eBook, 336 pages
English language
Published April 15, 2020 by Tom Doherty Associates.
Entire star systems, and billions of people, are about to be stranded. The pathways that link the stars are collapsing faster than anyone expected, accelerating the fall of civilization. But though the evidence is insurmountable, many are in denial. And some even attempt to profit from the final days of this golden age.
Emperox Grayland II has wrested control of the empire from her enemies. But even as she works to save her people, others seek power. And they will make a final, desperate push to topple her from her throne. Grayland and her depleted allies must use every tool at their disposal to save themselves and humanity – yet it still may not be enough.
Will Grayland become the saviour of her civilization … or the last emperox to wear the crown?
I liked one of the reviewers calling out unrealistic neatness of the conclusion
But it sure was messy enough up to that point.
This could be a 5 star, and some twists were 5-star-worthy for sure
Gave me book hangover, which is a sign of greatness.
(reposting review because my edition got split off from the main work.)
I knew this would be awful. I was not wrong.
It's the same damn problem as the previous book in the series. Every character is too damn clever for their own good. Most characters are paper-thin schemers. The whole basis of the story is just predicting whether an incident will be a double cross or a triple cross or a quadruple cross. "Aha! I anticipated you would double cross so I have taken the liberty of triple crossing you!" Then there is the nature of some of the artificial intelligences that are characters. Specifically that these AI characters pepper every conversation with meta-discussion on the nature of their existence. "I, an AI, am sorry for your loss. Am I actually sorry or am I just programmed to say that? We must discuss the nature of this …
(reposting review because my edition got split off from the main work.)
I knew this would be awful. I was not wrong.
It's the same damn problem as the previous book in the series. Every character is too damn clever for their own good. Most characters are paper-thin schemers. The whole basis of the story is just predicting whether an incident will be a double cross or a triple cross or a quadruple cross. "Aha! I anticipated you would double cross so I have taken the liberty of triple crossing you!" Then there is the nature of some of the artificial intelligences that are characters. Specifically that these AI characters pepper every conversation with meta-discussion on the nature of their existence. "I, an AI, am sorry for your loss. Am I actually sorry or am I just programmed to say that? We must discuss the nature of this at every utterance of a pleasantry."
This series, particularly the second and third books, has been so tedious.
i still had a lot of difficulty to care for the characters. i was more hooked on the first book but i went on because i wanted to know where it was going.
also i like scalzi’s writing and it helps
A very good conclusion to a very good trilogy.
Much like the previous installment, I found the wrapup extremely satisfying but a touch unrealistically neat.
