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Imperials #3
The Hidden World
An explosive new space opera from the Emmy Award-winning scriptwriter of Star The Next Generation
Fourteen years have passed since he was framed for theft to cover up an imperial atrocity, and disgraced military officer Thracius “Tracy” Belmanor has built a new life for himself. Living under an assumed name as the captain of a small trading vessel crewed primarily by aliens, he and his crew engage in both legal and illegal deals just under the radar of the Solar League authorities.
At the other end of the social hierarchy, Princess Mercedes de Arango has her own problems—the major one being the lack of an heir. Meanwhile her philandering husband Boho Cullen has ably proved the problem isn’t him. With rumors of a coup swirling around the throne, Mercedes makes the desperate decision to undertake a military campaign and gain her people’s allegiance through a victory. But when things go badly wrong and her future lies in the hands of the man she betrayed, Tracy has a choice to make—can he ever forgive her?
Fourteen years have passed since he was framed for theft to cover up an imperial atrocity, and disgraced military officer Thracius “Tracy” Belmanor has built a new life for himself. Living under an assumed name as the captain of a small trading vessel crewed primarily by aliens, he and his crew engage in both legal and illegal deals just under the radar of the Solar League authorities.
At the other end of the social hierarchy, Princess Mercedes de Arango has her own problems—the major one being the lack of an heir. Meanwhile her philandering husband Boho Cullen has ably proved the problem isn’t him. With rumors of a coup swirling around the throne, Mercedes makes the desperate decision to undertake a military campaign and gain her people’s allegiance through a victory. But when things go badly wrong and her future lies in the hands of the man she betrayed, Tracy has a choice to make—can he ever forgive her?
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2018
10 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Melinda M. Snodgrass
69 books221 followersMELINDA M. SNODGRASS
Melinda Snodgrass was born in Los Angeles, but her family moved to New Mexico when she was five months old making her almost a native. She studied opera at the Conservatory of Vienna in Austria, graduated from U.N.M. with a degree in history, and went on to Law School. She practiced for three years, and discovered that while she loved the law she hated lawyers so she began writing.
In 1988 she accepted a job on Star Trek: TNG, and began her Hollywood career. Her novels, The High Ground, In Evil Times and The Hidden World are available from Titan Books. She is the executive producer on the upcoming Wild Cards shows being developed for Hulu. Her passion (aside from writing) is riding her Lusitano stallion Vento da Broga.
Melinda Snodgrass was born in Los Angeles, but her family moved to New Mexico when she was five months old making her almost a native. She studied opera at the Conservatory of Vienna in Austria, graduated from U.N.M. with a degree in history, and went on to Law School. She practiced for three years, and discovered that while she loved the law she hated lawyers so she began writing.
In 1988 she accepted a job on Star Trek: TNG, and began her Hollywood career. Her novels, The High Ground, In Evil Times and The Hidden World are available from Titan Books. She is the executive producer on the upcoming Wild Cards shows being developed for Hulu. Her passion (aside from writing) is riding her Lusitano stallion Vento da Broga.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 22, 2018
Why aren't more people reading this series? These are pacy, action packed books filled with drama and lots of colourful characters.
Last year I read a short story called The Wayfarer's Advice, included in the anthology Galactic Empires, which was set in the world of The Imperials. Based on that story, I picked up the series from the start. This third book finally converges with the events of The Wayfarer's Advice, but expands it and provides a lot more detail.
The Hidden World picks up 14 years after In Evil Times. Although there is plenty of drama and unhappiness, which seems to be the fate of the main characters, we do get some happy times too. Mercedes seems to finally be growing into herself and becoming a more accessible and likeable character. Tracy remains a favourite for me. So often he is the author of his own suffering, but at the same time, his actions are pretty much understandable. His character has matured nicely, and although he retains his incipient prickliness, he has managed to create for himself a devoted found family, something he desperately needed.
Even though there were some up moments for these two, the end of the book seems to indicate more peril on the horizon with no easy resolution in sight.
Last year I read a short story called The Wayfarer's Advice, included in the anthology Galactic Empires, which was set in the world of The Imperials. Based on that story, I picked up the series from the start. This third book finally converges with the events of The Wayfarer's Advice, but expands it and provides a lot more detail.
The Hidden World picks up 14 years after In Evil Times. Although there is plenty of drama and unhappiness, which seems to be the fate of the main characters, we do get some happy times too. Mercedes seems to finally be growing into herself and becoming a more accessible and likeable character. Tracy remains a favourite for me. So often he is the author of his own suffering, but at the same time, his actions are pretty much understandable. His character has matured nicely, and although he retains his incipient prickliness, he has managed to create for himself a devoted found family, something he desperately needed.
Even though there were some up moments for these two, the end of the book seems to indicate more peril on the horizon with no easy resolution in sight.
December 26, 2018
It's been fourteen years since the events of In Evil Times and at least twenty years since The High Ground.
The Infanta Mercedes is unhappy in her marriage, and now in her 40s, still childless. The lack of an heir and the failing ability of the Emperor is making their enemies bold and the rule of the Arango family precarious. After the events of the second book in this series the Cara'ot have disappeared from human space and sector 470 is still lethally mysterious, and the entire empire is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Meanwhile Tracy is making a living under an assumed name as the captain of a small multi-species freighter dealing with business on the edge of legality. He's still bitter at his treatment by the empire, but still also in love with Mercedes.
This is the novel-length expansion to the previously published short story "The Wayfarer's Advice" and the Hidden World of the title is the one at the center of the action in that story. I think the short story and the choice made by the inhabitants of the Hidden World is a fascinating one, but it's let down by not seeing if the trauma that Mercedes goes through has any lasting impact. In this one element, I don't think this book is a complete success, with too many other events overtaking its significance in Mercedes mind. It will be interesting to see if she goes on to make further lasting changes to the empire because of it.
I liked the character development in this book. Tracy, Mercedes and even Boho are all much more mature, but still with plenty of faults. Boho in particular could easily be seen as a bad guy of sorts, but he's actually a surprisingly well-rounded character, venal and self-interested much of the time, but with regrets around his marriage. Tracy's affection for his alien crew is the end-point of a long journey for him, hopefully not ended by the events at the end of the book.
This certainly sets the stage for an amazing book four. Hopefully the author sticks the landing.
The Infanta Mercedes is unhappy in her marriage, and now in her 40s, still childless. The lack of an heir and the failing ability of the Emperor is making their enemies bold and the rule of the Arango family precarious. After the events of the second book in this series the Cara'ot have disappeared from human space and sector 470 is still lethally mysterious, and the entire empire is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Meanwhile Tracy is making a living under an assumed name as the captain of a small multi-species freighter dealing with business on the edge of legality. He's still bitter at his treatment by the empire, but still also in love with Mercedes.
This is the novel-length expansion to the previously published short story "The Wayfarer's Advice" and the Hidden World of the title is the one at the center of the action in that story. I think the short story and the choice made by the inhabitants of the Hidden World is a fascinating one, but it's let down by not seeing if the trauma that Mercedes goes through has any lasting impact. In this one element, I don't think this book is a complete success, with too many other events overtaking its significance in Mercedes mind. It will be interesting to see if she goes on to make further lasting changes to the empire because of it.
I liked the character development in this book. Tracy, Mercedes and even Boho are all much more mature, but still with plenty of faults. Boho in particular could easily be seen as a bad guy of sorts, but he's actually a surprisingly well-rounded character, venal and self-interested much of the time, but with regrets around his marriage. Tracy's affection for his alien crew is the end-point of a long journey for him, hopefully not ended by the events at the end of the book.
This certainly sets the stage for an amazing book four. Hopefully the author sticks the landing.
July 1, 2019
Once more, I’ve enjoyed being able to examine this society by looking at both the highest level and someone bumping along reasonably near the bottom. The crew often are asked to leave eating places where aliens are not welcome to eat alongside humans.
Mercedes’ life isn’t any easier, despite her more high-end lifestyle. She has problems regarding the succession and her fraying relationship with her husband – so when a commander-in-chief is required for a major military sortie to deal with a major threat to humanity, she is the obvious choice. Indeed, she is delighted to get the chance to go…
Tracy is suitably grumpy and hard-edged, given he is somewhat bitter at the hand Life dealt him, which makes him less likeable than Mercedes. But his courage, ability to act effectively under fire and his own unshakeable moral compass have firmly put me on his side. While I always loved Mercedes and still find her really appealing, so I was sad to see her rather ground down by the passing years and a life that had nibbled away her sense of worth. So it was lovely to see her grow into the person she was always meant to be…
This space opera still has the necessary political plotting, space battles and tension required to tick the genre expectations – with the icing on the cake being the really grown-up characterisation that makes these two protagonists such a delight. However, I firmly recommend that you read this series in order – while you undoubtedly could work out what is going on and treat each one as a standalone, the overarching narrative running across the books is the engine that powers this series. Very highly recommended for space opera fans who enjoy nuanced, well depicted characters.
10/10
Mercedes’ life isn’t any easier, despite her more high-end lifestyle. She has problems regarding the succession and her fraying relationship with her husband – so when a commander-in-chief is required for a major military sortie to deal with a major threat to humanity, she is the obvious choice. Indeed, she is delighted to get the chance to go…
Tracy is suitably grumpy and hard-edged, given he is somewhat bitter at the hand Life dealt him, which makes him less likeable than Mercedes. But his courage, ability to act effectively under fire and his own unshakeable moral compass have firmly put me on his side. While I always loved Mercedes and still find her really appealing, so I was sad to see her rather ground down by the passing years and a life that had nibbled away her sense of worth. So it was lovely to see her grow into the person she was always meant to be…
This space opera still has the necessary political plotting, space battles and tension required to tick the genre expectations – with the icing on the cake being the really grown-up characterisation that makes these two protagonists such a delight. However, I firmly recommend that you read this series in order – while you undoubtedly could work out what is going on and treat each one as a standalone, the overarching narrative running across the books is the engine that powers this series. Very highly recommended for space opera fans who enjoy nuanced, well depicted characters.
10/10
July 30, 2018
The Hidden World: (Imperials #3)
by Melinda Snodgrass
I have been waiting for this installment form the first book. I wanted to see how Mrs Snodgrass shows the continuing relationship between her heroic characters Tracy and Mercedes. The second book showed the destruction of their relationship, so it’s hard as a fan to see how they could possibly recover. What I found in Hidden World, a heart rending story of two lovers who have to learn to live without each other, when their personal connection is everything they need. They spent the last fifteen years surviving. Tracy, running away changing his name and becoming a han solo like trading rebel smuggler with a lot of the ideals of working with various aliens and finding new connections. Mercedes has learned to rule as her father the Emperor diminishes due to age, all the while she is coping with the flanderious relationships of her consort, Bono. It's a political destabilization both politically and socially because she remained barren. With no direct heir, her stance in the succession is on a tipping point. As usual Mrs. Snodgrass, does not leave this only to be a young love story, she brings reality of politics, and society. She questions the status quo of our modern world in her alternate science fiction story. She brings up the idea of classicism, legality, and subjugation of other “races” or aliens. She questions how our prejudices can cause problems as we expand into the universe. She also shows that humanity will not always be the victor, and our own faults will lead to our own down fall. I will be waiting for the fourth installment of this series. Congratulations Mrs Snodgrass, you have created an addictive series, that will continue to draw the readers to the next story.
by Melinda Snodgrass
I have been waiting for this installment form the first book. I wanted to see how Mrs Snodgrass shows the continuing relationship between her heroic characters Tracy and Mercedes. The second book showed the destruction of their relationship, so it’s hard as a fan to see how they could possibly recover. What I found in Hidden World, a heart rending story of two lovers who have to learn to live without each other, when their personal connection is everything they need. They spent the last fifteen years surviving. Tracy, running away changing his name and becoming a han solo like trading rebel smuggler with a lot of the ideals of working with various aliens and finding new connections. Mercedes has learned to rule as her father the Emperor diminishes due to age, all the while she is coping with the flanderious relationships of her consort, Bono. It's a political destabilization both politically and socially because she remained barren. With no direct heir, her stance in the succession is on a tipping point. As usual Mrs. Snodgrass, does not leave this only to be a young love story, she brings reality of politics, and society. She questions the status quo of our modern world in her alternate science fiction story. She brings up the idea of classicism, legality, and subjugation of other “races” or aliens. She questions how our prejudices can cause problems as we expand into the universe. She also shows that humanity will not always be the victor, and our own faults will lead to our own down fall. I will be waiting for the fourth installment of this series. Congratulations Mrs Snodgrass, you have created an addictive series, that will continue to draw the readers to the next story.
October 25, 2018
Tracy is my favourite character in books atm. He is flawed, but he is learning. He does the right thing, or at least the thing you want him to do most of the time. Sometimes he doesn't realise how good he has it. Sometimes he is unnecessarily screwed over. At all times I felt sympathetic.
The other main character, Mercedes, isn't far behind. Perhaps she loses a little bit of points from me because she has more control over her destiny.
This book, particularly the second half, is more a Mercedes book but that is ok as the story ends on a believable and hopeful twist that should see Tracy more in action for the next book. Jahan is also a great addition of a character.
This is another terrific edition of this series. Can't wait for book 4!
The other main character, Mercedes, isn't far behind. Perhaps she loses a little bit of points from me because she has more control over her destiny.
This book, particularly the second half, is more a Mercedes book but that is ok as the story ends on a believable and hopeful twist that should see Tracy more in action for the next book. Jahan is also a great addition of a character.
This is another terrific edition of this series. Can't wait for book 4!
July 26, 2019
Be warned this is not a trilogy, yes my book research was very lax;) I actually like this one the best out of all the books so far. There is some cases of questionable morals but yet a kind of understanding during those parts. This book also has a major set up for the following books. Both main characters are older and a bit more mature. It gives a greater depth to what they do and how they act.
One explicit scene.
One explicit scene.
December 9, 2023
This was a solid space-opera adventure-romance, third in the Imperials series. I read the first one years ago and wasn't too impressed. This one is a significant step up. I enjoyed it. Snodgrass's writing is better here. It's basically a simple story, but well-developed and fun. Boho, Mercedes's philandering husband, turns out to be, if not exactly a good guy, at least an interesting one. Mercedes, the Empress-to-be, also has unexpected depths, and is a hard worker. Tracy, her rejected lover from Imperials #1, is back as Captain of a small-time trading ship, with a largely-alien crew who become something of a found family. Tracy and Mercedes revive the romance, which gets a little hot and heavy. OK, explicitly hot and heavy, and the author reports she was blushing while writing that stuff. It does get to be a bit much, and the couple both know it can't last . . .
Anyway, it's a light-hearted book, colorful, well-crafted and occasionally over-the-top with the Spanish-flavored aristo stuff. I had a good time, and might consider coming back to reread this in a few years. There are two self-published sequels with very sparse reviews, so I could go on to the next? Maybe?
Regardless, this one worked for me. Not quite a full 4-stars, but close enough to round up. I found an inexpensive used copy at Thriftbooks. You could, too.
Anyway, it's a light-hearted book, colorful, well-crafted and occasionally over-the-top with the Spanish-flavored aristo stuff. I had a good time, and might consider coming back to reread this in a few years. There are two self-published sequels with very sparse reviews, so I could go on to the next? Maybe?
Regardless, this one worked for me. Not quite a full 4-stars, but close enough to round up. I found an inexpensive used copy at Thriftbooks. You could, too.
January 30, 2019
When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.
Years ago, Tracy Belmanor had been drummed out of the Imperial space force through no fault of his own. So he changed his name, found a ship, crewed it with aliens (except none of his crew is actually a servant, even if all aliens are treated as the servant class in this society), and set off as a small trading ship taking orders and delivering goods where needed.
Even to forbidden Hidden Worlds.
Imperial Policy is that "Humanity must be united", no matter that certain planets would rather be left in peace to order their own affairs. If said planets can stay under the Imperial radar, they can indeed escape forced assimilation.
Infanta Mercedes (that is, the Crown Princess) hasn't had such a good life either. She married a man she didn't love (for reasons of state) and had to betray the man she did love [Tracy, of course]) (also for reasons of state). In order to succeed her father, she had to go to the space force military academy, find a suitable consort, graduate, spend five years on active duty, and bear a child. She is still one requirement short, after twenty-five years of loveless marriage. No baby.
Tracy had gone to the space force military academy on full scholarship, because his dad was a tailor. (Almost everyone else there were children of the aristocracy.)
What I like best about this space opera series is the thwarted romance between Tracy and Mercedes.
Each is painfully aware that they can never be together. Nonetheless in each of the three books in the series, they have a chance to be together, even if they both know it cannot last. Even so, those times when their paths cross continue to be the best parts of the series, in my opinion.
This could have been a trilogy, but I was thrilled to find out that book four is due this summer, July 2019.
Highly recommended and I can't wait until I can get my hands on the next book in this series!
Years ago, Tracy Belmanor had been drummed out of the Imperial space force through no fault of his own. So he changed his name, found a ship, crewed it with aliens (except none of his crew is actually a servant, even if all aliens are treated as the servant class in this society), and set off as a small trading ship taking orders and delivering goods where needed.
Even to forbidden Hidden Worlds.
Imperial Policy is that "Humanity must be united", no matter that certain planets would rather be left in peace to order their own affairs. If said planets can stay under the Imperial radar, they can indeed escape forced assimilation.
Infanta Mercedes (that is, the Crown Princess) hasn't had such a good life either. She married a man she didn't love (for reasons of state) and had to betray the man she did love [Tracy, of course]) (also for reasons of state). In order to succeed her father, she had to go to the space force military academy, find a suitable consort, graduate, spend five years on active duty, and bear a child. She is still one requirement short, after twenty-five years of loveless marriage. No baby.
Tracy had gone to the space force military academy on full scholarship, because his dad was a tailor. (Almost everyone else there were children of the aristocracy.)
What I like best about this space opera series is the thwarted romance between Tracy and Mercedes.
Each is painfully aware that they can never be together. Nonetheless in each of the three books in the series, they have a chance to be together, even if they both know it cannot last. Even so, those times when their paths cross continue to be the best parts of the series, in my opinion.
This could have been a trilogy, but I was thrilled to find out that book four is due this summer, July 2019.
Highly recommended and I can't wait until I can get my hands on the next book in this series!
April 13, 2019
It seems like every thing I didn't like in the previous two books came out in full force. A romance plot that should have been the payoff of three books felt more like a subplot with low stakes, overabundant commentary on current issues continually crushing any sense of suspended disbelief that I could muster, and a plot in which seemingly nothing happens ... I made it about 90% of the way through, realized I just didn't care, so abandoned the book there. .
March 19, 2019
Really liked this one, great story development!
April 29, 2021
Contains spoiler for prior books in the series.
In the previous novel in the series, In Evil Times, Tracy, the young commoner who was one of the very few to become an officer in the Imperial navy was forced out of the fleet because of his unwillingness to cover up a crime that involved the masacre of alien children. In the latest book, he is now living under a false name, captaining a ship with a mixed crew of humans and aliens. The ship, the Selkie, specializes in trading with Hidden Worlds -- that is Worlds the Solar League doesn't know exist (and would force to become part of the League if they did).
Meanwhile, Mercedes, the Infanta, heir to the Imperial throne, is under pressure as she's not had a child. Her husband, the consort, Boho, has affairs and talks with those who might commit treason (though he isn't sure of his own feelings on this subject).
Things come to a head when Mercedes leads a fleet to find a hidden world, only to be ambushed. Most of the fleet is wiped out; only Mercedes survives, in a life pod, where she's rescued by the Selkie who had been traveling to that world and picked up the distress signal. (A bit of a coincidence, but I'm fine with one per book. Charles Dickens always had at least that many in most of his novels.)
This is another fine entry in the series. I appreciate how the author continues to go in ways I did not expect, to not resolve things in the stereotypical way that at times it feels to be heading toward. I also appreciate that the characters are nuanced. Boho, for example, is a snob, a cad, and can be very self centered. But he also cares for Mercedes and is willing to step up for her when needed. And Mercedes herself, trapped between what at times seems right and her duty, is also a great character. She is forced to make painful decisions, and these impact her.
I plan to pick up the fourth book in the series soon.
In the previous novel in the series, In Evil Times, Tracy, the young commoner who was one of the very few to become an officer in the Imperial navy was forced out of the fleet because of his unwillingness to cover up a crime that involved the masacre of alien children. In the latest book, he is now living under a false name, captaining a ship with a mixed crew of humans and aliens. The ship, the Selkie, specializes in trading with Hidden Worlds -- that is Worlds the Solar League doesn't know exist (and would force to become part of the League if they did).
Meanwhile, Mercedes, the Infanta, heir to the Imperial throne, is under pressure as she's not had a child. Her husband, the consort, Boho, has affairs and talks with those who might commit treason (though he isn't sure of his own feelings on this subject).
Things come to a head when Mercedes leads a fleet to find a hidden world, only to be ambushed. Most of the fleet is wiped out; only Mercedes survives, in a life pod, where she's rescued by the Selkie who had been traveling to that world and picked up the distress signal. (A bit of a coincidence, but I'm fine with one per book. Charles Dickens always had at least that many in most of his novels.)
This is another fine entry in the series. I appreciate how the author continues to go in ways I did not expect, to not resolve things in the stereotypical way that at times it feels to be heading toward. I also appreciate that the characters are nuanced. Boho, for example, is a snob, a cad, and can be very self centered. But he also cares for Mercedes and is willing to step up for her when needed. And Mercedes herself, trapped between what at times seems right and her duty, is also a great character. She is forced to make painful decisions, and these impact her.
I plan to pick up the fourth book in the series soon.
January 19, 2019
Whilst the first two Imperials books used the lives of the characters to illustrate facts of life under their empire this entry changes the playbook somewhat and focuses very heavily on character development and interactions.
This is probably a plus for the series because after two books our main characters did need to move beyond being defined by a character trait or two each, however this unfortunately leads to a second half of the book that feels like it is dragging its feet until the plot explodes back into action in the last 10% or so of the text.
Despite trying to avoid spoilers I've put the tag on because holy shit the reveal at the very end of the book is just masterful, that alone took me from thinking of it as 3* book (after the decline in the second half of the book) to wondering if 4 isn't too harsh for a book I ultimately enjoyed a lot.
This is probably a plus for the series because after two books our main characters did need to move beyond being defined by a character trait or two each, however this unfortunately leads to a second half of the book that feels like it is dragging its feet until the plot explodes back into action in the last 10% or so of the text.
Despite trying to avoid spoilers I've put the tag on because holy shit the reveal at the very end of the book is just masterful, that alone took me from thinking of it as 3* book (after the decline in the second half of the book) to wondering if 4 isn't too harsh for a book I ultimately enjoyed a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
This book in the Imperials Saga has former military officer and nobleman Tracy rescuing Princess Mercedes who’s led a fleet into disaster. All her ships have been destroyed, and she’s the sole survivor. Tracy, who hauls a freighter and visits Hidden Worlds in disguise as Captain Oliver Randall, receives the distress signal and retrieves her escape pod. He’d been the love of her life years ago until he’d refused an inhumane order and was court-martialed. She married someone else who is now her consort. Their love blooms once they’re together, but she must return to the center of government to thwart a coup. Meanwhile, a greater threat from an unknown species lurks in the deep dark of space. Court intrigue, forbidden love, and mixed loyalties sprinkle this story that takes place among the stars.
November 27, 2025
The first half of the Hoopla edition of this book, which has a slightly different title (Hidden Worlds), suffered from the same terrible proofreading and abysmal Spanish as the first volume. As the story continued, though, the quality improved.
It is a well plotted space opera, albeit with strange and insufficiently labeled time jumps. I lament some of the characters lost in this one, but appreciate the unpredictability of some characters; Boho is not cardboard, however much I may dislike him.
It is a well plotted space opera, albeit with strange and insufficiently labeled time jumps. I lament some of the characters lost in this one, but appreciate the unpredictability of some characters; Boho is not cardboard, however much I may dislike him.
October 11, 2018
Recent Reads: The Hidden World. Melinda Snodgrass' Imperials Saga continues. More than a decade after the previous book, Tracy is now a tramp ship captain, and Mercedes close to the throne. A pirate raid leads to a meeting of hearts. But duty must fight rebellion. More to come.
February 21, 2023
Finally some romance and action in the story, but whole story flow still feels so unnatural. Thankfully we get to know more about alien races and also author spills some background info (too little too late).
March 19, 2019
Will review at www.fantasyliterature.com.
June 30, 2019
Excellent space-opera, each book is better than the last. #4 soon, please!
October 11, 2019
I really love this series and hope there are more books. There is something refreshing about the characters and plot compared to run of the mill scifi these days.
January 9, 2020
Snodgrass never disappoints!
Excellent first read of the year!
Really looking forward to the next in the series... Hades looking forward to ANY of her books!
Excellent first read of the year!
Really looking forward to the next in the series... Hades looking forward to ANY of her books!
March 29, 2020
Liked it, some of the plots were obvious but it was interesting enough that I can't wait to read the next book.
August 6, 2021
A worthy sequel. I like Tracy and his companions more, as his character develops. I look forward to picking up book four of The Imperials, "The Currency of War".
September 1, 2018
Can't believe I have to wait another year for the next part! Loving this space opera!
December 8, 2020
The Hidden World: (Imperials #3)
by Melinda Snodgrass
I have been waiting for this installment form the first book. I wanted to see how Mrs Snodgrass shows the continuing relationship between her heroic characters Tracy and Mercedes. The second book showed the destruction of their relationship, so it’s hard as a fan to see how they could possibly recover. What I found in Hidden World, a heart rending story of two lovers who have to learn to live without each other, when their personal connection is everything they need. They spent the last fifteen years surviving. Tracy, running away changing his name and becoming a han solo like trading rebel smuggler with a lot of the ideals of working with various aliens and finding new connections. Mercedes has learned to rule as her father the Emperor diminishes due to age, all the while she is coping with the flanderious relationships of her consort, Bono. It's a political destabilization both politically and socially because she remained barren. With no direct heir, her stance in the succession is on a tipping point. As usual Mrs. Snodgrass, does not leave this only to be a young love story, she brings reality of politics, and society. She questions the status quo of our modern world in her alternate science fiction story. She brings up the idea of classicism, legality, and subjugation of other “races” or aliens. She questions how our prejudices can cause problems as we expand into the universe. She also shows that humanity will not always be the victor, and our own faults will lead to our own down fall. I will be waiting for the fourth installment of this series. Congratulations Mrs Snodgrass, you have created an addictive series, that will continue to draw the readers to the next story.
by Melinda Snodgrass
I have been waiting for this installment form the first book. I wanted to see how Mrs Snodgrass shows the continuing relationship between her heroic characters Tracy and Mercedes. The second book showed the destruction of their relationship, so it’s hard as a fan to see how they could possibly recover. What I found in Hidden World, a heart rending story of two lovers who have to learn to live without each other, when their personal connection is everything they need. They spent the last fifteen years surviving. Tracy, running away changing his name and becoming a han solo like trading rebel smuggler with a lot of the ideals of working with various aliens and finding new connections. Mercedes has learned to rule as her father the Emperor diminishes due to age, all the while she is coping with the flanderious relationships of her consort, Bono. It's a political destabilization both politically and socially because she remained barren. With no direct heir, her stance in the succession is on a tipping point. As usual Mrs. Snodgrass, does not leave this only to be a young love story, she brings reality of politics, and society. She questions the status quo of our modern world in her alternate science fiction story. She brings up the idea of classicism, legality, and subjugation of other “races” or aliens. She questions how our prejudices can cause problems as we expand into the universe. She also shows that humanity will not always be the victor, and our own faults will lead to our own down fall. I will be waiting for the fourth installment of this series. Congratulations Mrs Snodgrass, you have created an addictive series, that will continue to draw the readers to the next story.
October 22, 2018
How do you separate your duty from your wants? It's been at the core of each volume of Imperials books. Mercedes and Thracius being the examples. Both their hearts, still unable to understand the perceived bad faith by the other.
Whether in love, politicking or war, Mercedes and The Infanta are almost always at odds. This makes things onerous, since they are the same person. Its been a core flaw and arguably the best aspect of the their character but almost always, the crown has had its way. The most devastating of which is the order to arrest Thracius.
On the other end, there is Thracius, now a captain in his own right and yet still unable to reconcile the politics before, then the betrayal, after rejecting The Infanta's offer. Branded a traitor and on the run, life has moved on, for him and Mercedes. He has accumulated a diverse crew of non-humans, something so against his High Ground training and undoubtedly an easier way to avoid recognition, I think.
The Imperial Consort Boho is off doing what he has since the beginning, being a little snit. More practically, fucking his way through paramour after paramour, leaving scandal and corruption in his wake and all around being pissed off that his wife has the real power in the marriage and apparently, a barren womb. It's quite the incentive for him to start looking for ways to get his where he can and possibly have it all.
As tends to happen when things aren't in sync, usurpers start coming out of the woodwork and plots begin to unfold. It's a surprise to no one that Boho is drafted by those looking to take the throne. With his ego he thinks he deserves the crown.
It's arguably the best book in the series, a few plot points that have been lingering get addressed and the ongoing story-line gets a refresh. I always look forward to this series and now is not different.
Rated (4 Stars).
Whether in love, politicking or war, Mercedes and The Infanta are almost always at odds. This makes things onerous, since they are the same person. Its been a core flaw and arguably the best aspect of the their character but almost always, the crown has had its way. The most devastating of which is the order to arrest Thracius.
On the other end, there is Thracius, now a captain in his own right and yet still unable to reconcile the politics before, then the betrayal, after rejecting The Infanta's offer. Branded a traitor and on the run, life has moved on, for him and Mercedes. He has accumulated a diverse crew of non-humans, something so against his High Ground training and undoubtedly an easier way to avoid recognition, I think.
The Imperial Consort Boho is off doing what he has since the beginning, being a little snit. More practically, fucking his way through paramour after paramour, leaving scandal and corruption in his wake and all around being pissed off that his wife has the real power in the marriage and apparently, a barren womb. It's quite the incentive for him to start looking for ways to get his where he can and possibly have it all.
As tends to happen when things aren't in sync, usurpers start coming out of the woodwork and plots begin to unfold. It's a surprise to no one that Boho is drafted by those looking to take the throne. With his ego he thinks he deserves the crown.
It's arguably the best book in the series, a few plot points that have been lingering get addressed and the ongoing story-line gets a refresh. I always look forward to this series and now is not different.
Rated (4 Stars).
August 2, 2023
The Hidden Worlds is a great additon to the Imperials Saga. Finally and Mercedes and Tracey get some togetherness bliss! I loved how Captain Oliver's crew had representatives of almost all the races and they lived together in a democracy! The plot against the Infanta by the del Campos was epic and a well deserved conclusion to their lives. The last chapter had me oohing and aahing over what the next book will bring! It's going to be so painful waiting for a year!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 17, 2018I love this series and the characters, although the world-building can reveal some predispositions. Some things, such as Catholicism, have not changed in this future world and your head wonders why. But when things such as the lust for power and xenophobia haven't changed, your head quickly accepts that. Hmm.
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