The Collapsing Empire
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4.4 • 71 Ratings
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- £5.99
Publisher Description
In the far future, humanity has left Earth to create a glorious empire. Now this interstellar network of worlds faces disaster. The Collapsing Empire is a propulsive space opera from John Scalzi, the first in the award-winning Interdependency series.
Does the biggest threat lie within?
The empire's outposts are utterly dependent on each other for resources, a safeguard against war, and a way its rulers can exert control. This relies on extra-dimensional pathways between the stars, connecting worlds. But 'The Flow' is changing course, which could plunge every colony into fatal isolation.
A scientist will risk his life to inform the empire's ruler. A scion of a Merchant House stumbles upon conspirators seeking power. And the new Empress of the Interdependency must battle lies, rebellion and treason. Yet, as they work to save a civilization on the brink of collapse, others have very different plans . . .
Continue the space adventure trilogy with The Consuming Fire.
'Rousing storytelling and satisfying intrigue . . . an engaging, well-crafted sci-fi drama.' - SFX
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Scalzi (the Old Man's War series) delivers a strong opener for his fast-paced new space opera series, setting up key players along the primary travel corridor of an empire overflowing with complex interactions among nobles, politicians, business interests, and an unstable physical environment. The Interdependency is a collection of far-flung, human-colonized, barely habitable planets strung together by the Flow, a naturally occurring, limited-access, faster-than-light network. The planets are governed by the concept of obligate mutual reliance and ruled by those who control access to the Flow, but a change to the Flow that would leave established planets isolated to die seems imminent. This would disrupt the plans of the ambitious noble Nohamapetan family, which is involved in a rebellion raging on the outermost planet of End; Kiva Lagos, the foul-mouthed, opportunistic owner's representative on a starship owned by one of the Nohamapetans' rivals; Marce Claremont, a scientist carrying data from years of secret research into the Flow; and the young new emperox, Cardenia, guided by her simulated ancestors. Scalzi's storytelling centers on dynamic and quick-thinking players with strong personalities who engage in spirited social interactions, making the slightly dubious physics forgivable. Expect several future works set in this sprawling universe.
Customer Reviews
Enjoyable read
Whitty and clever.