The Collapsing Empire

Overall: A good setup but very predictable with a couple of really annoying characters.

Pros:
• The setting is very interesting with some unusual twists.
• The author can write action very well.
• There are some funny one liners.
• Two of the main characters are interesting and sympathetic.

Cons:
• Two main characters are just really annoying. One is essentially a cartoon villain, the other is “Bossy and swears a lot”. The latter is, I guess, supposed to be funny, but I just found it boring after the first few pages in which every adverb and adjective was the four letter F word.
• Every single “surprise” was discussed in detail just before it happened. So these two characters are going to talk about “X”? What's the betting “X” is going to be the surprise twist in the next chapter? I knew the entire plot arc after the first few chapters, I kept reading because I was sure it was all a read herring and there was going to be a twist. I was wrong.

Did I like it well yes... two of the characters (Cardenia and Marce) who are so blatantly intended to fall for each other (predictable!) were enjoyable to read - so I guess this book just about gets three stars.

I kind of want to see that plot play out so I will read book 2, even though I really don't want to put up with the “I'll tie you to the train tracks” Nohamapetans or Ms “F-ing F- F- F-“ Lagos.