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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
What an absolutely outstanding end to this series! You will be on the edge of your seat (or, your reading equivalent) the entire time. Unexpected twists, intense political intrigue, and so, so much satisfying payoff. Scalzi has just earned a lifelong fan in me with The Last Emperox, and I will be heartily recommending it to all of the readers in my life.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall, this has been a fun-to-read space opera trilogy, and many folks will rate it 5 stars. The characters are good, the dangers are life-changing, and there are all sorts of double-crosses and twists along the way.
Series rating: 3.81 stars, rounded to 4 (above average, in spite of a weak finish).
This book #3: 3.33 stars
There were some 5-star moments in this series. There were also some minor to moderate annoyances. Other reviewers have covered those in detail.
I'll add: In this universe (1,500+ years from now), humans are still using tablet computers--and their dog's name as a password*. And apparently the bad guys love to spout their evil plans without bothering to look for cameras or microphones. In other words, this was not quite the intelligent and futuristic future I was hoping for.
* Yes, most people will probably still be that stupid. But you'd think the computers would prevent such idiocy, or we'd be way past text passwords by then.
Still, it's an entertaining series with some kick-a$$ ladies, and all sorts of dilemmas. I thought the ending was weak (and a main character did something profoundly stupid, unnecessary, and). But hey--that's the author's choice, and he's making $ at it.
Aliens?
AI?
Recommended? Yes.
Series rating: 3.81 stars, rounded to 4 (above average, in spite of a weak finish).
This book #3: 3.33 stars
There were some 5-star moments in this series. There were also some minor to moderate annoyances. Other reviewers have covered those in detail.
I'll add: In this universe (1,500+ years from now), humans are still using tablet computers--and their dog's name as a password*. And apparently the bad guys love to spout their evil plans without bothering to look for cameras or microphones. In other words, this was not quite the intelligent and futuristic future I was hoping for.
* Yes, most people will probably still be that stupid. But you'd think the computers would prevent such idiocy, or we'd be way past text passwords by then.
Still, it's an entertaining series with some kick-a$$ ladies, and all sorts of dilemmas. I thought the ending was weak (and a main character did something profoundly stupid, unnecessary, and
Spoiler
fatalAliens?
Spoiler
No.AI?
Spoiler
Yes.Recommended? Yes.
This was the perfect conclusion to this trilogy. I can’t even put better words to it at the moment, it was just exactly what I hoped it would be. Best book I’ve read in a long time.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received a free copy of this work from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
John Scalzi delivers the goods with the final volume of the Interdependency trilogy. If you enjoyed the first two books' tale of political outsider Cardenia Wu-Patrick trying to survive after being unexpectedly named the head of an interplanetary empire based on the monopolies of powerful families, you'll devour the conclusion. Once again Cardenia, or Emperox Grayland II, battles the wicked and scheming Nohamapetan clan, aided by her lover Marce Claremont and ally Kiva Lagos. As in the first two books, Cardenia/Grayland is kind, honest, and determined to find a way to save the common people of her empire from the collapse of the space highway that connects them, despite the murderous machinations of her enemies. Those enemies, paper-thin and unabashed in their evil-doing in classic Scalzi fashion, do not hesitate to bribe, kidnap, and murder to get rid of Cardenia and preserve their monopolies. Cardenia's beau, Marce, the least-developed of the three main characters, is just as smart, innocent, and naive as in the earlier books. Kiva Lago is just as foul-mouthed and unstoppable as before, though slightly less horny, in part because she's too busy fighting for her life to have much sex, and in part because she is committed to a monogamous relationship with her new love, Senia Fundapellonan, formerly the top lawyer for the villainous Nohamapetans. Kiva takes center stage for much of this novel, as Marce's important, universe-saving scientific work requires a bit less attention than in the first two books, and Cardenia's plan to save her empire, the big surprise of the novel, is executed out of sight and only revealed in the spectacular climax in the cathedral. Will good triumph over evil? Will the good-hearted ruler, earnest scientist, and potty-mouthed badass successfully save humanity? Will true love conquer all? From the start of the series, it's been pretty clear despite all the roller-coaster-ride twists of plot that the answers will be. Like a roller coaster, the ride is just as much fun despite knowing exactly where you're going.
John Scalzi delivers the goods with the final volume of the Interdependency trilogy. If you enjoyed the first two books' tale of political outsider Cardenia Wu-Patrick trying to survive after being unexpectedly named the head of an interplanetary empire based on the monopolies of powerful families, you'll devour the conclusion. Once again Cardenia, or Emperox Grayland II, battles the wicked and scheming Nohamapetan clan, aided by her lover Marce Claremont and ally Kiva Lagos. As in the first two books, Cardenia/Grayland is kind, honest, and determined to find a way to save the common people of her empire from the collapse of the space highway that connects them, despite the murderous machinations of her enemies. Those enemies, paper-thin and unabashed in their evil-doing in classic Scalzi fashion, do not hesitate to bribe, kidnap, and murder to get rid of Cardenia and preserve their monopolies. Cardenia's beau, Marce, the least-developed of the three main characters, is just as smart, innocent, and naive as in the earlier books. Kiva Lago is just as foul-mouthed and unstoppable as before, though slightly less horny, in part because she's too busy fighting for her life to have much sex, and in part because she is committed to a monogamous relationship with her new love, Senia Fundapellonan, formerly the top lawyer for the villainous Nohamapetans. Kiva takes center stage for much of this novel, as Marce's important, universe-saving scientific work requires a bit less attention than in the first two books, and Cardenia's plan to save her empire, the big surprise of the novel, is executed out of sight and only revealed in the spectacular climax in the cathedral. Will good triumph over evil? Will the good-hearted ruler, earnest scientist, and potty-mouthed badass successfully save humanity? Will true love conquer all? From the start of the series, it's been pretty clear despite all the roller-coaster-ride twists of plot that the answers will be
Spoiler
yes, hell yes, and just maybe
Damn, I wasn't expecting that. I wanted a happy ending, but what I got was a good ending, both for the book and the series as a whole.
I couldn't help but think of what Spock says to Kirk at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
I think Kiva Lagos might have a few choice words in my position.
I couldn't help but think of what Spock says to Kirk at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
I never took the Kobayashi Maru test until now. What do you think of my solution?
I think Kiva Lagos might have a few choice words in my position.
This book is not good. It is a very boring read and with profanity-laced throughout you begin to think the author needs a wordsmith. I found it hard to even finish this book as the plot was poorly derived.
This has been my favorite of The Interdependency series, so far. I enjoy the characters more and more in each installment, and even the villains are so entertaining that you can't really hate them, hate them.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes