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The Collapsing Empire,
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Joost
This is the first novel in a new series, so you don't have to read anything else!
Akshay
This book is the start of a new contract that Scalzi signed to keep him writing for 10 years. It's the first book in a series and thus not a stand-alone, however it is also not related to any of his other books, so you don't have to read anything before this one.
Adam
Yet it's definitely *not* a standalone. Unlike most Scalzi books, the plot of this one isn't even remotely resolved by the end. Honestly, the main plot point, "the collapsing empire" is in the background the whole time and barely any action is done regarding it by any of the characters. So it's basically an entire book to set up a series/universe and it's done well for that. The sub-plots are also interesting and enjoyable. But the main plot is barely approached, let alone concluded. So no, not a "stand-alone" novel.
Kruunch
It's not connected to any of his other works and is the start of a new series.
Adam
Let's be clear, this is a standalone novel... and you should ABSOLUTELY read previous Scalzi books also!
Paul
Scalzi is an uneven writer. I thought "The Android's Dream" was a terrific audiobook https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Sci-Fi-.... I wasn't impressed with some of his others.
Carl
Read other Scalzi books... period. This book was weak - the characters are more like caricatures, the action contrived, the dialogue ludicrous. I enjoyed some of his prior work because it dealt with actual conflict, driven by societal differences, or the affect of new technologies on societies, and had characters who evolved. This isn't it.
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