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  • The Collapsing Empire

  • The Interdependency, Book 1
  • By: John Scalzi
  • Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
  • Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,559 ratings)
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The Collapsing Empire cover art

The Collapsing Empire

By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
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Summary

2018 Locus Award, Best Science Fiction Novel

Our universe is ruled by physics, and faster-than-light travel is not possible - until the discovery of The Flow, an extradimensional field we can access at certain points in space-time that transports us to other worlds, around other stars. 

Humanity flows away from Earth, into space, and in time forgets our home world and creates a new empire, the Interdependency, whose ethos requires that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It's a hedge against interstellar war - and a system of control for the rulers of the empire. 

The Flow is eternal - but it is not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well, cutting off worlds from the rest of humanity. When it's discovered that The Flow is moving, possibly cutting off all human worlds from faster-than-light travel forever, three individuals - a scientist, a starship captain, and the empress of the Interdependency - are in a race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse. 

©2017 John Scalzi (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fans of Game of Thrones and Dune will enjoy this bawdy, brutal, and brilliant political adventure." (Booklist)

"Scalzi has constructed a thrilling novel so in tune with the flow of politics that it would feel relevant at almost any time." (Entertainment Weekly)

"Political plotting, plenty of snark, puzzle-solving, and a healthy dose of action…Scalzi continues to be almost insufferably good at his brand of fun but think-y sci-fi adventure." (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about The Collapsing Empire

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Recommended

A well crafted space comedy that doesn't require you to be a sci-fi fan. Grips your attention from the start. Very enjoyable. One gripe - why a male narrator when the main characters are all female?

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very nice

I liked the book and series a lot. While I'm not a fan of Will Wheaton as a narrator, but the second book I got used to it. A very nice world is created in this series and an interesting concept.

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  • DH
  • 24-03-19

Fab book

Fab but, but the ending just seemed to tail off and was a cop out (Still well worth a listen though). Wil Wheaton continues to be one of favourite narrator's, which given how much disdain I have for him from his days in The Next Generation, probably says a lot for him.

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Very funny...

Funny... interesting universe, but perhaps a little predictable. I could see the ending coming from several chapters away.

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Sharp, thought provoking and so John Scalzi

I love John Scalzi's works. Each is smart and devoid of nonessential details where the non specified time in future is just a background for drama and comedy taking place between people. Everything is an dialogue.
This particular book and the trilogy through a dialogues and accompanying action introduces us to the complexity of interdependency. That is if you want to look into deeper layers. On the surface it is a skillfully written adventure. The one I want to continue with the characters.
I can't not see Kiva to be of African descent and Emperor half Asian... I do wonder if it is only me.
And Will Wheaton's performance is just a generous layer of cherries on that amazing cake!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

lovely book

loved it. everything about it was perfect. great characters, great story and very good world building. it's also fairly accurate scientifically also

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Awesome political space opera, excellent narration

Really enjoyable science fiction with a believable political system, and brilliant narration from Wil Wheaton.

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Fun sci-fi

A fun not-to-serious sci-fi story. I also really enjoy Will Wheaton's narration. This is the second audible book I have listened to by him and he has been excellent in both. Would listen to more by Will Wheaton.

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Excellent start on a new saga!

Scalzi is a wonderful storyteller. I find the journey he takes me on a real pleasure, and the characters he uses great to spend time with.

Wheaton is one of the few American narrators that don't bother me... Excellent work

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Well paced and highly enjoyable

Wil Wheaton has a talent for story telling and with John Scalzi penning the story, it's a great combination.
My first Sci-fi / Space Opera and not to be my last. I'd highly recommend this one.
There's conflict, love, humour, a ton of swearing and a future universe that doesn't sound too far fetched.
I'll have to check out some of John's other novels while I wait for this one's sequel.

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