Review: The Last Emperox (The Interdependency #3) by John Scalzi

Rating: 8.0/10

Synopsis

The collapse of The Flow, the interstellar pathway between the planets of the Interdependency, has accelerated. Entire star systems—and billions of people—are becoming cut off from the rest of human civilization. This collapse was foretold through scientific prediction… and yet, even as the evidence is obvious and insurmountable, many still try to rationalize, delay and profit from, these final days of one of the greatest empires humanity has ever known.

Emperox Grayland II has finally wrested control of her empire from those who oppose her and who deny the reality of this collapse. But “control” is a slippery thing, and even as Grayland strives to save as many of her people from impoverished isolation, the forces opposing her rule will make a final, desperate push to topple her from her throne and power, by any means necessary. Grayland and her thinning list of allies must use every tool at their disposal to save themselves, and all of humanity. And yet it may not be enough.

Will Grayland become the savior of her civilization… or the last emperox to wear the crown?

Review

Thanks to the Audible, the author, and the narrator for a listening copy of The Last Emperox (The Interdependency #3) for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.

Let’s be honest, if you’ve read the first two (2) novels in the series, you at least have it in mind to finish off the trilogy, right? Well, let me go ahead and tell you that the finale doesn’t disappoint, which is something I really couldn’t say about The Consuming Fire.

Throughout the trilogy, Scalzi’s whip-crack prose and punchy dialogue hit at 1,000 mph and delivers one of the fastest series I’ve ever been through. I know I listened to Wheaton’s narration at 2x+, but I think he even got tired at how quick the pace is in the author’s writing. There is zero room for a coffee break, hell, even a for an opportunity to throw some water on your face. It is hit after hit of explosive dialogue, packed action scenes, and enough profanity laced rants to make your grandma blush. You know, on top of how everything interwoven through the trilogy is a nice little knock to the system we experience here in reality land.

The best apart about this series, other than the humor and the fact that I can listen to Will Wheaton narrate just about anything, is the science. All of the components surrounding The Flow, down to the nitty gritty bits, are absolutely fascinating. I mean come on, an interstellar pathway between planets? Get it, science.

This is my 2nd series by Scalzi, the other being Lock In, and I REALLY need to get to his Old Man’s War series which may happen somewhere in the near future; but he is definitely an author I will continue to keep coming back to. His penchant for writing fast-paced novels that have plenty of engagement and intrigue will continue to cement him as a “change of pace” type author on my shelf.