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Power Games
Kaede is growing up fast, and Emperor Takahiro is grooming Kaede to be his replacement. Facing many changes in his life, with little control over his life, Kaede goes with the flow and learns to take advantage. Along the way, Kaede makes new friends, sets himself goals and builds his popularity. Privy to secret information and backed by the Emperor's wealth and influence, Kaede builds a business empire. However, the pirates have not given up, and events lead to a deadly confrontation that will change Kaede's life forever.
This book contains non-standard relationships and adult situations.
This book contains non-standard relationships and adult situations.
675 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2019
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About the author
David Applegate
5 books87 followersDavid Applegate is an Australian and based in Brisbane, Queensland.
From early childhood, David had dreams of stories about Elves. Having placed those dreams on hold to focus on family and career, now he can concentrate on writing.
Follow me at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrDavidTAppl...
From early childhood, David had dreams of stories about Elves. Having placed those dreams on hold to focus on family and career, now he can concentrate on writing.
Follow me at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrDavidTAppl...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 5, 2024
Power Games (Book 2) by David Applegate
A Book Review by AZ Perez
June 2024
A book that is grand and full of ultramodern wonders!
It displays a train of interesting, vibrant, futuristic characters from orcs, dwarves, goblins, reptiles and elves in land, in waters on this planet and from outer spaces- from other galaxies. It exhibits marvelous, stealth spaceships and underwater vessels, robots, artificial intelligence, magic and the wonders of genetic engineering.
It focuses into the intricacies of power, acquiring power and maintaining power and its implication as well as the ‘anathema’ and accountabilities it entailed.
The book narratives are almost perfect if not perfect in terms of putting punctuation within speech marks.
Kaede, the main character, is a product of genetic engineering. An almost perfect creature that can acquire knowledge even in his younger years and can execute them into actual invention and business. However, it’s interesting that he feels human emotions. His flaws are very human. He gets hurt like a fragile child when people regard him as a ‘freak’ because his plays are not for the ‘ordinary child’.
Although the featured Empire is ruled by men, and the ruling class wishes their offspring to be individuals to perpetuate and maintain their power, in this book, the gender of the elves as an empire, morphs – from boy to girl or girl to boy. Some empires are ruled by women as well.
Overall, Book 2 The Empire of the Elves, is still at its introductory part, where and when the world, set-up and inhabitants of this fantasy book are thoroughly described. The conflict and tension are just taking off and the powers of the players in this fantastic world have been initially revealed. It is grand and marvelously exciting to look forward to!
A Book Review by AZ Perez
June 2024
A book that is grand and full of ultramodern wonders!
It displays a train of interesting, vibrant, futuristic characters from orcs, dwarves, goblins, reptiles and elves in land, in waters on this planet and from outer spaces- from other galaxies. It exhibits marvelous, stealth spaceships and underwater vessels, robots, artificial intelligence, magic and the wonders of genetic engineering.
It focuses into the intricacies of power, acquiring power and maintaining power and its implication as well as the ‘anathema’ and accountabilities it entailed.
The book narratives are almost perfect if not perfect in terms of putting punctuation within speech marks.
Kaede, the main character, is a product of genetic engineering. An almost perfect creature that can acquire knowledge even in his younger years and can execute them into actual invention and business. However, it’s interesting that he feels human emotions. His flaws are very human. He gets hurt like a fragile child when people regard him as a ‘freak’ because his plays are not for the ‘ordinary child’.
Although the featured Empire is ruled by men, and the ruling class wishes their offspring to be individuals to perpetuate and maintain their power, in this book, the gender of the elves as an empire, morphs – from boy to girl or girl to boy. Some empires are ruled by women as well.
Overall, Book 2 The Empire of the Elves, is still at its introductory part, where and when the world, set-up and inhabitants of this fantasy book are thoroughly described. The conflict and tension are just taking off and the powers of the players in this fantastic world have been initially revealed. It is grand and marvelously exciting to look forward to!
May 26, 2025
Power Games: Empire of Elves. David Applegate.
Big Canvas for a vastly plotted science fiction/fantasy novel.
Power in the empire of the Elves is upheld and defined by service and wealth. Elves do not die from old age but must undergo magical rejuvenation at times.
In this society the hero Kaede must fight against plots within the palace of his father and grandfather and factions and pirates outside it. This is an empire created by a blend of science and magic. The author is clearly excited by science and technology. The sweep of the story is huge and the world building is massive, with naga, witches, ogres, elves, dragons, demons and more. It is a very violent, at times cruel vision, with spies and conspiracies, high stakes, family drama and life and death. The death of one major character in particular through treachery is affecting.
“Power Games” is fascinating as a fantasy, being partly inspired by eastern, Japanese ideas and culture and thought-provoking in ideas regarding gender.
As a reader, I found the language in the work rather coarse at times, but that is a personal reaction. I also found that the author rarely shows the feelings, emotional responses or thoughts of characters. There is a lot of surface. I was not fully in a character’s head or heart so the viewpoints to me are not as involving as they could be.
The finish of the story was open-ended and clearly intended to tempt the reader to devour the next novel in the series.
Big Canvas for a vastly plotted science fiction/fantasy novel.
Power in the empire of the Elves is upheld and defined by service and wealth. Elves do not die from old age but must undergo magical rejuvenation at times.
In this society the hero Kaede must fight against plots within the palace of his father and grandfather and factions and pirates outside it. This is an empire created by a blend of science and magic. The author is clearly excited by science and technology. The sweep of the story is huge and the world building is massive, with naga, witches, ogres, elves, dragons, demons and more. It is a very violent, at times cruel vision, with spies and conspiracies, high stakes, family drama and life and death. The death of one major character in particular through treachery is affecting.
“Power Games” is fascinating as a fantasy, being partly inspired by eastern, Japanese ideas and culture and thought-provoking in ideas regarding gender.
As a reader, I found the language in the work rather coarse at times, but that is a personal reaction. I also found that the author rarely shows the feelings, emotional responses or thoughts of characters. There is a lot of surface. I was not fully in a character’s head or heart so the viewpoints to me are not as involving as they could be.
The finish of the story was open-ended and clearly intended to tempt the reader to devour the next novel in the series.
March 29, 2025
In Power Games, the gripping second installment of The Empire of Elves series, we witness the remarkable journey of Kaede as he rises to shape an intergalactic empire. Starting at just eight years old and growing into a savvy teenager by the end of the story, Kaede's trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary. Gifted and ambitious, he begins acquiring companies by age ten, amassing enough wealth and power to dethrone his own grandfather—the reigning Emperor—in a strategic move that simultaneously saves his grandfather from disgrace.
The Elves' Empire spans another planetary system and is one of seven major ethnic states, with the world divided much like Earth. Surrounding this empire are various other spacefaring species, including Ogres, Orcs, Nagas, and mysterious entities lurking in the Dark Nebula. As tensions escalate, Kaede foresees an impending war, adding layers of anticipation and high stakes to the narrative.
David Applegate’s storytelling is highly imaginative, introducing fascinating settings like New Tokyo in another galaxy, and weaving intricate dynamics between cultures and characters. With a climactic buildup that leaves readers eager for what’s to come, Power Games deserves every bit of its five-star rating. Bravo to the author for crafting such an incredible tale!
The Elves' Empire spans another planetary system and is one of seven major ethnic states, with the world divided much like Earth. Surrounding this empire are various other spacefaring species, including Ogres, Orcs, Nagas, and mysterious entities lurking in the Dark Nebula. As tensions escalate, Kaede foresees an impending war, adding layers of anticipation and high stakes to the narrative.
David Applegate’s storytelling is highly imaginative, introducing fascinating settings like New Tokyo in another galaxy, and weaving intricate dynamics between cultures and characters. With a climactic buildup that leaves readers eager for what’s to come, Power Games deserves every bit of its five-star rating. Bravo to the author for crafting such an incredible tale!
December 9, 2025
A Fascinating Look at Power and Responsibility
I really enjoyed how the author explored Kaede’s relationship with Emperor Takahiro. Watching Kaede grow into someone capable of leading and making huge decisions made the book feel rich and thoughtful. The mix of strategy, friendship, and personal ambition was especially well done.
I really enjoyed how the author explored Kaede’s relationship with Emperor Takahiro. Watching Kaede grow into someone capable of leading and making huge decisions made the book feel rich and thoughtful. The mix of strategy, friendship, and personal ambition was especially well done.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews