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A review by frostling
Hidden Empire by Kevin J. Anderson
2.0
661 pages of space opera with all the ingredients readers are used to find in this genre: archaeological mysteries, impressive technology, exotic rogues, ancient civilizations and new alien menace. Yet this novel failed to grasp my interest. I found that everything was too predictable: the fate of Raymond Aguerra, the secret of the Klikiss robots, the discoveries made by the Colicos archaeologists. A trait that is not helped when most sections are developed in a bland manner, taking far too many pages to deliver what could have been said with more punch.
However, the worse blow comes early in the novel when no one reacts to the weird apparitions provoked by the ignition of Oncier. The phenomenon should have been investigated right away, but it’s conveniently forgotten, allowing the galaxy to be surprised when the Hydrogue begins their merciless attacks.
The fact that every chapter starts with a new character also annoyed me, specially as these chapters are very short. It made it difficult for me to develop an interest in their personalities, since we spend so little time with them before moving on to yet another hero. I understand that it was written this way to respect the ‘saga’ atmosphere so important in this series of book, but it didn’t work for me.
However, the worse blow comes early in the novel when no one reacts to the weird apparitions provoked by the ignition of Oncier. The phenomenon should have been investigated right away, but it’s conveniently forgotten, allowing the galaxy to be surprised when the Hydrogue begins their merciless attacks.
The fact that every chapter starts with a new character also annoyed me, specially as these chapters are very short. It made it difficult for me to develop an interest in their personalities, since we spend so little time with them before moving on to yet another hero. I understand that it was written this way to respect the ‘saga’ atmosphere so important in this series of book, but it didn’t work for me.