The Collapsing Empire

Well this was fantastic! It's a super fun space opera, well-written (Scalzi's storytelling craft has really matured, I gotta say, and every sentence in this book flies home like a finely-balanced arrow, unlike, just for example, this one, which I am writing at bedtime after a very long day), action-packed, emotionally adept and just casually, nbd as if it ain't no thang chock-full of female characters and same-sex marriages and love affairs (which like, I know Scalzi did this on purpose because he happened to mention it at a panel and I swear to god I hate that such a small thing means so much and I don't want to give allies cookies for doing what should be the bare minimum but like. It means so much).

Oh plus there's a what I'm 99% sure is a shout-out to N.K. Jemisin (just a character with that name which like.. that can't be coincidence right?)

The premise and world-building are solid, the dialogue just ~flows~, the characters are vividly imagined, and you kind of can't help but enjoy the ride.

I get that Scalzi isn't for everyone, but I have to say, it seems like he is definitely for me. I can even SEE the flaws as I'm reading, and yet I can't stop loving the stories he writes and the way he writes them.

And also? Kick-ass female protagonists will win me over every time. EVERY. TIME.

Can't wait to see where this world takes us.

This was another great start to a John Scalizi universe. I love Old Man's War and the world built around those characters and I can sense that The Interdependency is going to be another hit. If you loved any of John Scalizi's books this one is going to be right up your alley.

This book is such a wild ride, and felt like it could have been much longer and I wouldn't have minded. It was also my first introduction to space opera (having only just discovered that this is a genre), and it was excellent. I loved the strong women in this book, the nuance and strategy that develops, and the world of the Interdependency.

Ho Hum... Just about gets a 3. Pretty predictable space opera stuff with a some swearing and sex thrown in to make a bit up to date. Not a lot happening apart from major scene setting for the next couple of books. The characters are pretty much lite-beer without much body or flavour.

Might give part two a read when/if it appears to see if it improves.

I just finished Scalzi's latest offering, “The Collapsing Empire.” This is not set in the same universe as “Old Man's War,” but is instead an entirely new setting, one where mankind is spread across the stars which are connected by a hyperspace-like phenomenon called the Flow. A newly (and reluctantly) crowned “Emprox” learns some disturbing truths about the Empire she now heads and the nature of the Flow, a physicist escapes his homeworld with a revolution and a natural disaster nipping at his heels, and the heads of dynastic and monopolistic families vie for power and influence in a time of rising uncertainty. I found it very enjoyable but entirely a prologue for what appears to be a much larger epic. If he thinks he can finish this story in anything less than five hefty books, he's not seeing the potential of his newly constructed universe.

The writing doesn't have quite the same heft as Old Man's War, or Lock In, but the world is fascinating, and I'm fond of many, many of the characters - I really liked it.

Interesting characters, a fast moving plot, and lots of snark. A fun read. I'll be back for the next installment.

Looking back it would appear I like my SF fairly serious, Stephenson, Banks etc. However this one was a hoot of a trip and I could not wait for lunch breaks to jump back in. I went the audible route and I think Will Wheaton did an excellent job in bringing what I think is Scalzi's primary strength, dialogue, to life. Kiva is my new favorite character.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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I can't think of a SF release more highly anticipated this year than The Collapsing Empire, the first in a new series (there's a really good chance that I'll be saying the same thing in 3 months about something else that I'm spacing at the moment). Thankfully, it surpassed my expectations (which were, admittedly, pretty low – this just didn't sound that interesting) – I can't speak for the rest of his fanbase who were anticipating it so highly, but I can't imagine that most weren't wholly satisfied, and predict he picks up a few fans from this.

The Interdependency is the empire that is made up of the descendants of the people of Earth, it's been in place for centuries – and, as the title of the book (and series) states, it's on the verge of collapse. Not from political pressures or outside threats, or anything of that nature. Instead, it's the Flow. The Flow is the way that humanity travels between the stars – a extra-dimensional field that can be accessed to facilitate travel between planets. And it's on the verge of changing – not disappearing, just connecting different planets and leaving millions of people without access to the rest of the Empire.

Tricky to explain briefly – but that's okay, the characters in the book are (with 3 exceptions) learning this about the same time as the reader is and those who explain it do a much better job. Basically, the Empire as they know it is facing the End. There to help the Interdependency through this trying time (not that citizens know about it) is a brand-new, untried Emperox. She and her allies (intentional or otherwise) are going to have to deal with political, business and religious groups to try to help some of humanity survive.

I've gotta say that Emperox Grayland II (Cardenia to her friends) is a delightful character – you cannot help but root for her. She's brave, smart, relatable and an underdog (how someone who rules several planetary systems can be thought of as an underdog is a neat trick). The scientist who travels the length of the Empire to help her understand what's going on, Marce, is clever, overwhelmed, and the only one who really knows what's happening (shades of Jor-El?). There's another character, Lady Kiva, a junior member of a ruling family of one of the largest guilds who is just too much fun – she swears enough to make Marshall Mathers take a step back; has no tact, no diplomacy, and shows no mercy to her enemies (especially if they stand between her and a profit). Really, she's a horrible person (at least in this book),but a fun, fun character.

These three are our focus, they're who we cheer for and pin our hopes on. If they can survive the political, scientific, religious, and humanitarian turmoil that's beginning to bubble – there's a shot for humanity. Not much of one, honestly, but a shot.

Somehow, Scalzi's able to take societal collapse and tell it in an entertaining, suspenseful and frequently funny way. He's able to give a thinly disguised commentary on environmental catastrophe and keep it from getting preachy. Basically, he threads the needle just right to keep people enjoying themselves as they read what would be a heavy, off-putting book in many author's hands.

Is it perfect? No. Am I crazy about everything he does/tries to do in this book? Nope. But man, such a fun, quick ride that I can't help but like it and recommend it to everyone I can think of. I was so wrong not to be interested in this book – I'm more than interested in the sequel.

Executive Summary: A really fun start to a new series. Plus it introduced me to my new favorite John Scalzi character. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book.Audiobook: I've always found Wil Wheaton a great fit for John Scalzi books, and this one is no different. He reads clearly at a good volume, with good inflection, and the occasional voice for male characters. Not to mention he delivers the snark well. As usual, this book is a good option in audio.Full ReviewI have yet to read a John Scalzi book I didn't enjoy, and this one is no different. I'd put this up there among some of my favorites, though not quite as good as [b:Fuzzy Nation 9647532 Fuzzy Nation John Scalzi http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1316132345s/9647532.jpg 18280046].I love space opera, and character driven stories. We get a mostly dialogue driven story, with some decent world building, and only 1 big info dump, cleverly disguised as a children's field trip.I'm sure someone could spend time talking about the influences of president day politics have on this book, but you won't find those from me here. I read to escape, and while I couldn't help in drawing parallels in my mind as I listened, it wasn't so overwhelming as to be distracting.The characters are all great, probably some of his best yet. Kiva is easily my favorite character that Mr. Scalzi has created thus far. She swears like a sailor, and has ZERO filter on her thoughts. I'm sure we wouldn't get along at all, but she sure is a lot of fun to read about.Cardenia is a pretty interesting character as well. She's more likely to be someone I'd like to know/be friends with, and probably has the biggest obstacles to overcome.Marce too a bit to grow on me, and he's probably the weakest of the Three POV characters, but I liked him as well by the end. The main problem was I liked his sister better. I thought the book had a bit of a pacing issue. Part 1 was a bit slow, and part 3 felt a bit fast, but overall the pace seemed to balance out in the end.I knew very little about this book coming in, but it was a release day buy for me, because I really enjoy Mr. Scalzi's work. It didn't disappoint. I'm looking forward to reading the next on just as soon as it's available.