The Killing of Worlds (Succession)

Rating:
Summary: The tale is now complete.
Review: Those readers who enjoyed Mr. Westerfeld's "The Risen Empire," but were majorly (or even minorly) disappointed by its abrupt ending that left the tale half untold will be delighted to know that they can read this "sequel" without fear of being once again left hanging. Things are wrapped up nicely this time.

"Killing of Worlds" serves up more of the author's character-based space opera (I called "Risen Empire" a space-soap opera), with no heroes and no villains--just people doing what they do. Once again, the tale is told from multiple points of view (whose pov you're now entering is clear from the chapter titles), with most of the characters from part I back (including the dead cats) and with some new ones as well. This time the centerpiece is a terrific space duel betwen Laurent Zai of the space frigate Lynx and a ship from the enemy empire of the tech-enhanced Rix.

While the chase is going on Zai's lover, Senator Nara Oxham, is involved in a political duel of her own--against the immortal "Risen Emperor" of the Eighty Worlds, who has a secret that needs to be revealed. And in addition a Rix commander and her lover are aiding a Rix-designed AI "compound mind" that calls itself Alexander.

The author moves things along swiftly to a breathtaking (and worldshaking) conclusion. Maybe you'll be surprised when the mystery at the heart of the tale (i.e., the Emperor's secret) is uncovered, but if so, you'll probably slap your forehead and think you should have seen it coming--the clues have been there from the start.

Exciting. Well written. Fascinating tech. What more could you ask for? Well, a real sequel, perhaps?