As someone who prefers novels to short fiction, I'll only read short story collections by authors I consider exceptionally good - and Ann Leckie falls into that category. Her first collection of short stories range in length from literally three pages to ten times that length or more, from the two main 'universes' she has created for her novels to date (Imperial Radch and Raven Tower), and complete standalones. There is no need to have read any of her novels to follow the stories.

I found the stories set in the fantasy universe generally more enjoyable than those in the science fiction sphere, partly because I think the concepts in the former are easier to follow than the latter. In the unlinked and 'Imperial Radch' stories, it takes so long to get your head round the underpinning concepts (if you do at all) that the story is over before you feel you really 'get' it. One story in particular - 'She Commands Me and I Obey' - I really had no clue what was going on throughout. Leckie's gift is creating complex worlds and telling what are effectively political thrillers set within them - but you can't do that easily in a short story. She is also good at creating characters whom the reader comes to care about, but again, that's not easy to do in a small page count. So whilst she does write well, some of the strengths that make her novels so successful are impeded by the short story format.

However there are plenty of real gems in the collection - I particularly enjoyed 'Another Word for World', 'Saving Bacon', and 'The Unknown God'. In fact reading the stories set in the world of the 'Raven Tower' made me wish even more strongly that Leckie will write another novel set there - there is just so much scope in that 'universe'.

If you enjoy short stories and sci fi or fantasy, Leckie is one of the best writers out there at the moment and this is a must read. If like me, you aren't a big short story fan, this is still worth reading if you like the genre, because there's good stuff here. And I'd always highly recommend Leckie's novels, even to those who only dabble occasionally in the genres.

This contains self-contained stories, as well as stories from the Imperial Ranch Universe and the Universe of The Raven Tower.

I struggled to understand and connect to the majority of stories, yet some were engaging and made me wish for a more fleshed out novella on them.
It is clear Leckie has talent and is insightful and extremely imaginative.

My standouts:
Another Word for World:
Two people come together to negotiate a treaty are forced to reevaluate their positions after their flier is shut down and their translator lost.
It appears that each was guilty of translating the treaty in a way to suit them.
This touches on the importance of language, learning, and constantly reassessing and communicating.

Night's Slow Poison:
The only thing that attic between Ghaon and the endless armies of the Radch, which had been the downfall of a thousand worlds and stations, was the Crawl which they could not traverse.

"I say what I think," said the woman. "My people don't hide behind masks." "You certainly do," said Awt equably.
"Your mask is rudeness and offensively plain speech. We only see how you wish to appear, not your true self."

She Commands Me and I Obey:
This one was so cool. A ballcourt game which decides the election and ends in death.
This reminded me of vaguely of Red Rising and Empire.

The Snake's Wife:
The Lord of the Sky promised that the curse will be ended on a neighbouring royal family when the prince marries the sister.
The sister was killed and her brother was taken in her place, castrated and clothed in dresses.
A very short and moving story about the treachery and deceit of gods and the blooming love and cleverness of humans.

Saving Bacon:
By far, the funniest one.
First person told from a nephew who doesn't want to marry, a meddling aunt, and an infant villain sister and her piglet called Bacon.
Now, when a small brown sparrow speaks to one, and further- more one understands said small brown sparrow, several possibili- ties suggest themselves. One might, for instance, be dreaming. I was, however, fully awake. Next on the list - I was losing my sanity.

Thank you to Little Brown Book group for providing an arc in exchange for a review!