThing member greeniezona
I was so excited to see this book on the shelves at the library. Ninefox Gambit was so challenging and and original and I'd grown to love Cheris and sympathize with Jedao, and was fully invested in seeing the hexarchate go down.
Then volume two opened and Cheris was... gone? Subsumed by Jedao? I was
I appreciated the additional glimpses into the history of this universe. I am hoping that the next volume with give more insight on Kujen, who remains somewhat mysterious.
What's with me getting sucked into all the series lately?
Then volume two opened and Cheris was... gone? Subsumed by Jedao? I was
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so concerned I had to go back to Ninefox and reread most of the last several chapters, concerned I'd misunderstood or misremembered something. Not knowing how much (if any) of Cheris remained weakened my connection to Raven Strategem at first, but as I read I got more interested in Mikodez, and was swept along with the new story.I appreciated the additional glimpses into the history of this universe. I am hoping that the next volume with give more insight on Kujen, who remains somewhat mysterious.
What's with me getting sucked into all the series lately?
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LibraryThing member NeedMoreShelves
This series is so bonkers and I love it so much. Two books in and I still feel like I'm not 100% sure what is happening about 40% of the time - but I am 150% along for the ride! Cannot wait to see how the author continues to blow my mind.
LibraryThing member jdifelice
Raven Stratagem was a great follow up to Ninefox Gambit. It was definitely less confusing and the world was much easier to understand. There wasn't as much mathematics involved and there was more politics. We also were introduced to new characters and didn't get a POV from Jedao/Cheris.
I really
I really enjoyed the plot of this second book. It jumps right in with the Hafn, and calendrical heresay. It was complex, yet easy to follow, and because the world was established in the first novel, there wasn't as much info dumping needed. We definitely got some more specifics and learned some new things because of the new perspectives though.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It was well written and I enjoyed the military/political side of it.
I really
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enjoyed the new POVs. There were fresh, and had a new perspective on what was happening in the hexarchate. We got to know them and be in their heads, and each voice was unique. I really enjoyed the plot of this second book. It jumps right in with the Hafn, and calendrical heresay. It was complex, yet easy to follow, and because the world was established in the first novel, there wasn't as much info dumping needed. We definitely got some more specifics and learned some new things because of the new perspectives though.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It was well written and I enjoyed the military/political side of it.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
This book starts immediately after the first one - Nine Fox Gambit- and it is awesome. In some ways, much better than the first book. Here we have Shuos Jedao took command of a Kel ship and due to Kel Command Instinct, there isn't anything the Kel can do about it.
Than there is Cheris, the person
Of course, you should probably read the first book before coming to this one. Well written, an interesting science, and something that is completely new in the space opera world.
Than there is Cheris, the person
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who Jedao has attached himself to. Where does she sit in all this mess, and what is her game. At times, I had to refer to the first book, confirming what I know to be true, Yoon Ha Lee managed to keep me guessing til the very end. Than we have the Shuos Leader, who is playing his own game, and nobody knows exactly what.Of course, you should probably read the first book before coming to this one. Well written, an interesting science, and something that is completely new in the space opera world.
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LibraryThing member Shrike58
I don't know what to say about this book that won't give away the big turnabout that Lee unleashes in the process only to say that the composite of Shuos Jedao and Kel Cheris starts this book still fighting for the Hexarchte against an enemy that, in their own way, is worse than the Hexarchate and
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that much of the story is told through the eyes of several Kel officers who have to figure out just where they stand in relation to this whole situation. Show Less
LibraryThing member macha
if anything this is better than the first book in this trilogy, Ninefox Gambit - looser, more character-driven, bigger payoff, though it can't fully claim the power of those big-picture mathematical metaphors when laid out for the first time. marvelous stuff, as good as Ann Leckie (high praise),
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claiming the same general territory as Iain Banks, and even occupying something in the neighbourhood of Ursula K LeGuin's point of view. highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member imyril
It's funny. I could blink and wave my hands and say 'yeah, great sequel. Pacing is a bit off, but it's entertaining. The Shuos amuse me'. Or I could take a deep breath and start talking about themes, but then I'd give in to the floods of feelings that would wash me away.
As with Ninefox Gambit, Yoon
Full review
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
As with Ninefox Gambit, Yoon
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Ha Lee has done something special, wrapped in layer upon layer of distraction. While there's plenty of meditation on the mechanisms of politics and control, this is an unabashed call to examine your choices and fight for your beliefs, whatever the cost - and to believe that the world can be better. If humanity chooses to make it so and stands firm in the face of overwhelming opposition. Full review
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
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LibraryThing member zeborah
I spent a large chunk of this book missing Cheris even though I could tell that she was right there. Beyond that hard to review this book in particular given that I finished it and started the next straight away so they blur a bit together....
LibraryThing member rivkat
In the Hexarchate, exotic weapons and powers work because of the calendar, which is maintained through careful manipulation including ritual torture and sacrifice. The mad general Jedao has returned to take over a fleet while the Hexarchs seek immortality and the alien Hafn invade, and that’s
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just the start. I like Lee’s worldbuilding the more I get of it, because there’s a lot to understand. This volume includes a lot of game-changers; I hope we find out what happens next. Show Less
LibraryThing member GridCube
I was disappointed on how much description where in this book, I felt like more things could have been left untold to be more enjoyable, but by the end, for some crazy things to happen, you'd need to know the context, so I'm happy with what we got.
Definitely amazing
Definitely amazing
LibraryThing member Tikimoof
It was still very enjoyable, but the Cheris/Jedao sessions were probably my least favorite this time. Maybe it was Khiruev's POV, but I found most of it pretty boring. The space battles were cool, just that particular brand of philosophizing.
Mikodez was great, awesome, amazing. He was definitely
And it's not too surprising considering the author, but I love the way that everybody deals with gender here. It's so refreshing.
I have no idea what's going to come next (Kujen?), but I'm looking forward to it!
Mikodez was great, awesome, amazing. He was definitely
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the best part of this book, absolutely made up for the lack of "Yours in calendrical heresy" notes.And it's not too surprising considering the author, but I love the way that everybody deals with gender here. It's so refreshing.
I have no idea what's going to come next (Kujen?), but I'm looking forward to it!
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LibraryThing member fred_mouse
As with book one of the series, this was a fascinating story of space warfare and political shenanigans, with complex mathematics driving many of the choices. The math is hinted at, and there are some very clever methods of hand-waving that really, math isn't quite that magic--at least as we know
Significant continuity from the first, but the resolution of the cliff-hanger right at the end of book 1 doesn't resolve quite the way that is hinted at.
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it. Significant continuity from the first, but the resolution of the cliff-hanger right at the end of book 1 doesn't resolve quite the way that is hinted at.
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LibraryThing member Stevil2001
I completely bounced off Ninefox Gambit, the book to which this is a sequel, and picked it up with a feeling of undertaking a dreaded duty when it was revealed as a finalist for the 2018 Hugo Awards. Well, I don't know if it was me or the book, but as I read it, I found myself enjoying it more and
Whereas I felt Ninefox focused on space combat that might as well be magic, Raven focuses much more on character and politics. I especially really liked Kel Brezan, the personnel officer. The Kel, the military faction of the hexarchate, are all ingrained with "formation instinct," which causes them to obey any order given. But Brezan is a "crashhawk," a Kel whose formation instinct is very weak. So on the one hand, he can defy the unlawful orders of Jedao, but on the other hand, in doing so, he reveals himself as a failure of a Kel. Dutiful and loyal, but self-deprecating for not being dutiful and loyal enough: that's my kind of character. The flashbacks peppered throughout to the various characters' training are especially interesting, as they reveal both personality and the rules and customs of the six factions of the hexarchate.
There are two things I wish for more of: I like the idea that belief in an exotic math system allows you to use it to devastating effect (shades of Christopher H. Bidmead's block transfer computation there), but why belief in a math system is dependent on using a particular calendar remains frustratingly obscure. Though maybe spelling it out would be even less convincing! And also once the twist comes two-thirds of the way in, things proceed a little too perfunctorily; the ending wasn't quite climactic enough to live up to the twist. But still, I enjoyed it.
If you didn't like Ninefox Gambit, I recommend still giving Raven Stratagem a try. I don't know if Raven is actually better than Ninefox, or if I just acclimated to the world more. Or if maybe reading Ninefox near the end of my 2017 Hugos reading just meant I was burnt out by the time I got to it. I'd be curious to reread Ninefox now in any case, but I will also be ordering Revenant Gun to finish off the Machineries of Empire trilogy.
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more, and then once a nice twist came along around the two-thirds mark, I was definitely on board. Raven Stratagem picks up only loosely from the end of Ninefox Gambit: basically the dead genocidal general Shuos Jedao has taken over the body of naval captain Kel Charis, and outside of "them," no other characters recur between the two books. (As far as I noticed anyway; my memories of Ninefox are a little vague.) Jedao is never a viewpoint character; the focal characters of Raven are the general of the fleet Jedao takes over, a personnel officer from that fleet who defies his takeover, and the leader of the Shuos faction.Whereas I felt Ninefox focused on space combat that might as well be magic, Raven focuses much more on character and politics. I especially really liked Kel Brezan, the personnel officer. The Kel, the military faction of the hexarchate, are all ingrained with "formation instinct," which causes them to obey any order given. But Brezan is a "crashhawk," a Kel whose formation instinct is very weak. So on the one hand, he can defy the unlawful orders of Jedao, but on the other hand, in doing so, he reveals himself as a failure of a Kel. Dutiful and loyal, but self-deprecating for not being dutiful and loyal enough: that's my kind of character. The flashbacks peppered throughout to the various characters' training are especially interesting, as they reveal both personality and the rules and customs of the six factions of the hexarchate.
There are two things I wish for more of: I like the idea that belief in an exotic math system allows you to use it to devastating effect (shades of Christopher H. Bidmead's block transfer computation there), but why belief in a math system is dependent on using a particular calendar remains frustratingly obscure. Though maybe spelling it out would be even less convincing! And also once the twist comes two-thirds of the way in, things proceed a little too perfunctorily; the ending wasn't quite climactic enough to live up to the twist. But still, I enjoyed it.
If you didn't like Ninefox Gambit, I recommend still giving Raven Stratagem a try. I don't know if Raven is actually better than Ninefox, or if I just acclimated to the world more. Or if maybe reading Ninefox near the end of my 2017 Hugos reading just meant I was burnt out by the time I got to it. I'd be curious to reread Ninefox now in any case, but I will also be ordering Revenant Gun to finish off the Machineries of Empire trilogy.
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LibraryThing member LisCarey
Our story begins where Ninefox Gambit left off: The mad revenant, Shuos Jedao, has seized control of the body of Captain Kel Cheris, and gone on to seize command of General Khiruev's swarm, relying on formation instinct and the fact that Kel Command is far away. He quickly offloads everyone who
Jedao proceeds to do seemingly exactly what Kel Command would want him to do: defend the hexarchate against the Hafn invasion. Khiruev has, at least in theory, two problems. The first iw whether Jedao can really be trusted to defend the hexarchate as he seems to intend. The other is whether Kel Command can be trusted to let them do it, or will instead sacrifice the entire swarm to eliminate the problem of Shuos Jedao.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Brezen finds his way back to Kel Command and is sent out on a new mission: Promoted to High General, and sent out with an agent of yet another faction, able to enthrall the opposite sex, with the goal of taking back the swarm from Jedao--but not till after he's defeated the Hafn, if that's really what he's doing.
The question is, what is Jedao really up to?
This isn't just a great follow-up to Ninefox Gambit. It's a better, stronger, and at the same time more accessible book.
Highly recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
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can't be controlled by formation instinct--the non-Kel, and Lt. Colonel Kel Brezen, who is a crashhawk, one of the rare Kel in whom formation instinct didn't take.Jedao proceeds to do seemingly exactly what Kel Command would want him to do: defend the hexarchate against the Hafn invasion. Khiruev has, at least in theory, two problems. The first iw whether Jedao can really be trusted to defend the hexarchate as he seems to intend. The other is whether Kel Command can be trusted to let them do it, or will instead sacrifice the entire swarm to eliminate the problem of Shuos Jedao.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Brezen finds his way back to Kel Command and is sent out on a new mission: Promoted to High General, and sent out with an agent of yet another faction, able to enthrall the opposite sex, with the goal of taking back the swarm from Jedao--but not till after he's defeated the Hafn, if that's really what he's doing.
The question is, what is Jedao really up to?
This isn't just a great follow-up to Ninefox Gambit. It's a better, stronger, and at the same time more accessible book.
Highly recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
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Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 2018)
Locus Award (Finalist — Science Fiction Novel — 2018)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017-06-13
Physical description
7.81 inches
ISBN
1781085374 / 9781781085370