Hardcover, 320 pages
English language
Published Feb. 25, 2020 by Tor.
The Last Emperox is the thrilling conclusion to the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling Interdependency series, an epic space opera adventure from Hugo Award-winning author John Scalzi. 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 form impoverished isolation, the forces opposing …
The Last Emperox is the thrilling conclusion to the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling Interdependency series, an epic space opera adventure from Hugo Award-winning author John Scalzi. 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 form 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?
Great plot, great world, amazing characters, so fun and funny
I thought it was a satisfying end to the trilogy. Discoveries are made, very important people get killed, and more plot twists making the story super engaging. I loved the characters in this series, and also the sci-fi ideas: with star systems risking being disconnected from the rest of the world, how to save everybody? How to save millions of people from a natural disaster? How to avoid the ones in power from being selfish and only saving themselves? I had lots of fun with this series.
The weakest of the trilogy. Packed full of wonderful ideas and no time spent in any of them. It felt very rushed.
I’m glad I read it. I’m the trilogy was good, but fizzled out a bit.
Might try some other Scalzi books and see how they go.
Why, exactly, did the Emperox have to die to stop the plots against her? How does her dying stop them? It doesn't make any sense at all other than for dramatic effect with her romance.
Books are easy reading but not very good.
make sure to read "the collapsing empire" and "the consuming fire" first
It provides an ending to the saga of the Interdependency, but... It felt rushed and a bit overstuffed. There were a lot of chapters of exposition. A great deal happened but a lot of it was viewed at a great remove.
So it's a satisfactory end to a perfectly entertaining and fun trilogy. Moving on.
So it's a satisfactory end to a perfectly entertaining and fun trilogy. Moving on.
Read if you enjoyed previous parts of the Interdependency series.
Good:
Lady Kiva and her dirty mouth.
Interesting revelations about the memory room.
Bad:
Same plot as the previous books: Nadashe plots to depose Cardenia; fails in the end.
Space's wasted on reintroducing old characters and retelling old storylines. More interesting bit about saving the Interdependency is left out.
* Cardenia's victory is rushed.
This is a superb conclusion to the Interdependency trilogy. I will happily admit that I stayed up till 2 am finishing it the day after I got it. Scalzi is amazing at making his characters come alive.
I certainly hope this isn't the last time we see this particular universe and these characters.
