Reviews with content warning for Torture - Empire of Silence

"Empire of Silence" is an amazing first step into the realm of epic Space Operas, providing a compelling introduction to the genre. As someone inclined towards medium-fast paced narratives and wary of extensive world-building, I was wary of starting such a lengthy book outside of my comfort zone. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

The story follows Hadrian Marlowe, our protagonist, grappling with the oppressive rule of his father and the looming threat of future religious servitude. His journey begins as he breaks free from the shackles of his family and class, embarking on a space adventure that is full of danger and mishap.

While laying the groundwork for subsequent installments in the Sun Eater series, the book also delves into significant character development and engaging plotlines. Initially consumed by disdain for his family and only a vague understanding of possible threats and hardships, Hadrian's transformation is palpable as he faces trials that test his resilience and ingrained upbringing.

When Hadrian walks out of his brother's colosseum fight, he symbolically walks out on his family and any future he may have had on Delos. As the plotline progresses Hadrian falls into deeper and deeper trouble:

becoming responsible for his scholar and mentor's banishment, beating his brother, and having his last hope of life as a scholar ripped from him when his getaway spacecraft is stolen and left on a dessert planet

. This rock bottom shifts as Hadrian begins to find meaningful friendships,

first with Cat and then with other low society folks fighting in the colosseum. There is a major shift in Hadrian as he finds fulfillment in friendships and camaraderie, even as he barely scrapes by the bottom of the societal barrel

. We are privy to Hadrian's thoughts as he grapples with his new situations and struggles to find a path forward for his life when door after door are closed in his face. Hadrian's evolution is a testament to the author's skillful storytelling.

A particularly compelling aspect of the narrative is Hadrian's internal conflict as he grapples with the echoes of his father's influence creeping into his own demeanor when he

is plucked from the colosseum and finds himself back in the palace

. This juxtaposition,

set against the backdrop of newfound friendships forged in the hardships of gladiator fights

, serves as a poignant exploration of identity and what is means to belong.

The world-building in "Empire of Silence" is remarkable. As someone who often finds themselves overwhelmed by extensive fictional terminology and intricate political systems, I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly I was able to navigate the universe crafted by the author. Despite the abundance of politics, planets, cultures, and beings, the narrative unfolds in a manner that allows readers to gradually absorb the intricacies of the universe without feeling overwhelmed. The author adeptly introduces critical terminology without bogging down the narrative, ensuring that readers can immerse themselves in the story without getting lost in a sea of unfamiliar terms.

What truly sets the world-building apart, however, is the author's ability to breathe life into the planets and species encountered throughout the story. Every aspect of the universe feels meticulously crafted and immersive.

The writing style employed in "Empire of Silence" is unusual but equally captivating. From the outset, Hadrian provides glimpses of his own future exploits, explicitly providing snippets of the monumental events that await him on his journey. These are interspersed in a way where we are regularly reminded that Hadrian is now far in the future and many significant things have happened to him, but we are then plopped back down into the plot. This is an unusual but well-done technique; one would think this might make the present story boring or feel unimportant but the book kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

The thematic depth and symbolism woven throughout "Empire of Silence" offer a rich tapestry for readers to explore and analyze. One of the most striking themes is the exploration of family dynamics, particularly through Hadrian's complex relationship with his lineage. Born out of a vat through technological manipulation and genetic engineering, Hadrian grapples with the notion of familial bonds amidst a backdrop of his father's cruelty and mother's absence. His struggle with the significance of his blood not being enough,

being ever more clear when his father's disinheritance

, underscores the intricate interplay between identity, inheritance, and legacy.

Additionally, the theme of class disparity permeates the narrative, serving as a primary divide within the universe. Defined by biological lineage, social classes are rigidly delineated, with the upper echelons enjoying genetic advantages while the lower classes languish in disease and physical imperfections. Hadrian's journey from privilege to poverty offers an exploration of resilience and adaptation in the face of inequality in the hyperbolic class-based society.

Religion emerges as another compelling thematic thread, particularly through the lens of the Chandry's enforced worship of Earth. While the notion of worshiping a distant planet is initially humorous, the enforcement of this religion has dark implications. Through this exploration, the narrative offers a thought-provoking commentary on religious indoctrination , the dangers of corruption, and the insidious nature of a mandated worldview where free speech is heresy. By juxtaposing the absurdity of religious dogma with its potential for manipulation and oppression, the novel encourages readers to critically examine the role of belief systems in shaping societal structures and individual autonomy.

I found the plot of "Empire of Silence" to be thoroughly engaging, with Hadrian Marlowe's journey always filled with intriguing developments. I particularly enjoyed the introduction of

the Ceilian and the enigmatic Quiet

, adding depth to the universe and hinting at larger mysteries yet to be unveiled. Despite the slower pacing compared to my usual reads, the narrative maintained a momentum that kept me invested throughout. Witnessing Hadrian navigate his internal struggles amidst ever-changing external circumstances lent a palpable sense of humanity to his character, endearing him to readers despite his flaws.

However, a few aspects prevented the book from earning a five-star rating in my eyes. While the masculine tone of the narrative didn't detract from my overall enjoyment, I couldn't help but feel that a greater exploration of emotional depth could have elevated the storytelling further for me. Additionally, certain sections delving into graphic descriptions of torture were too intense for me, leading to some skimming (although I can appreciate that they were at least relevant to the plot and not used unnecessarily). Lastly, while the book effectively sets the stage for the rest of the series, I wished for a slightly more substantial payoff at the end of such a lengthy book.

Nevertheless, "Empire of Silence" was a memorable read and captivating introduction to the genre of epic space operas. Despite its flaws, I wholeheartedly would recommend it to enthusiasts of science fiction and expansive world-building. For its immersive universe, compelling characters, and gripping narrative, I rate it a solid 9 out of 10.

Content Warnings

gr3yfoxhound's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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rosebee00's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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cheazcakeguy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There is so much to love about this book, and I have a hard time thinking of anything negative to say about it, but for some reason there were a couple long stretches in this book that were hard to get through for reasons I can't quite explain. It just wasn't much of a page-turner at times. Maybe it was the uneven pacing of the plot, or maybe I just wasn't interested in what was going on, but it was certainly a chore to read at times.

With that out of the way, though, I can talk about everything I loved! The character development in this book is some of the best I've ever read in sci-fi/fantasy. Hadrian, the protagonist whose point-of-view we see this story from, is such a complex character who changes throughout the book. His choices are always believable, for better or worse, and the book really deconstructs his psychology throughout. You fully understand where he is coming from and feel his inner turmoil. This is written as if Hadrian is writing his own memoir near the end of his life, after gaining much more experience and wisdom than he has in this book. In the beginning he is insufferable and annoying, which was hard to enjoy while reading (one of the difficult sections I mentioned above). But his development from that person into the more calculating, restrained, and empathetic person who we see by the end of the novel is extremely well done and satisfying. He is by no means perfect by the end either, leaving plenty of room for future development through the rest of the series. The whole book really feels like its purpose is to be a character study of Hadrian, to make it clear who he is and where he comes from in order to set up the rest of the series, and presumably understand him better before moving on to the rest of his story.

The world-building is also excellent. It is detailed, without overexplaining everything. The empire is a chilling portrait of some of the worst aspects of humanity and modern society. The Cielcin are portrayed as an unknowable, dangerous threat that you can't help but want to know more about. And the descriptions of buildings, ships, landscapes, etc. are so detailed and vivid. On that note, this book is also extremely well-written, with beautifully written passages and poignant statements throughout as Hadrian (our narrator) reflects on his past. It truly feels like something written by Hadrian, who frequently admits that he can't help being melodramatic all the time (though the melodrama comes off in the best possible way, I swear).

Lastly, the book's exploration of themes was probably my favorite thing about it. Even if I was occasionally bored with the actual events of the plot, the book always has insightful statements to make on themes like death, religion, oppression, freedom, fate, control, power, survival, xenophobia, and many more. Even if a conclusion isn't reached about a certain idea, it still leaves you pondering and reflecting on how they are presented in the world of the novel and in our own world.

Overall, I think this book is excellent. It is an epic introduction to what I can only hope will be continually epic story, that will continue building on the characters and themes presented here. I am definitely going to keep reading this series, whenever I get the time to anyway.

Content Warnings

le_lobey's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I chose to read it during a challenge where I logged pages every day — I'm amazed I got through it in only two weeks! A trope-tastic fantasy masquerading as space opera. I really enjoyed the world(s), all of the vivid settings, and the tastes of political intrigue.

I think Ruocchio found a good balance of action and reflection. Surprisingly, I didn't mind the first-person narration which usually turns me off. That device gives us a decent look into Hadrian's mind both as a young man and as an author much later in his life. I appreciated that the story knew when to give play by play narration and when to skip over months or even years, though there were a few times where this felt like it could have been handled more deftly.

It was a bit over-written at times, and I didn't love the romance plot. Hadrian's inability to communicate with Valka was understandable, but inconsistent with the rest of his characterization. I'm excited to see where the series goes from here.

*Borrowed from BPL*

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