Play Book Tag discussion

The Collapsing Empire - Scalzi
3 stars

The first book in a series. There is considerable, elaborate world building and set-up for future events. It begins with an attempted space mutiny, a planet wide rebellion, and an extensive, fraudulent corporate takeover scheme. But all of these problems are insignificant.

In a parallel universe, similar to our own, in a far distant future, things are about to change drastically. In this universe, interstellar travel is possible through a poorly understood astral phenomenon called The Flow. The Flow connects the interstellar worlds of the Interdependency. The Flow is collapsing. Far flung civilizations will become isolated and eventually extinct. Interdependency means just that. Each world is dependent on the others for survival. The good guys are out to save humanity. The forces of evil are looking out for their own self interests. I was reminded, a little bit (the writing is not nearly as good) of Dune, because power is in the hands of competing royal houses who control all commerce and religion.

Once again, I am not the intended audience. I applaud Scalzi’s commitment to gender and sexual equality. There’s no lack of kick-ass females in this story. Hetero-,homo- and bi-sexual characters are equally and promiscuously evident. I understand that both the foul language and the sexual practices of some characters are part of their cutthroat personalities. But, I felt it was overdone, and if it was intended to be funny, I don’t get it. Just one of the ways that I am not the intended audience.

On the other hand, I thought the book was well plotted for action and suspense. The financial machinations of the competing commercial houses dragged a bit for me, but then, financial discussions always bore me. I enjoyed the tricky ways that the mild-mannered physicist, (our brave and handsome hero), managed to avoid multiple assassination attempts. His possible romantic entanglement with the new female emperox is predictable and may be enough to make me read the next book. Maybe.

I have this one checked out from the library and am still hoping to get to it.

I know that it is the start of a series, but do you think it is satisfying on its own? I really don't want to get into another series, and am find with just reading book one so long as it is reasonably resolved...

Nicole R wrote: "I have this one checked out from the library and am still hoping to get to it.

I know that it is the start of a series, but do you think it is satisfying on its own? I really don't want to get int..."

I had to think about how to answer you. This book is clearly the start of a new series, but it doesn't exactly end with a cliffhanger. The end is comparable to the ending of the first Star Wars movie. (That's the one that came out in 1977... Yes, I know. Don't tell me how young you are. ) It ends on an up note for the good guys; not like the second Star Wars movie that left poor Han frozen in the ice.

I don't need to rush out to get the next one, but I might want to find a synopsis that's full of spoilers just so I'll know what happens to the characters.

Jgrace wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "I have this one checked out from the library and am still hoping to get to it.

I know that it is the start of a series, but do you think it is satisfying on its own? I really don'..."

Back when the first Star Wars movie came out good movies didn't need really strong cliff hangers to get people back. Then again, I didn't see the next one, and only saw the third one on video, so perhaps they really should have ended it with a cliff hanger.

And, yes, I saw it in the movie theatre the spring it came out, but I was not an adult. Of course, I grew up somewhere right after the dinosaurs (I can't remember how my kids have it all worked out, but my 92 year old mother in law plus my parents have to fit into things, so I'm after the dinosaurs).

Jgrace wrote: "The end is comparable to the ending of the first Star Wars movie. (That's the one that came out in 1977... Yes, I know. Don't tell me how young you are. )..."

I am not that young! While I may not have gone to see Star Wars in 1977, I was not too far behind and have seen it many times ;)

Nicole R wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "The end is comparable to the ending of the first Star Wars movie. (That's the one that came out in 1977... Yes, I know. Don't tell me how young you are. )..."

I am not that young! W..."

Hmm, for some reason I keep thinking you are in your early thirties or so and I could have had a daughter your age (but perhaps I'd have had to be quite young). I was a teen when the movie came out.

Karin wrote: "Hmm, for some reason I keep thinking you are in your early thirties or so and I could have had a daughter your age (but perhaps I'd have had to be quite young). I was a teen when the movie came out. ..."

I am in my 30's. Doesn't change the fact that I grew up in the 80's/early 90's when Stars Wars was still extremely popular and have seen it multiple times....

Nicole R wrote: "Karin wrote: "Hmm, for some reason I keep thinking you are in your early thirties or so and I could have had a daughter your age (but perhaps I'd have had to be quite young). I was a teen when the ..."

Not at all, although I frequently forget that. As I think about it, three of them came out when you were growing up. Actually, it might make you more of a Star Wars type of person, IMO. My brother and one of my cousins, in their early 40s, and some of my cousins, in their 30s, are more affected by Star Wars than I ever was! My brother was one shortlisted in LA to play Anakim Skywalker (herad from my mother, not him), but heard later they never seriously considered anyone from NA. However, he wasn't even 5 when the first movie came out, so missed in in the theatres.

One thing I failed to mention, because I wasn't aware. This book is the first book of a series, but at the moment it's the only book. The second book hasn't been published yet.

Wonderful review and sounds like my cup pf tea. I could be a fan, though quite a few of his I haven't read yet. I hace Agent to the Stars in mind for next. I think he is good for leaving the reader with a sense of completion with a book, even if a successor book is required to solve a mystery or resolve a conflict. I hate the crass motives leading to effectively breaking one book into multiple volumes, especially leaving you on a cliffhanger. Lots of authors are guilty of strategies resembling a dealer who wants to get you addicted.