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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
A solid conclusion to the trilogy, with plenty of the same characteristics that made the first two so enjoyable. This one was, if anything, _too_ fast paced, with each scene accomplishing exactly what it needed to and then moving forward without delay to the next. The snappy dialog was the main driver for this, but it was also enabled by the tight-as-possible plot, and the expository text was equally engaging. I would have been happy to read another 100 pages at least, and I could have done so in a matter of minutes.
Kiva remained largely unlikeable for me, though I suppose some readers enjoy the special brand of kick-ass obnoxiousness she represents. In fact she and Nadashe were a bit too similar for me. But Grayland is a superior creation, a cut above the average SF heroine, and she continues to be predictably well-drawn while also managing to be surprising at times. The supporting cast played their parts perfectly, from Marce to Chenevert, and especially the ancestral emperoxs.
There were several significant twists, as expected with Scalzi; the first one I never saw coming. Nearing the end, it seemed the book was going to run out of pages before things could be twisted back to a satisfactory conclusion, but of course Scalzi wrapped things up masterfully.
I’d recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun ride through space, time, and imperial politics.
Kiva remained largely unlikeable for me, though I suppose some readers enjoy the special brand of kick-ass obnoxiousness she represents. In fact she and Nadashe were a bit too similar for me. But Grayland is a superior creation, a cut above the average SF heroine, and she continues to be predictably well-drawn while also managing to be surprising at times. The supporting cast played their parts perfectly, from Marce to Chenevert, and especially the ancestral emperoxs.
There were several significant twists, as expected with Scalzi; the first one I never saw coming. Nearing the end, it seemed the book was going to run out of pages before things could be twisted back to a satisfactory conclusion, but of course Scalzi wrapped things up masterfully.
I’d recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun ride through space, time, and imperial politics.
3.5 rounded up for quality quarantine entertainment.
Ended up being my favorite in the series - if you're looking for some easy, fun sci-fi with memorable characters and neat concepts, Scalzi is easy to recommend, and this series is some of his best. And you should be spending your free time at home anyway, so now is the perfect time to breeze through a light space opera like this.
Ended up being my favorite in the series - if you're looking for some easy, fun sci-fi with memorable characters and neat concepts, Scalzi is easy to recommend, and this series is some of his best. And you should be spending your free time at home anyway, so now is the perfect time to breeze through a light space opera like this.
John Scalzi’s Interdependency series (The Collapsing Empire, The Consuming Fire) has given us some of the most enjoyable space opera of the last few years. Scalzi has taken the premise of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series and given it a seriously modern twist. Peopled with flawed characters facing the potential end of their civilization and the political and social machinations surrounding this impending disaster, the story feels relevant whilst also often being irreverent.
In the opening Scalzi once again shows why he is the master of exposition that does not feel like exposition. And even if it has been a couple of years since the second book in this series, readers will be back up to speed with all of the main characters relatively quickly without feeling like they’ve been subject to a recap. The plot picks up directly after the end of The Consuming Fire. The end of the Interdependency is still inevitable as the “flow” that joins disparate parts of the Empire and ensures the survival of far flung colonies continues to slow down. While Cardenia aka Emperox Grayland II continues to find a way to save the billions of people who would otherwise be trapped by the collapse of the flow, the forces that have tried to assassinate her twice regather and start to plot again. There is still only one planet, End, on which humanity might survive following the collapse and the heads of the wealthiest trading houses have decided that by getting rid of Grayland they can save themselves, travel to End and leave their populations behind.
And so the scene is set for another round of political manoeuvring, reverses, schemes foiled and succeeding, historical reveals and desperate plans to save the Interdependency involving the use of maths. While all of the main characters get some great moments once again the star of the book has to be the foul-mouthed Kiva Lagos, who found love in the previous book and has become integral to Grayland’s plans but finds herself in trouble early on. But there is no trouble that Kiva cannot scheme her way out of. But all of the players get a chance to shine, the moustache twirling (if she had one) Nadashe, Grayland’s scientist lover Marce and Grayland herself, trying to thread a various precarious needle while constantly under threat, the solution to which being both shocking and somehow inevitable.
Again, the parallels between the fate of the Interdependency and the global threat of climate change are just below the surface. In this case, the response of the wealthy, those who could do something about the problem if they thought globally rather than personally is thrown into sharp relief.
The Last Emperox is a great conclusion to a great space opera series. Another rattling tale full of very human characters dealing with an unprecedented challenge, told with verve and style. Although this is officially the end of the series, the door is left open to more stories in this universe, with even a possible expansion into new territory. Any of which would be welcome.
In the opening Scalzi once again shows why he is the master of exposition that does not feel like exposition. And even if it has been a couple of years since the second book in this series, readers will be back up to speed with all of the main characters relatively quickly without feeling like they’ve been subject to a recap. The plot picks up directly after the end of The Consuming Fire. The end of the Interdependency is still inevitable as the “flow” that joins disparate parts of the Empire and ensures the survival of far flung colonies continues to slow down. While Cardenia aka Emperox Grayland II continues to find a way to save the billions of people who would otherwise be trapped by the collapse of the flow, the forces that have tried to assassinate her twice regather and start to plot again. There is still only one planet, End, on which humanity might survive following the collapse and the heads of the wealthiest trading houses have decided that by getting rid of Grayland they can save themselves, travel to End and leave their populations behind.
And so the scene is set for another round of political manoeuvring, reverses, schemes foiled and succeeding, historical reveals and desperate plans to save the Interdependency involving the use of maths. While all of the main characters get some great moments once again the star of the book has to be the foul-mouthed Kiva Lagos, who found love in the previous book and has become integral to Grayland’s plans but finds herself in trouble early on. But there is no trouble that Kiva cannot scheme her way out of. But all of the players get a chance to shine, the moustache twirling (if she had one) Nadashe, Grayland’s scientist lover Marce and Grayland herself, trying to thread a various precarious needle while constantly under threat, the solution to which being both shocking and somehow inevitable.
Again, the parallels between the fate of the Interdependency and the global threat of climate change are just below the surface. In this case, the response of the wealthy, those who could do something about the problem if they thought globally rather than personally is thrown into sharp relief.
The Last Emperox is a great conclusion to a great space opera series. Another rattling tale full of very human characters dealing with an unprecedented challenge, told with verve and style. Although this is officially the end of the series, the door is left open to more stories in this universe, with even a possible expansion into new territory. Any of which would be welcome.
Man, that was a hell of a ride. It was just about everything you could hope for from the last novel in a trilogy - wrapped up the story, tied up all the loose ends, gave every main character a satisfying arc that concluded with interesting changes to the character, and left the reader (or maybe just me) feeling sated and ready for the next new thing. In a word, perfect.
Well. I wasn't expecting that ending. I think I liked it but I am not sure yet. I do see the possibility of a spin-off. Hm. Need to think on it more.
i enjoyed this last installment in the interdependency trilogy, but in my opinion the ending was anticlimactic and there were some loose threads.
there's definitely room for more books set in this universe, and i would gladly read them if scalzi decides to write them. i'll check out his other works as well.
there's definitely room for more books set in this universe, and i would gladly read them if scalzi decides to write them. i'll check out his other works as well.
A mostly satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, with enough surprises to keep me interested until the end.