This is the first installment of a promised trilogy, wherein John Scalzi sets up the dominoes of an interstellar empire, then gives them a gentle push and describes just how they tumble. It is a light-hearted and easy read, and largely undemanding. The story flows along at a good pace, absent of boring bits, and with the odd shock or climax to up the ante from time to time. If you have read Scalzi's blog, you will recognise his voice.
The 'Interdependency' (the imperial monarchy, the parliament, the church and bickering trade-guilds) share the government (and the spoils) of two-score planetary systems, linked together by 'The Flow', a convenient hyperspace-like miracle of SF cosmology. And just as well, since there is but one system which contains a habitable world (named 'End' because it is farthest from the imperial centre of 'Hub'), this humanity lives in habitats, domes and tunnels dug into airless rocks and enormous space stations, all of which are dependent on trade from other systems via the 'Flow'.
And now, there are disturbances in the 'Flow'. A system which loses its connection with the Interdependency might struggle to survive. And such a disasters have happened. The link to Earth was lost. A physicist's work suggests that the 'Flow' will soon collapse.
The story follows the exploits of three main characters. The new Emperox, Greyland II, who must learn to rule in difficult times (certainly needs better security!!). Trade Guild member, Lady Kiva Lagos, whose prodigious appetite for sex with underlings and foul mouth are front and centre in her strivings to defend the interests of her House. And Mance Claremont, the physicist tasked with bringing unwelcome news to those who will not understand it, and who will therefore choose not believe it because well, believing it and doing something about it would cost them money.
Scalzi insists the 'The Collapsing Empire' is not an allegory referencing the sorry state of the USA, Brexit and the idiocy of climate change skeptics, but the parallels are compelling. There is a cliffhanger at the end, where Greyland II seeks to turn the central lie of the Interdependency on its head in order to save it. Finding what this cunning plan might be is reason enough to seek out the sequel.
The 'Interdependency' (the imperial monarchy, the parliament, the church and bickering trade-guilds) share the government (and the spoils) of two-score planetary systems, linked together by 'The Flow', a convenient hyperspace-like miracle of SF cosmology. And just as well, since there is but one system which contains a habitable world (named 'End' because it is farthest from the imperial centre of 'Hub'), this humanity lives in habitats, domes and tunnels dug into airless rocks and enormous space stations, all of which are dependent on trade from other systems via the 'Flow'.
And now, there are disturbances in the 'Flow'. A system which loses its connection with the Interdependency might struggle to survive. And such a disasters have happened. The link to Earth was lost. A physicist's work suggests that the 'Flow' will soon collapse.
The story follows the exploits of three main characters. The new Emperox, Greyland II, who must learn to rule in difficult times (certainly needs better security!!). Trade Guild member, Lady Kiva Lagos, whose prodigious appetite for sex with underlings and foul mouth are front and centre in her strivings to defend the interests of her House. And Mance Claremont, the physicist tasked with bringing unwelcome news to those who will not understand it, and who will therefore choose not believe it because well, believing it and doing something about it would cost them money.
Scalzi insists the 'The Collapsing Empire' is not an allegory referencing the sorry state of the USA, Brexit and the idiocy of climate change skeptics, but the parallels are compelling. There is a cliffhanger at the end, where Greyland II seeks to turn the central lie of the Interdependency on its head in order to save it. Finding what this cunning plan might be is reason enough to seek out the sequel.