Hidden Empire
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3.9 • 61 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Having colonized other worlds, humans are certain the galaxy is theirs for the taking. But they soon discover the horrifying price of their arrogance when a scientific experiment awakens the wrath of the previously unknown Hydrogues and begins a war.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this stellar launch of a new series, bestseller Anderson (Dune spinoffs with Brian Herbert; X-Filesand Star Wars books) delivers action, engaging characters and credible fantastic worlds in spades or ekti, the fuel vital for spaceships in the year 2427. The Terran Hanseatic League, in a heady rush of manifest destiny, turns Oncier, a huge gas planet, into a sun so its four moons can be used for colonization. In the process, the Terrans disturb the ancient but dwindling Ildirans, their uneasy allies, whose leader, the Mage-Imperator, suspects that Terrans are far too eager to take over the spiral arm. Still worse, by inadvertently destroying Oncier's hitherto unknown colonists, the powerful hydrogues, the conversion of Oncier sets off a catastrophic conflict that threatens the existence of all Terrans and Ildirans. The Earth Defense Forces of the Terran Hanseatic League, the Worldtrees and Green Priests of Theroc, the gypsy Roamers who mine ekti all must unite with the Ildirans to fight the alien menace. Book one sizzles with a fast-moving plot woven tightly with vivid characterizations: the space cowboys Jess, Ross and Tasia Tamblyn; the exotic Ildirans; the grotesque Mage-Imperator and his handsome Prime Designate son, Jora'h; Beneto Theron, his clan and the bewitching Nira Khali; the appealing and not-so-appealing humans, Raymond/Peter and Chairman Basil Wenceslas; and many others, all conspiring to make this fascinating future epic one not to be missed.
Customer Reviews
Remarkable!
This book was absolutely amazing! This was an amazing opener to fantastic storyline. If you want to read a series that will keep you on the edge of your seat then this is it. It's a big story, but once you start it you will not want to stop. It does have a lot of characters, but if you truly like and understand the story you will have no problem with it. You do not want to miss out on this epic series(btw it is 7 books in all). Get your hands on this saga!
Turbotastic!
This is a fantasy novel set in space. This isn't science fiction. This is a novel in which the faster spaceships have "turbochargers" as if they were 1990s era Toyota Supras. With the total absence of credible technology, goes its consistency. Three alien war machines turn four moons into rubble in a matter of hours, destroy giant floating factories instantaneously, but a in a battle with 11 such machines an earth battleship takes a direct hit but manages to escape. Do earth ships have amazing shielding? Nope. Just metal. And hen there are "jazers". "Jacketed lasers". Interesting concept: lasers jacketed with magnetic sleeves for a "double whammy". Metal can suddenly travel at he speed of light now. And ships, spread out through a solar system can communicate instantaneously even though a major plot device is that hey don't have faster than light communications (they need special trees for that). It's almost as if the author has absolutely no familiarity with the enormity of space or any of the science or science fiction that might circumvent this issue. Rubbish science used as deus ex machina.
So. It's fantasy with rubbish science. Is the story any good? Star crossed lovers, her engaged to his brother and full of duty. An ancient race, advanced yet ossified. Ragamuffin made prince. Ancient robots with no memory (they lied! They're just very naughty.) And in contrast to the ossified race, we plucky humans are full of inventions! Surprise! Well actually turns out the author may be an alien as he fails to imagine any improvements in our space craft other than "they go faster now". Same ships. Same names. Just "improved". Sigh.
AMAZING READ
An epic story on a grand scale. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these kind of stories. If you are truly a scifi lover, read this you will not be disappointed. You will be hooked. THANK YOU KEVIN J ANDERSON ... U rock!!!