New York Times Best Seller USA Today Best Seller io9’s New Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books You Need to Put On Your Radar This FallKirkus’ SF/F Books to Watch Out for in 2018 Popular Mechanics Best Books of 2018 (So Far) Goodreads’ Most Anticipated Fantasy and Science Fiction Books The Consuming Fire–the New York Times and USA Today bestselling sequel to the 2018 Hugo Award Best Novel finalist and 2018 … and USA Today bestselling sequel to the 2018 Hugo Award Best Novel finalist and 2018 Locus Award-winning The Collapsing Empire—an epic space-opera novel in the bestselling Interdependency series, from the Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author John Scalzi
The Interdependency–humanity’s interstellar empire–is on the verge of collapse. The extra-dimensional conduit that makes travel between the stars possible is disappearing, leaving entire systems and human civilizations stranded.
Emperox Grayland II of the Interdependency is ready to take desperate measures to help ensure the survival of billions. But arrayed before her are those who believe the collapse of the Flow is a myth–or at the very least an opportunity to an ascension to power.
While Grayland prepares for disaster, others are prepare for a civil war. A war that will take place in the halls of power, the markets of business and the altars of worship as much as it will between spaceships and battlefields.
The Emperox and her allies are smart and resourceful, as are her enemies. Nothing about this will be easy… and all of humanity will be caught in its consuming fire.
The Interdependency Series
1. The Collapsing Empire
2. The Consuming Fire
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Another fun and creative work with a good blend of palace intrigue, action, imaginative sci-fi ideas, and inevitable ‘Scalzi snark’. I enjoyed this book, coming off a poignant and emotionally difficult read, it was nice to escape into Scalzi’s ‘Interdependency’.
As to the plot, I think the strength is mix and pacing. For as much politics, religion, and manipulative maneuvering as there is, this book still moves quickly. There is action, including assassination attempts, prison escapes, and spaceship battles, but it’s quick and limited – almost as if Scalzi’s trying to hold back on what he already does well. I like the Dalasyslansian side quest and I’m sure we’ll see more of that storyline in the third book. I didn’t mind that the science behind the ‘flow’ is shifting, but I’m not sure about the flow ‘effervescence’. It feels a bit of Dues ex Machina to allow some additional plot points to be added into future storylines. No more details on this to prevent spoilers.But, I loved the fact that the story is not predictable – nothing kills a sci-fi book for me than an obvious plot. The reveal of historical plot points is fantastic and make my imagination dream up all kinds of potential storylines for book three. Along the same lines, the expansion of the memory room concept is cool and classic Scalzi. It also opens a lot of doors for the story.
It did feel like Scalzi is intentionally working on his weaknesses, specifically focusing on unique character development, relationships, and female perspective. I appreciate this effort, even if it’s not his sweet spot of fast-moving action and brain-stirring sci-fi ideas. IMHO, he’s improving (hah – who am I to say), and I liked the kickass Kiva and I care about Grayson and I hated Countess Nohamapetan (as intended, I’m sure). The female characters feel more fully developed to me than in “Old Man’s War”, even if they are a bit more preoccupied with sex than most IRL women (of course, what do I know about women – nothing – ask my wife).
A solid second book in an enjoyable, well-paced, and well-mixed space opera. Four stars for this fun, fantastical, space frolic across the far-out Interdependency Flow!
I jumped right on THE CONSUMING FIRE as soon as I was done with my other audiobook and was rewarded with another fast-paced, funny, and intriguing John Scalzi book. There’s a reason why John Scalzi is my favorite author, and you can see it in this series. A wide-sweeping story! Funny and interesting characters! (Kiva Lagos in my official favorite.) Lots of surprises and twists! This book and series has it all. I caught myself laughing out loud while walking in the park, mainly because Wil Wheaton’s delivery was so on-point. This series is a joy in audio. I highly recommend it.
good read
Always, and a long time fan, of John Scalzi. I missed the first book in this series but quickly picked up the story line. If this is the first time you’ve read Scalzi be sure to check out his “Old Man’s War” series – they’re amazing~!
I love John Scalzi’s books. This is a great series – very original and smart.
Part of a trilogy. Mankind has spread to the stars but remains the same human race with the same glories and horrors in our souls. The books themselves are fairly short but their impact isn’t.
I put this series right up there with Old Man’s War. I didn’t want it to end.
One of Scalzi’s best
Great syfy story! Loved the whole series. Scalzi is a fantastic writer. The audiobooks narrated by Wil Wheaton are very entertaining.
It’s been a while since I read book 1 and I didn’t have many memories of it. They were mostly refreshed, but not necessary, as this story stands on its own with unforgettable characters, A great plot and lots of drama! The twists and turns characters with lots of power and lots of money and lots of ambition can dream up make up for entertaining reading. I am looking forward to the next installment.
Another wild & witty Scalzi space drama.
great book 2 to a fantastic series
Welcome back to all you crazy, agenda-driven characters from The Collapsing Empire. It’s just freaking dandy to have your machinations, duplicity, and of course, sarcasm, here again to smack us in the face, in true Scalzi form.
In this second book of the Interdependency series, we again embrace the empire as Emperox Grayland II understands and rules it. But we also become privy to some fascinating revelations about the Interdependency’s origins as well as the ability to navigate it.
“I was just talking about you,” Cardenia said, coming up to him.
“To your imaginary friends, I see.”
“They’re not imaginary. They’re just not real.”
“Very subtle distinction.”
We already knew it was all about The Flow, which (not a spoiler) is Scalzi’s extended metaphor for Earth’s climate change. What we didn’t know was that Cardenia needs to start asking her “imaginary” predecessors the right questions or risk missing valuable information that could save the empire.
A library is not information; it is a means of preserving information. In every case, before memory or information can be stored, someone must decide what must be stored. Someone must choose. Someone must curate.
There are so many compelling activities happening all at once — sex, betrayal, power struggles, religious skepticism, political manipulations — but I never felt like I was reading the space equivalent of a soap opera. It was Scalzi’s special brand of scathing humor that propelled the story forward, and kept it from getting bogged down with a gossipy or soapy feel. It’s never clean, but damn, it’s works.
And finally, a hat tip to Wil Wheaton for again nailing the narration on the Audible audio version. It’s almost uncanny how no one can perform John Scalzi’s raucous writing like he can.
A great part of the series.
This is the sequel to The Collapsing Empire, also a great read! Good science fiction about how the future could be…. and how the future is like the present…
I always enjoy Scalzi books. This one felt very much like the second book in a trilogy (or perhaps a series). It felt a little weaker than “The Collapsing Empire”, the first book in the series. There was a little more emphasis on politics. The major “bad guys” in this installment did not make a big impression. The ending felt a little rushed and there was a deus ex machina element that felt unnecessary. Also, I hate deus ex machina elements in the climax of stories. (*Spoiler Alert* how is it that the supersmart, it will find all hidden secret knowledge, thingie has spectacularly large and convenient gaps in it knowledge of ancient military and political secrets?) Finally, the last third of the book felt like a set up for the next (final?) installment in the series. I would not recommend starting the series with this one; however, if you have enjoyed “The Collapsing Empire”, you will probably enjoy “The Consuming Fire”. It is full of Scalzi’s brisk dialogue, Machiavellian plotting and plenty of twists and turns.
After reading The Consuming Fire, as with John Scalzi’s last few books, I was left disappointed and with a definite feeling of “meh.” I have thoroughly enjoyed his earlier work, especially the Old Man’s War series and Fuzzy Nation. Unfortunately his last few books, Head On, The Collapsing Empire and The Consuming Fire, seemed to have been written with an eye on deadlines instead of good writing. These three books are awash with typos (words left out of sentences), and the writing mechanics are not nearly up to his earlier work. They read like first drafts. Then I read the acknowledgments in The Consuming Fire, in which Scalzi praises Tor for “turning my manuscript into a book worth buying…” I hope Scalzi goes back to his roots of good writing. His story telling is still exceptional, but honestly, his writing has deteriorated to that of the scores of “direct to Kindle” writers out there.
The story picks up pretty much where The Collapsing Empire leaves off. The three viewpoint characters, Cardenia, Marce, and Kiva return in this new volume.
Cardenia is becoming more comfortable in her role of Emperox and spiritual figurehead. She has decided to move forward with preparing the Interdependency for the Flow’s collapse. There is doubt against her from her government, from the Wu clan, and from the church she leads.
Marce has found some new changes in the Flow’s collapse. He teams up with another scientist who had been studying the Flow for House Nohamapetan. They determine there could be new, temporary Flow shoals that can pop up. One of these leads to a previously lost member of the interdependency. They convince Cardenia to let them launch an expedition.
Kiva Lagos has taken to the task of dealing with the Nohamapetan’s dealings around Hub. Her efforts have turned up some rather elaborate skimming schemes. The Nohamapetan house is less than thrilled with her management of their functions. She also finds love!
There’s a lot to enjoy with The Consuming Fire. Just like it’s predecessor, it’s an easy read that’s fun to get into. Scalzi’s story-telling is breezy and enjoyable. He keeps the chapters short enough to keep pulling the reader through the story. I found myself toting the book around to different appointments so I could read it in my free time. I loved the exploration aspect in this story. The idea that there’s a lot more beyond the Interdependency is both exciting and intriguing.
A big theme of the story is the use of religion as a tool by the government. It definitely follows what Scalzi established previously. The use of religion as a political tool is historically undeniable. From the deification of the pharaohs to the creation of the Holy Roman Empire, history has shown time and again that religion and power go hand-in-hand.
But the way religion is handled is hard to swallow.
Personally, I think religion when properly handled can be a positive force in the world. It can give people a sense of belonging. It can also provide a strong mythology for people to use as a cornerstone for their identity. The brain is a story-making machine, and faith can provide a context for the personal story.
Let me point out: not everyone feels religious faith is necessary, and that’s perfectly fine. I think Scalzi was trying to make points about the use of religion by government, not about faith as a whole.
But he doesn’t present it in a concrete, understandable way. I don’t know the tenants of the Interdependancy’s religion after reading this book. I know it’s a bit sanitary in practice; i.e., it doesn’t normally trend towards the mystical. It promotes being a decent person. But I don’t know how the faith actually provides believers with a higher understanding of their place in the cosmos.
The way Cardenia uses the church in her official capacity is an interesting move. She knows why the church was created, and seems to have some qualms about the morality of her role in it. But she doesn’t hesitate to use it to prepare people for the imminent disaster. I liked that development; but I wish we could have seen some more personal wrestling with this idea. She makes up her mind to use a religious approach between books, and so we’re only really seeing the aftermath.
I also had issues with the way the science was glossed over in the story. In several points, Marce was asked about particular details in the science. And he always said to the layperson that they wouldn’t understand the math involved.
I don’t typically like hard SF. Space opera and science fantasy are my jam. But I do want some more technobabble in my science fiction. I understand that pacing is a concern, but it doesn’t have to be a lot. Just a bit. It’s the paprika on the deviled egg.
The characters didn’t have a lot of internal drama, either. It’s a rather plot-based story. There are some romantic elements. It was easy to see from the last book that Marce and Cardenia would become an item. Box checked. But, for the most part, the characters remained static people. There wasn’t a lot of personal growth. Just preparation for the upcoming Flow collapse.
Finally, it doesn’t feel like this is a middle book of a trilogy. It feels like book two out of at least a six book story. The overall story moves a bit, but not significantly. I still feel like there’s a lot more to learn about this world. That’s not a bad feeling; I’m being entertained. I just want more.
The overall length of the book was just over 300 pages. It could have at least 150 more pages. I would have loved to see more world-building, more character development, and also more advancement of the plot. What we got was good, but The Consuming Fire could have been even better.