Ancillary Sword

Ann Leckie's first book, Ancillary Justice, won just about every award going, including the Hugo, the Nebula, the Arthur C. Clarke and the BSFA awards. Now, here's the sequel to take the story forward. Breq is dispatched to a distant planet with a new ship and a troublesome crew in order to protect the family of the lieutenant she murdered. It's a situation ripe for drama, and alongside the action we learn more about the elaborately drawn interstellar empire, and, of course, the gender confusions that were such a feature of the first novel. Why it's on the list: To be honest, if you're read Ancillary Justice, you really don't need me to say any more. This is one sequel that has to be on everyone's must-read list.