Stellar worldbuilding at play - a complex, breathing universe is brought to life without halting the story. Instead, the main characters' thoughts and interactions - rituals, beliefs, hopes and fears - seamlessly define the boundaries of each species' culture. The various alien factions presented in the story and their complex interactions with gender and identity make the world of the Imperial Radch feel fresh and distinct. This was my first Leckie novel, but I can't wait to dive into the rest of the books set in the shared universe!