Emperor in Exile

Centrální impérium #2

by Jan Kotouč, Isabel Stainsby (Translator)

Daniel Hankerson never wanted to be the Emperor. He was perfectly happy as a normal intelligence officer, analyst and a poker player. But fate never asks what you want.Now, after the biggest defeat in the history of the Central Imperium, Daniel is isolated aboard the communications ship, and for months he can only speak to his Imperium and listen to the news of mounting losses.His enemies continue to chase him and they have their own plans for controlling the Imperium. And for them to do that, Daniel Hankerson must die.

Genres: Science Fiction

556 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2019

About the author

Jan Kotouč is a Czech author of space operas, military SF and alternative history. His first novel was published in 2009 and since then he has written a number of novels in Czech. Frontiers of the Imperium is the first book in his latest series, the Central Imperium. He is one of the handful Czech writers who has found success on the English-speaking market. Apart from writing, he teaches at a university and is a popular speaker at a number of conventions.

He lives in Prague with his wife and two bunnies.

Reviews

[Liviu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another top-notch entry into the series with action following closely after Frontiers of the Imperium; now Emperor and recognized as such by the computers that govern some of the Imperiums' infrastructure and by his close followers on Hermes and its companion ships, Daniel has many problems, including lack of money, being far from the action and having to deal with a far-flung conspiracy which is speared by the new protectors and their chosen, but has deep roots in the imperium and its adjacent races too; however, he also gets some unexpected advantages when a major conspirator rethinks his involvement and decides that allying himself with Daniel may be his best bet and since Daniel is an accomplished poker player, his casinos may offer the Emperor the best chance at temporary funding as after all the arrogant enhanced nobility that wants to go back to their ancient prerogatives cannot resist trying to humiliate the down on his luck Emperor at the poker table, the Chosen are in their own sort of dissaray as their unexpected hit on the Imperium didn't fully succeed and now have to contend with the multiple factions involved that want their payoffs, the imperial fleet is still more powerful than anything out there so if somehow Daniel can reach it the odds change, while various people start realizing that while the Central Imperium had many problems and flaws, the alternatives would be far worse, so they are ready to offer allegiance to Daniel if he can keep staying alive and ahead of his many enemies...

And so it goes with the balance of forces slowly getting restored, though of course, it is still a long way to victory

New and old friends, new and old enemies, battles, fights, treachery, heroism, and overall a page-turner that one cannot put down until another good tbc stopping point

Highly recommended

[Slezadav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hodně dobré, ještě o kousek lepší, než první díl. Mám moc rád, když má pro mne série vzestupnou tendenci.
Naprosto top jsou tady všechny zvraty, vztahy mezi postavami. Hlavně boží je ale dynamika příběhu. Pořád se něco děje a není jednoduché knihu odložit. Co se týče tempa, tak jsem už hodně dlouho nečetl lepší knihu.
Záporem je jednoznačně způsob, jakým se čtenář dozvídá o světě. Většinou tak, že se spolu baví dva důstojníci, ale obsahově to vypadá, jakoby to pro postavy muselo být na úrovni základní školy. Bohužel to působilo velmi nerealisticky a hloupě. A stejně jako v prvním díle přetrvává pocit, že zaporáci by mohli být lepší.
Buď jak buď tohle je velmi dobrá space opera a nechybí úplně mnoho, abych dal nejvyšší hodnocení. Zatím stále za 4*, ale četlo se to opravdu parádně.

[Frank Bertino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kill The Emperor!

Emperor Daniel I is hard to kill. As a matter of fact, he tends to kill and thwart his enemies. Will the remnants of the Central Imperium rally behind a young inexperienced Emperor? I like feeling that I'm in the room with the characters as they plot strategy or fight battles. I like the action, humor, and romance. I look forward to the next book.

[Lelia Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

You have written another good book. I cannot wait for the next one to come out. What happen next is what I am looking fire too.

[Jennifer Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book!

If you like good space opras, this book is for you!! Outstanding in every way. We'll written with a great plot!!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je to pre mna asi prekvapenim roku, ale fakt sa to dobre cita

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Druhý díl pěkně šlape. Vypadá to na výborně rozjetou space operu.

[Zany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Druhý díl celkem slušně drží laťku nasazenou prvním dílem. Potěšily opět oblíbené postavy Daniela a jeho nejbližších divocí Ralgaři i překvapivá (ale poměrně věrohodná) řešení dějových zvratů. První dva díly jsem zhltnul hned po sobě, na další díly si budu počkat, celkem jsem zvědavý, na kolik dílů se autor v Centrálním impériu rozepíše.

[Jaroslav Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Navzdory všemu, novopečený císař stále žije a je stále větší osinou v zadku pro Nové imperium a stále větší vůdce pro svůj lid.
Jeden zvrat jsem teda nečekal, ale jinak space opera jak má být. :-)