BookBingeImperial Radch Books in Order
The short answer
Ann Leckie · 3 books
- How many books?
- There are 3 books in the Imperial Radch series, published 2013–2015.
- Is it finished?
- Yes — the series is complete; it ends with Ancillary Mercy (2015).
- Where to start
- Start with Ancillary Justice (2013).
About 1,200 pages — roughly 20 hours of reading
A Hugo, Nebula, and Clarke Award sweeper about the last fragment of a destroyed starship's AI consciousness, seeking justice against the empire that betrayed it.
Here is the complete Imperial Radch reading order — all 3 books by Ann Leckie, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- Ancillary JusticeA soldier who was once the ship-mind of a vast troop carrier and its thousands of ancillary bodies, now reduced to a single body, pursues vengeance against the ruler of a galaxy-spanning empire.2013409 pages
- Ancillary SwordSent to protect a distant system on behalf of a fractured empire, the former ship-AI confronts local injustice and simmering unrest tied to the empire's ancient conquests.2014416 pages
- Ancillary MercyAs the empire's civil war reaches her station, the protagonist must defend her adopted crew and allies against overwhelming force while the empire's ruler wars with herself.2015359 pages
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
On our lists: Completed sci-fi book series
Track your place in Imperial Radch
BookBinge remembers which book you're on and writes a spoiler-safe recap before every sequel. Free on iOS.
Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Imperial Radch books are there?
There are 3 books in the Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie, from Ancillary Justice (2013) to Ancillary Mercy (2015). Together they run to about 1,200 pages.
Is the Imperial Radch series finished?
Yes. Ann Leckie completed the series with Ancillary Mercy in 2015; all 3 books are out now.
What is the first Imperial Radch book?
Ancillary Justice (2013) is book one, at 409 pages. A soldier who was once the ship-mind of a vast troop carrier and its thousands of ancillary bodies, now reduced to a single body, pursues vengeance against the ruler of a galaxy-spanning empire.
Should I read the Imperial Radch series in publication order?
Yes. For the Imperial Radch series, reading order and publication order are the same — Ancillary Justice (2013) through Ancillary Mercy (2015).
How long does it take to read all Imperial Radch books?
About 1,200 pages across 3 books — roughly 20 hours at a page a minute. The longest is Ancillary Sword (416 pages); the shortest is Ancillary Mercy (359 pages).