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Rating: 
Summary: Unusual entry--which is not a bad thing!
Review: "Far Empire" is unusual for a novel in the Outlanders series in that it concentrates more on tying up some loose ends from the two part Dragon Kings epic, as well as introducing new situations and characters into the mix. It's also unusual in that grater attention is given to the erotic aspects of the series than has been the norm lately, with a surprisingly graphic sex scene. The plot is straightforward--Quavell is abducted to Australia during a mat-trans jump. Kane and Grant are sidelined with injuries so it's up to the females to rally a rescue--isn't that just like real life? Brigid, Shizuka and Domi travel to Ayers Rock in Australia to get her back and they do it in style. Overall,despite the fact that most of the physical action is pretty much confined to the first few and last few chapters, "Far Empire" is a solid, satisfying read, particular for us female fans of the series. It's a character driven story, not plot driven. It's almost like this book was written as a "thank you" for the show of support for the Outlanders series from women readers and if that's the case, all I can say to the author, on behalf of the female OL fans is a heartfelt "You're Welcome!" And by the way--I think this cover is great!!
Rating:
Summary: Far Empire!!
Review: As usual Mark Ellis has given us an OL installment that one just can't put down. From the first page, Far Empire hits the ground running, shooting out of the gate, and carrying the reader along for the ride. Unlike past installments of the OL series Far Empire, carried a very strong erotic tone that was apparent through the entire novel, as well as concentrating for the most part on some of the female characters that have come to be such an intrecal part of the series over the last five plus years. Tying up some loose ends from the previous OL installment DRAGONEYE, limited the amount of action that could be placed in this particular story. Even so that decrease in action did not protract from the story or make this OL installment any less enjoyable than past installments. The introduction of new characters, and new situations, as well as shifting the spotlight on to some familiar faces, in order to expand on the stories each character has, made Far Empire an interesting read, and that much more enjoyable. This is definately well worth the time and money, both will be well spent on this latest OL story.
Rating:
Summary: A fun visit with the heroes
Review: First, I don't think there was any way Mark Ellis could have topped himself after the epic two-parter, the Dragon Kings. Far Empire is a break from the frantic action and mighty revelations of the two previous books. But a lot of stuff still goes on in this book starting with the cover...it's beautiful! I was very impressed since we finally get to see what Domi looks like after all these years! The cover fits in with the very erotic overtones of the story itself. We get see Kane and Grant in action in the Manta ships taken from the moon base, we see the three main women characters of the series take center stage, kicking [behind] and taking names-- AND we finally find out what happened to Baron Cobalt whose fate has been a mystery for nearly two years! Not to mention that a couple of new female characters are introduced, both of them as different from one another as can be. I really enjoyed the sequences set in Australia with the aborgines and their beliefs in "Dreamtime." I'd like to see another adventure set there. I'm such a fan of the series and the characters just visiting with the heroes makes up for any lack of pointless gunfights and bloodshed.
Rating:
Summary: Very engaging
Review: I have to admit I don't usually read books like this since I prefer fantasy and some sci-fi. But the cover grabbed me and the contents held me. This was a very engaging, sexy romp with good solid characterization. If Far Empire is an indicator of what the Outlanders series as a whole is like, then I'll be a regular reader.
Rating:
Summary: Changes are a good thing
Review: The book was a well needed rest from the Epic level adventures the author has been giving
us for quite some time now. Believe me, I'm not complaining about the sheer magnitude of the adventures that the
Cerberus Exiles have been facing as of late, quite the contrary. They need a rest,
a break from saving not only humanity, but the world, and, in the case of the Dragon
King's, the whole solar system. As people have come to expect with the series, the book is about change, and quite significant changes at that, which will be mentioned below. The novel begins in the Australian Outback, at a base that has been constructed inside
a powerful natural energy location, that has been worshipped by the Aboriginals since time
immorial. The aboriginals are not at all pleased with the intrusion, and make their displeasure
known to Sam's forces. Kane and Grant are testing out the air to surface capabilities of the Manta craft, which they
have taken from the moonbase. They attack AREA 51, and end up destroying a number of
Magistrates. They're quite happy with the way the craft perform. It is here that Grant informs Kane that he's leaving, to go to New Edo to be with the woman
who's captured his heart. This is just the first of the major changes occuring in the
series. Cerberus is changing as well. Survivors from the moonbase are starting to trickle back Earth,
and are taking up residence in the redoubt. For the first time in years, new personnel are walking the halls of the base. Kane and Grant, especially Kane, is something of a legend
amoung the newcomers, not only because of saving the entire Solar system, but
the fact that he went toe to toe with Maccan and not only survived, but defeated the
last Danaan. Things are tense between Kane and Quavell. He uses any excuse that he can to stay away
from her. Grant brings Shizuka with him back to Cerberus, to meet with the personel, yet another
change taking place. The original idea was to return to the moonbase to get the medical equipment they needed
to help Quavell during her pregnancy, and this leads not only to her kidnapping, but it also
incapacitates both Kane and Grant, leaving the rescue mission up to Brigid, Domi and
Shizuka. Despite the tension between Domi and Shizuka, they travel to the Outback, using
Lakesh's Phase Transducer. During the voyage, they encounter the Dreamtime, and
when they awaken, they're guests of the Aboriginals, who attacked Sam's base. While she is captive, a great deal is learned about Quavell, and the hybrids as well,
including the fact that Quavell had a human lover before Kane, and the other humans
who were forced into 'service' at Cobalts demand. With their help, they are able to infiltrate the facility, locate and rescue Quavell. As I mentioned earlier, there are a significant number of changes to the series, many of
which are going to have long term effects as the series goes on. Keep the changes coming, all that can happen is more and more readers get attracted to the series, as long as they're done properly, and the time is taken to introduce said changes, without just throwing them at the readers with little to no explination!
Rating:
Summary: Colorful and vivid characters make this a winner
Review: This is only the third in the Outlanders series I've read but Far Empire is the best so far. Good action and characters with a fast moving plot and interesting places make this a book a winner which kept me entertained from the first page to the last. I liked it very much.
Rating: 
Summary: FAR EMPIRE IS FAR OUT!
Review: This newest installment of the OUTLANDERS series starts with a bang and end with a bang. Mark Ellis is easily one of the all-time best sci-fi/fantasy authors out there. Out of all of his novels, the least-liked book for me still rate high marks on my scale compared to most writers out there today.
In this latest, Kane and Grant and the rest of the exiles start to go through a growth change if you will, making the characters expand in seemingly different directions.
My only complaint for this one is that there was not enough action and adventure for me. This was more of a set-up novel for future things to come.
Still, all in all, this was an absorbing read with lots of interesting characters - both old and new - and that's one of Mark Ellis's strong points as a writer. It seems that change is on the horizon, and it looks like change for the better!
Rating:
Summary: FAR EMPIRE IS FAR OUT!
Review: This newest installment of the OUTLANDERS series starts with a bang and end with a bang. Mark Ellis is easily one of the all-time best sci-fi/fantasy authors out there. Out of all of his novels, the least-liked book for me still rate high marks on my scale compared to most writers out there today.
In this latest, Kane and Grant and the rest of the exiles start to go through a growth change if you will, making the characters expand in seemingly different directions.
My only complaint for this one is that there was not enough action and adventure for me. This was more of a set-up novel for future things to come.
Still, all in all, this was an absorbing read with lots of interesting characters - both old and new - and that's one of Mark Ellis's strong points as a writer. It seems that change is on the horizon, and it looks like change for the better!
Rating:
Summary: Sci-Fi Erotica
Review: This was a different but interesting entry in the Outlanders series. It focused on the "female" side of the series, prominently featuring all the women characters including a couple of new ones, Baron Beausoliel, the only female baron.There is also a sympathetic scavenger chief called Mammoth Mare McSween. There was a surprisingly graphic sex scene, flashing back to the time Kane was in captivity in Area 51 and forced to impregnant the female hybrids but the entire book had an atmosphere of smoldering eroticism. The plot was fairly simple in constrast to the last couple of books but it was great to see Brigid, Domi and Shizuka portrayed so strongly. Also, a mystery that has been hanging over the series since the Imperator Wars trilogy is finally solved...namely, what ever happened to Baron Cobalt? Far Empire isn't a big epic story like the two part Dragon Kings (how could it be?) it still held my interest all the way through. And if you're a fan of the female characters of Outlanders like me, I predict you'll love this particular book! And the cover is beautiful!!!
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