Where I Praise John Scalzi and Break No New Ground

The Last Emperox by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Basically, this book is good because it's a John Scalzi book, and they are always a pleasure to read. Literally always. It's a rule, and this book does not break that rule.

It is the last book in the Interdependency series, concluding the story of a future far-flung interstellar empire that is in danger of collapsing, and I read it faster than pretty much any book I've read in the last couple years. Scalzi creates interesting characters that the reader can root for (probably the most important ingredient for me), especially female characters like Nadashe Nohamapetan and Kiva Lagos and Cardenia Wu, among others, and and puts them in tough situations where they get to exude attitude and smart off in a way I never stop loving. Always a blast. For me, this novel and the ones that came before it are like pie—the first bite is good, the second is good, and all the rest are also good, up to and including the last bite. All good.

That's also my only criticism. As much as I love the books, they're short on explosive conclusions. (IMO.) I mean, there are lots of payoffs all through the books, times when we can cheer and laugh and say, "Grayland sure surprised them!" and the like. But there is little to no ratcheting up of stakes and excitement near the end. There's a nice resolution and all the threads I care about get tied up, and like a nice pie, it's all good, though the last bit isn't much different from the start.

I'll take it. No problem.

I found the ending satisfying, and I feel like the series has a nice arc. It seems the author wants to give us a story with only the fun parts, so he doesn't overwrite and he doesn't drag it out.

Well, fine.

I've criticized so many novels for being overblown and wordy, in desperate need of cutting... He sidesteps that, and I thank him.

Good stuff. Recommended.

View all my reviews