What do you think?
Rate this book
Empire Rising #8
Empire's Doom
The War of Doom has begun. The Karacknid Empire has conquered the Mindus civilization and forced the Varanni Alliance and Human fleets to retreat. Those who have fought the Karacknids face to face now know what the future holds. With time running out, the free peoples in the Karacknids’ line of sight must prepare for the coming invasion.
Returning to Human space, James brings word of the looming Karacknid threat. Met with suspicion and distrust, he is compelled to do everything he can to force the UN to take the Karacknids seriously. The cost of his actions on his career, family and future will be immense.
Even then, the Karacknids will not allow themselves to be turned away. At the Battle of Jaranna the Humans proved themselves to be a thorn in the side of the Karacknid fleet. A thorn they intend to pull out and burn up in the fires of their war machine.
Empire’s Doom is the eighth book in the Empire Rising series and opens up the War of Doom story arc that will see James, Suzanna, Gupta and the others thrust into the greatest war for survival humanity has ever faced.
Returning to Human space, James brings word of the looming Karacknid threat. Met with suspicion and distrust, he is compelled to do everything he can to force the UN to take the Karacknids seriously. The cost of his actions on his career, family and future will be immense.
Even then, the Karacknids will not allow themselves to be turned away. At the Battle of Jaranna the Humans proved themselves to be a thorn in the side of the Karacknid fleet. A thorn they intend to pull out and burn up in the fires of their war machine.
Empire’s Doom is the eighth book in the Empire Rising series and opens up the War of Doom story arc that will see James, Suzanna, Gupta and the others thrust into the greatest war for survival humanity has ever faced.
544 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2020
297 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 12, 2020
WOW! What a roller-coaster of an emotional ride. I don't want to say to much more because it would spoil the fun. I'll just submit that by the eight book most authors are winding down, Holmes took this opportunity to 'step on the gas'. My favorite parts are still the foreshadowing quotes from 'history' at the star of each chapter. I would often take a moment after reading each one and try to guess where the story was going next. This has gone from a good to a great series in the past couple books. I can't wait for more.
October 17, 2020
In the previous book (“Mutineer”), we started getting into some of the idiotic political games being played on Earth. While Vice Admiral James Somerville and his Outer Defense Fleet had taken off to meet with the Varanni and find out about their Trade Alliance with twelve other civilizations, the UN Interplanetary Committee was meeting to declare James and his cohorts mutineers and traitors to the cause! This was pure politics. The current most aggressive UN representative on the Interplanetary Committee was Representative Jalesh Kapoor from India. She obviously had a grudge against James and was pushing an agenda to get him discredited for everything he has done so far. The fact that he is the greatest Naval Admiral Earth has in this modern era doesn’t phase her; she wants to tear him down for her own personal reasons.
James Somerville has heard he was branded before he even left Earth. Now on his way back to human territory, he was determined to go to Earth and get this matter settled. Meanwhile, his wife, Suzanna had manage to get a letter to James telling him that he couldn’t go to Earth because he would be immediately arrested and imprisoned without trial if the UN Interplanetary Committee got their way. James finally comes to realize that his wife is right, he needs to stay away from Earth, but still get his information disseminated as widely as possible. With Suzanna’s help, he begins to form a team of Earth dignitaries who are powerful in their own right, but not as powerful as the Interplanetary Committee. They have pledged to get James’ information out to the public so they can be aware of the coming danger that the Karacknids represent.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Somerville takes the Outer Defense Force to a hidden military shipyard that once was own and operated in secret by the Havenites. It’s a perfect location for him to build and enhance the few ships he has with Varanni and other technology he obtain while visiting and fighting along side those civilizations. Given enough time, James feels that he could put together a decent fighting force, but unless Earth and the UN start building more ships and using the tech info his has given them, the Earth is doomed. Some day soon, the Karacknids will either defeat the Varanni and come for Earth or they will come straight to Earth and wipe his civilization out of existence. As it stands now, the humans don’t stand a chance.
Wading through the first part of this book is pretty tiresome. There’s a lot of political ramblings going on. The UN Interplanetary Committee is way to powerful and even the Admirals that sit on this committee and the Military Tribunal have no backbone whatsoever! They bow to the dictates of Representative Kapoor as if she were the Queen of Earth! That was pretty much the first half of this book.
Finally towards about the mid-point something happens that is really unexpected. A major character in this book is killed off! I wasn’t expecting this to happen, but it did and now everyone has to carry on. Vice Admiral James Somerville doesn’t let the death of this character kill off his spirit after he gets a very straight and truthful taking to by his second in command, Rear Admiral Gupta. Then the exciting part of the book happens. We’re carried all the way to the point where the Karacknid fleet has actually entered the Solar System. With every ship the Earth has gathered together, they still won’t have enough to defeat this new enemy. Even if Vice Admiral Somerville and his enhanced ships get to Earth in time, it still might not be enough.
If Earth survives, something has to be done to get Earth organized for a much greater battle later on. The UN politics have to stop and some new organization has to be put in place. I wonder what it will look like? Former Prime Minister Fairfax of the British Star Kingdom has an idea of what this new system should look like, but he’ll have to survive this coming battle with the Karacknids for his idea to even get a chance.
Great book if you don’t mind slogging through the first half which is pretty dull and boring compared to the rest of the book. I’m definitely looking forward to book 9, “Empire’s Birth”.
James Somerville has heard he was branded before he even left Earth. Now on his way back to human territory, he was determined to go to Earth and get this matter settled. Meanwhile, his wife, Suzanna had manage to get a letter to James telling him that he couldn’t go to Earth because he would be immediately arrested and imprisoned without trial if the UN Interplanetary Committee got their way. James finally comes to realize that his wife is right, he needs to stay away from Earth, but still get his information disseminated as widely as possible. With Suzanna’s help, he begins to form a team of Earth dignitaries who are powerful in their own right, but not as powerful as the Interplanetary Committee. They have pledged to get James’ information out to the public so they can be aware of the coming danger that the Karacknids represent.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Somerville takes the Outer Defense Force to a hidden military shipyard that once was own and operated in secret by the Havenites. It’s a perfect location for him to build and enhance the few ships he has with Varanni and other technology he obtain while visiting and fighting along side those civilizations. Given enough time, James feels that he could put together a decent fighting force, but unless Earth and the UN start building more ships and using the tech info his has given them, the Earth is doomed. Some day soon, the Karacknids will either defeat the Varanni and come for Earth or they will come straight to Earth and wipe his civilization out of existence. As it stands now, the humans don’t stand a chance.
Wading through the first part of this book is pretty tiresome. There’s a lot of political ramblings going on. The UN Interplanetary Committee is way to powerful and even the Admirals that sit on this committee and the Military Tribunal have no backbone whatsoever! They bow to the dictates of Representative Kapoor as if she were the Queen of Earth! That was pretty much the first half of this book.
Finally towards about the mid-point something happens that is really unexpected. A major character in this book is killed off! I wasn’t expecting this to happen, but it did and now everyone has to carry on. Vice Admiral James Somerville doesn’t let the death of this character kill off his spirit after he gets a very straight and truthful taking to by his second in command, Rear Admiral Gupta. Then the exciting part of the book happens. We’re carried all the way to the point where the Karacknid fleet has actually entered the Solar System. With every ship the Earth has gathered together, they still won’t have enough to defeat this new enemy. Even if Vice Admiral Somerville and his enhanced ships get to Earth in time, it still might not be enough.
If Earth survives, something has to be done to get Earth organized for a much greater battle later on. The UN politics have to stop and some new organization has to be put in place. I wonder what it will look like? Former Prime Minister Fairfax of the British Star Kingdom has an idea of what this new system should look like, but he’ll have to survive this coming battle with the Karacknids for his idea to even get a chance.
Great book if you don’t mind slogging through the first half which is pretty dull and boring compared to the rest of the book. I’m definitely looking forward to book 9, “Empire’s Birth”.
August 11, 2020
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, READ THIS BOOK
WOW....just WOW. Empire Rising has been in my top 5 favorite book series, and each book has gotten better and better. But Book 8 Empire's Doom truly outdid itself, and put the series in my top 3 along with classics like Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Series (see The Final Empire) and Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet Series (see Dauntless). I wish there was a rating system beyond 5 starts so I could flag this book beyond the extraordinary criteria I use for 5 star books. It is in the top 5 books (not just series) I have read in my entire life. The book is around 540 pages and each one forces you to move onto the next. I picked up the book at 11 pm one night, read until 6 am (yes you read that right), napped for 5 hours, and then read from 11 am-3pm That is how riveting and awesome this book is.
I commented on this in my review of Siege of Earth, but there is an amazing depth and intricate attention to detail across the entire series. Especially with the intro's to each chapter through the lense of historians in the "Empire Rising" textbook. Overall, they give a feel of intimacy and import that I have never ever seen in another book.
From start to finish it is a roller coaster of emotions, suspense, excitement, hype, foreshadowing/predictions, and simply a masterpiece. It successfully weaves together dozens of plot lines, and character arcs. Moreover, individuals, nations, civilizations, and species all have massive and satisfying development and depth which outshine the high bar set by previous books in the series.
Moreover, I have a memory for books such that even years later I remember their every detail. The result is that I hate rereading books, there's no point because I have many of the passages memorized after just one read. For the first time in my life, Empire Rising changed that. Despite knowing everything that was going to happen, I reread the entire series in anticipation of this book. In any other case, I would regret it halfway through the first book and just have skipped to book 8. However, in a testament to the series and the author, I was so enthralled with the books that I was able to stick with it the rereading for the first time in my life. Every book made me more and more hype for Book 8 (this one)...suffice to say I was not disappointed by Book 8.
If you see this review its a sign.... give the series a chance. The first book, The Void War, is still one of my favorite books in the series and is the perfect segue into the awesomeness that is this series. Give it a chance because you will not live to regret it.
WOW....just WOW. Empire Rising has been in my top 5 favorite book series, and each book has gotten better and better. But Book 8 Empire's Doom truly outdid itself, and put the series in my top 3 along with classics like Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Series (see The Final Empire) and Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet Series (see Dauntless). I wish there was a rating system beyond 5 starts so I could flag this book beyond the extraordinary criteria I use for 5 star books. It is in the top 5 books (not just series) I have read in my entire life. The book is around 540 pages and each one forces you to move onto the next. I picked up the book at 11 pm one night, read until 6 am (yes you read that right), napped for 5 hours, and then read from 11 am-3pm That is how riveting and awesome this book is.
I commented on this in my review of Siege of Earth, but there is an amazing depth and intricate attention to detail across the entire series. Especially with the intro's to each chapter through the lense of historians in the "Empire Rising" textbook. Overall, they give a feel of intimacy and import that I have never ever seen in another book.
From start to finish it is a roller coaster of emotions, suspense, excitement, hype, foreshadowing/predictions, and simply a masterpiece. It successfully weaves together dozens of plot lines, and character arcs. Moreover, individuals, nations, civilizations, and species all have massive and satisfying development and depth which outshine the high bar set by previous books in the series.
Moreover, I have a memory for books such that even years later I remember their every detail. The result is that I hate rereading books, there's no point because I have many of the passages memorized after just one read. For the first time in my life, Empire Rising changed that. Despite knowing everything that was going to happen, I reread the entire series in anticipation of this book. In any other case, I would regret it halfway through the first book and just have skipped to book 8. However, in a testament to the series and the author, I was so enthralled with the books that I was able to stick with it the rereading for the first time in my life. Every book made me more and more hype for Book 8 (this one)...suffice to say I was not disappointed by Book 8.
If you see this review its a sign.... give the series a chance. The first book, The Void War, is still one of my favorite books in the series and is the perfect segue into the awesomeness that is this series. Give it a chance because you will not live to regret it.
April 15, 2024
Another interesting space opera, but not without its faults. The main one is the has author has fallen into the trap of having to make every new book have bigger and more cataclysmic battles.
A less important problem, but actually more irritating for me, was;
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
A less important problem, but actually more irritating for me, was;
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
March 23, 2022
(90%)A+ | Outstanding
This book is simply amazing. I'm not going to lie the first handful of chapters were a little shakey due to a large time skip that at the time of reading I thought was skipping a large amount of story. But while this is the case, in the grand scheme of things, what was skipped dosent matter and I believe it wouldn't have added more to the series anyway.
So much happened in this book. It was an insane roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Aside from that I like the excerpts at the beginning of almost every chapter. While they have been present since the first book, it has taken me this long to understand that they are present to almost present the entire story in almost a documentary light. I think this is a very interesting choice and I enjoy it alot.
*Edit* apparently I skipped book 7 and didn't even notice 🙃 no wonder the first few chapters didn't make sense*
This book is simply amazing. I'm not going to lie the first handful of chapters were a little shakey due to a large time skip that at the time of reading I thought was skipping a large amount of story. But while this is the case, in the grand scheme of things, what was skipped dosent matter and I believe it wouldn't have added more to the series anyway.
So much happened in this book. It was an insane roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Aside from that I like the excerpts at the beginning of almost every chapter. While they have been present since the first book, it has taken me this long to understand that they are present to almost present the entire story in almost a documentary light. I think this is a very interesting choice and I enjoy it alot.
*Edit* apparently I skipped book 7 and didn't even notice 🙃 no wonder the first few chapters didn't make sense*
December 7, 2020
Spoilt by errors
Like the previous in the series, this is a fairly gripping space navy story, with political intrigue and good characterisation.
However, like the author's other books it is spoiled by multiple mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; besides errors in using ranks, titles, and modes of address of English nobility. (Yes, I know these might change over time, this being set in the future, but if one is going to use something to set a scene, it were best to get the tone right. Ten minutes or less on-line would provide the correct information)
Still, despite the constant niggling annoyance of the repeated mistakes, a fairly good read.
Like the previous in the series, this is a fairly gripping space navy story, with political intrigue and good characterisation.
However, like the author's other books it is spoiled by multiple mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; besides errors in using ranks, titles, and modes of address of English nobility. (Yes, I know these might change over time, this being set in the future, but if one is going to use something to set a scene, it were best to get the tone right. Ten minutes or less on-line would provide the correct information)
Still, despite the constant niggling annoyance of the repeated mistakes, a fairly good read.
February 18, 2022
finally getting to the meat of the storyline, excellent.
Aliens, space battles, ground battles, a good eclectic cast as well as intrigue in fighting and backstabbing what more could you wish for in a space opera. Not everybody lives, some people die, you just don’t know home. This book is finally getting to the meet of the series. Very enjoyable. Finally getting to the heart of the series, plenty of action.
Aliens, space battles, ground battles, a good eclectic cast as well as intrigue in fighting and backstabbing what more could you wish for in a space opera. Not everybody lives, some people die, you just don’t know home. This book is finally getting to the meet of the series. Very enjoyable. Finally getting to the heart of the series, plenty of action.
May 20, 2020
Bigger battles and heaps of destruction
Loved this new book and I can't wait for the next one.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure. Galactic spanning empires at war and destruction everywhere.
Loved this new book and I can't wait for the next one.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure. Galactic spanning empires at war and destruction everywhere.
June 13, 2020
Just the beginning
This is the beginning of the Great War with the Karracknids and it is a doozy. James Somerville defies Earth’s leaders to put a coalition together to fight the enemy. Is it enough? Time will tell.
This is the beginning of the Great War with the Karracknids and it is a doozy. James Somerville defies Earth’s leaders to put a coalition together to fight the enemy. Is it enough? Time will tell.
February 1, 2021
Escalation...Going Up⬆⬆⬆
I didn't write a review for the last 3 books , I read in this series. I figured if you've made it to book 5 ,you already know what a great series this is and in book 8 ,it only gets better. On to number 9
I didn't write a review for the last 3 books , I read in this series. I figured if you've made it to book 5 ,you already know what a great series this is and in book 8 ,it only gets better. On to number 9
February 18, 2021
As usual DJ has written a superb story
Great continuation of his saga. Sorry to see Suzanne's death in the story. The political events sound so much like our current political problems
Great continuation of his saga. Sorry to see Suzanne's death in the story. The political events sound so much like our current political problems
February 23, 2021
Another great book
Space opera at its best. Has epic battles, political intrigue, some sneaking around and just a tiny bit of romance. Again the technology stays consistent and believable. The big bad remind me of ST TOS Klingons, brutal bad efficient. Highly recommended.
Space opera at its best. Has epic battles, political intrigue, some sneaking around and just a tiny bit of romance. Again the technology stays consistent and believable. The big bad remind me of ST TOS Klingons, brutal bad efficient. Highly recommended.
August 12, 2021
Damn this is good
I've never read your stuff before this series but it's amazing. I have to say if James does not become emperor i will be crushed. I've been waiting for this book (hopefully) for the last 3 of them.
I've never read your stuff before this series but it's amazing. I have to say if James does not become emperor i will be crushed. I've been waiting for this book (hopefully) for the last 3 of them.
November 17, 2021
More
I’ve read from the beginning of this series and have fallen in love with the characters and their fight for freedom. I can’t wait for the homicidal aliens to get what’s coming to them.
I’ve read from the beginning of this series and have fallen in love with the characters and their fight for freedom. I can’t wait for the homicidal aliens to get what’s coming to them.
March 9, 2022
As I continue this series, I continue to be amazed at the strength of the plot.
As I said before in another review...this s an outstanding space opera. Everyone that enjoys sci-fi should be reading this series.
As I said before in another review...this s an outstanding space opera. Everyone that enjoys sci-fi should be reading this series.
July 6, 2022
The legend keep growing
DJ homes again develop the characters fully and brings all sorts of emotions to the 4 front Of their lives here Just when you think the worse just happened to them more comes up here. And you think one characters story is ending it grows....
DJ homes again develop the characters fully and brings all sorts of emotions to the 4 front Of their lives here Just when you think the worse just happened to them more comes up here. And you think one characters story is ending it grows....
September 16, 2023
Spoiler
Didn't see that plot twist coming. I have been binging on this series for several days now and have enjoyed every minute. The political intrigue and the battles are realistic enough and mirror our society today.
Didn't see that plot twist coming. I have been binging on this series for several days now and have enjoyed every minute. The political intrigue and the battles are realistic enough and mirror our society today.
May 26, 2025
Great read.
This book was a great read it was full of action both space and on different planets . The book was nonstop action from start to finish and a lot of different things happened in this book that surprised me . You will have to read it to find out all that happened.
This book was a great read it was full of action both space and on different planets . The book was nonstop action from start to finish and a lot of different things happened in this book that surprised me . You will have to read it to find out all that happened.
May 24, 2020
My review
Because I wanted to, and as far as I am concerned that’s good enough, I object to being told how many words I can use.
Because I wanted to, and as far as I am concerned that’s good enough, I object to being told how many words I can use.
May 25, 2020
A great continuation of the series.
July 2, 2020
Very good book.
I really enjoyed the book. It kept me up late turning page after page. I look forward to the next one.
I really enjoyed the book. It kept me up late turning page after page. I look forward to the next one.
July 2, 2020
Maaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!
This book was DOPE! The intrigue, the action the heartbreak. I am in love with this series! Please hurry with next book!!!!!!! ✊🏽💪🏾💪🏾✊🏽
This book was DOPE! The intrigue, the action the heartbreak. I am in love with this series! Please hurry with next book!!!!!!! ✊🏽💪🏾💪🏾✊🏽
August 12, 2020
Great book
Good writing that keeps you read intently. The storyline is both interesting and compelling.Sci by addicts will love it. Looking forward to the next book.
Good writing that keeps you read intently. The storyline is both interesting and compelling.Sci by addicts will love it. Looking forward to the next book.
November 18, 2020
Brilliantly written plot and story
Outstandingly good quality and is a great way to get out of the current situation lost in space and far from home
Outstandingly good quality and is a great way to get out of the current situation lost in space and far from home
July 16, 2021
Great new direction
I just can't put these books down! Can't wait to read more and find out what happens in the war of doom.
I just can't put these books down! Can't wait to read more and find out what happens in the war of doom.
February 17, 2022
wonderful reading
Emotional rollercoaster. Immediately grabbing for the next book. Full of surprises and very unexpected turns. I really love what Holmes is presenting us with.
Emotional rollercoaster. Immediately grabbing for the next book. Full of surprises and very unexpected turns. I really love what Holmes is presenting us with.
July 12, 2022
Best yet
Love the action and drama from the Characters. Simple but enough twist to make it intriguing. Looking forward to the next one.
Love the action and drama from the Characters. Simple but enough twist to make it intriguing. Looking forward to the next one.
May 6, 2023
Whoa!
Heck.yeah! The saga continues, don't get too attached to some characters... Space battles galore! Well written, great fun reads! Headed off to get the next one!
Heck.yeah! The saga continues, don't get too attached to some characters... Space battles galore! Well written, great fun reads! Headed off to get the next one!
February 27, 2022
Ultra thrilling!!!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews