From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

The Collapsing Empire (The Interdependency, #1)

John Scalzi

Start date: June 21, 2017

Finish date: July 12, 2017

Discussion: Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Rachel

Why we're reading this: Group contemporary novel discussion June 2017
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What Members Thought

Jul 23, 2019 David Garver rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction

Generally a really fun read, though the Scalzi clearly leans toward a fast, fun read over deep characterization or universe. Specific issues:

- The empress is a bit of a Mary Sue, and never really faces a conflict it's worth getting invested in. Issues are built up - but then resolved in an instant of outmaneuvering because she's a such a badass. Sure it's fun to read, but you stop feeling the will she / won't she win tension over time.

- I struggled to suspend my disbelief over the basic premise ...more

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Apr 18, 2018 Sean DeLauder rated it liked it

Shelves: harry-sf-book-club

This was my first crack at a Scalzi work and apparently it was bad timing on my part. There's much to like--the premise of the story is terrific: a non-static mechanism allowing humans to travel along pathways to restricted locations has resulted in human civilizations settling in less-than-hospitable locations, all of which rely upon one another for different resources, but now this system is beginning to break down.

As a story about a space-faring feudal system driven by families and guilds man ...more

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