Science fiction
A Memory Called Empire
A new ambassador from a small mining station arrives at the glittering capital of a vast empire to find that her predecessor is dead. She must navigate the court and a coup while working out who killed him.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2019
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 464
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in Teixcalaan
Read this if you like political space opera with a clever heroine, rich culture and a strong sense of place.
Skip this if you want blasters and space battles, because the book is about diplomacy, poetry and plots.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about A Memory Called Empire
- What is A Memory Called Empire about?
- A new ambassador from a small mining station arrives at the glittering capital of a vast empire to find that her predecessor is dead. She must navigate the court and a coup while working out who killed him.
- Who should read A Memory Called Empire?
- Read it if you like political space opera with a clever heroine, rich culture and a strong sense of place. Skip it if you want blasters and space battles, because the book is about diplomacy, poetry and plots.
- How long and how fast is A Memory Called Empire?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 464 pages, first published in 2019.
- Does A Memory Called Empire have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Violence.
- Can I borrow A Memory Called Empire for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Memory Called Empire; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after A Memory Called Empire?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Ancillary Justice, The Left Hand of Darkness, Dune.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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