Empire Ascensions

The Exile Empire #2

by Joshua Done

After the fall of Earth, the surviving humans colonized other worlds and formed the Hyperion Empire. At the Empire’s center: the planet Lintalla. The rest is comprised of human clans and alien civilizations. Although the Empire has enjoyed peace for many years, the threat of war with the bear-like Tarin ‘Tal and other enemy tribes is never far away.

During a routine diplomatic visit, a courtship between the Empire and potential new members, something seems amiss. In the midst of all the state dinners, planetary tours, and exhibition tournaments, James Ursidae—son of the legendary warrior and founder of the Emperor’s elite guard known as the Hammer—senses that tensions between some of the Imperial factions are approaching a boiling point. An assassination attempt on James and his companions, including the Emperor’s daughter, confirms his worst fears.

As the Empire hovers on the brink of war, James assumes his birthright and ascends to the post his father once occupied, leading the Hammer Warriors into battle, but he is only beginning to discover the depth of the conspiracy and the destruction it will wreak, threatening to destroy his mother, his friends, the woman he loves, and the very foundations of the Empire.

378 pages, Multiple Formats

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Author of science fiction and fantasy. Follow for commentary and entertainment. Current new release: I Overlord

Reviews

[Andrew Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empire Ascensions is the sequel to Exile Empire, the first novel in the series by Joshua Done. As such, it’s a little hard to get into without the backstory of Exile Empire under your belt. If you haven’t read that book first, I highly recommend picking it up before even considering the sequel. Significant events and characters from the first novel are built on and mentioned fondly and often. With a planetary history of war heroes and mixed alien races, intricate political power struggles, and enough names and locations to rival a George R. R. Martin novel, Ascensions unapologetically thrusts readers into its already-established world. There are inside jokes and internal references to characters unseen and quirks inherent to the world on display, which is can be a mixed bag.

On one hand, there’s a lot of information to digest, even in the first few chapters, and some of it sticks in the throat a bit while you’re trying to swallow (names like Hekdokern Belk are a little jarring when first introduced). On the other hand, the way in which the author plays with everything he’s built, bouncing personalities and perspectives off of each other almost casually, makes it feel like Done is extremely comfortable here. The universe feels as realized and consequential as something like Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, or Star Wars, and that kind of world crafting fails more often than it works. Here, it works.

There are tropes on display, which comes with the sci-fi/fantasy territory, but the book is the kind of intense escape in which fans of the genre thoroughly enjoy immersing themselves. There’s very little fluff here, and everything feels connected and almost symbiotic in a way. As much as it sounds like I’m criticizing the novel’s intricacies, and admittedly the aroma wafting in from the introductory chapters is strong, it’s that intertwining of so much information that fills you up and keeps you munching down once you’ve taken a bite.

[Amanda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the second installment of the Exile Empire series, Empire Ascensions delivers the action-packed, muscular battle sequences that distinguished its predecessor. The stakes remain high for the Hyperion Empire, now well-established but laboring to survive and expand its influence. We meet a diverse and entertaining array of civilizations, and the political machinations between potential allies are easily as engaging as the fights with familiar enemies.

At the center of this installment is James Secundus Ursidae, son of the legendary hero of Exile Empire, James Ursidae. James is tormented by inner conflict about filling his father's shoes, but his legacy is never in any doubt through training sequences and later in battle. His skills are prolific, but he also shows a wry sense of humor; James is a young man of exceptional talents who is coming to terms with what it will mean to assume the mantle of leadership that is his birthright-- I found myself thinking more than once of Prince Hal in Shakespeare's Henry V.

Most impressive is that the intricacies and texture of Done's world-building is complete and immersive enough to fully enthrall a newcomer to this series. While I recommend reading the series in order, you can pick up with this novel with little trouble-- though you'll likely feel compelled to return to book one, if only to spend a little more time on Lintalla.

[Noah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book through a recommendation of a friend. This is the 2nd book in the series. the first book was amazing and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book. The pacing of the story is carried on through the second book. Amazing writer. You should definitely put this in your must read list.

[Janet M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. It needs better edited battle scenes.

They are too long. Overall I enjoyed the characters. I am awaiting his next book eagerly. I think he has a good series.

[Keri Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great action.

[Josiah Done · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book