Book Review: The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Title: The Collapsing Empire
Author: John Scalzi
Series: The Interdependency #1
Publication Date: April 1st 2017

Synopsis: "Does the biggest threat lie within?

In the far future, humanity has left Earth to create a glorious empire. Now this interstellar network of worlds faces disaster - but can three individuals save their people?

The empire's outposts are utterly dependent on each other for resources, a safeguard against war, and a way in which rulers can exert control. This relies on extra-dimensional pathways between the stars, connecting worlds. But this '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..."

My thoughts: Yes! I have finally read a John Scalzi book! I have been meaning to for a very long time, and when I saw that a new book of his was coming out, I jumped at the chance to try it.

This was a wonderful, wonderful read. Scalzi's world-building is amazing, the whole idea of the 'Flow' and the way he explained it (and kind of didn't explain it) was great and also hilarious. Speaking of hilarious, his humour is so similar to my own in this book that the whole read was just a great experience. Even when bad things were happening (and yes, they happened relatively frequently), the sense of humour really kept me reading.

And the characters! The three main characters talked about in the synopsis above were all so individual and fantastic in their own ways. Occasionally I found one of them came on a little too strong for my taste, but even that was fine because she had her own personality. Side characters were also wonderful, and really helped to flesh out the whole story and made it feel real.

So, one Scalzi book and I seem to be a complete convert. I wanted more of this, and I really want the second book soon, but perhaps for now I will just go back and read more of Scalzi's other work.


[I received a review copy of this book from Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!!]

A favourite line from the book: "On the bridge of the Tell Me Another One, Captain Arullos Gineos was busy dealing with an actual mutiny, not a paper one, and if she was going to be really honest about it to herself, things didn't look like they were going very well for her at the moment."

You would like this book if: You enjoy space opera with awesome characters; you like witty, slightly biting humour.

Tea to drink while reading this book: I... don't know. Hmmm. This book cover is excellently green, so maybe brew some matcha to match!

Rating:  8.5/10

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