Isaac Asimov wrote about a collapsing interstellar empire in his Foundation trilogy. Harri Seldon figured out “pyschohistory” that could predict the Future. And Seldon’s equations predicted that the Empire would fall and Dark Ages would begin. Seldon and a band of scientists, armed with their knowledge of the Future, try to cut the Dark Ages short.
In The Collapsing Empire, John Scalzi writes about an interstellar empire that’s linked by “The Flow” which allows a short-cut between far-flung planets and human colonies. A scientist on a planet called End figures out the Flow is going away and all the human colonies will be isolated. The Empire will collapse. If you’re a fan of this kind of 1950’s story-telling, then The Collapsing Empire will entertain you. Scalzi sets up the plotting to suggest further sequels. GRADE: B
Have to agree with your B. Not as good as Old Man’s War. Least Scalzi is easy to follow unlike some hard science writers.
Steve, I’m a big fan of Salzi’s OLD MAN’S WAR series. Salzi signed a 10-year contract with his publisher so we’ll be seeing more volumes of THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE series in the years ahead.
I’d give it a B+. Most of it is setup, so it gets a bit talky, but I got a kick out of some of the talk.
Bill, I also enjoyed some of the banter in THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE. I also liked the opening with the captain of the starship dealing with a mutiny. I’d like to see more of her character.
It definitely sounds like the setup to a series. I have it on hold. I loved OLD MAN’S WAR too. Also enjoyed REDSHIRTS and some of his other stuff.
Jeff, in general, I enjoy Scalzi’s work. He’s an Old School SF writer.
I like the idea of the flow. that sounds interesting and the collapse of it is a comment of what we’re going thru with climate change
Maggie, you would enjoy THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE. Unlike Asimov’s FOUNDATION trilogy, Scalzi includes several dazzling women characters in his story.
I’m with Bill, a B+ is more appropriate. Obviously the set-up for a sequel, or series, but that’s fine. I like Scalzi’s work quite a lot, though this seemed like “Scalzi light”.
Rick, you’re right on the money with your “Scalzi-lite” remark. I’ll read the next book in THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE series when it’s published. Hopefully, Scalzi can inject more action into the story with less blah, blah, blah.
Dark Ages sounds a little too prescient.
Patti, dystopias and collapsing empires tend to be metaphors for our times.
Better late than never:
Scalzi appeared at George R R Martin’s Jean Cocteau Cinema a few days ago.
And GRRM will have a video ofthe talk on his website soon:
http://grrm.livejournal.com/
Wolf, thanks for the link! Scalzi sure gets around!