The Dread Empire of the Shaa is no more, following the death of the last oppressor. But freedom remains elusive for the myriad sentient races enslaved for ten centuries, as an even greater terror arises. The Naxids -- a powerful insectoid species themselves subjugated until the recent Shaa demise -- plan to fill the vacuum with their own bloody domination, and have already won a shattering victory with superior force and unimaginable cruelty. But two heroes survived the carnage at Magaria: Lord Gareth Martinez and the fiery, mysterious gun pilot Lady Caroline Sula, whose courageous exploits are becoming legend in the new history of galactic civil war. Yet their cunning, skill, and bravery may be no match for the overwhelming enemy descending upon the loyalist stronghold of Zanshaa, as the horrific battle looms that will determine the structure of the universe -- and who shall live to inhabit it -- for millennia to come.
The Sundering: Dread Empire's Fall Series, Book 2
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“A spectacular far-future space opera.” (Locus )
“Interstellar adventure has a new king, and his name is Walter Jon Williams.” (George R. R. Martin )
“Interstellar adventure has a new king, and his name is Walter Jon Williams.” (George R. R. Martin )
About the Author
Walter Jon Williams is a New York Times bestselling author who has been nominated repeatedly for every major SF award, including Hugo and Nebula Awards nominations for his novel City on Fire. His most recent books are The Sundering, The Praxis, Destiny’s Way, and The Rift. Mr. Williams lives near Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his wife, Kathleen Hedges.
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The defeated squadron was locked in its deceleration burn, the blazing fury of its torches directed toward the capital at Zanshaa. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The defeated squadron was locked in its deceleration burn, the blazing fury of its torches directed toward the capital at Zanshaa. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By J. Vilches
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Praxis Empire is embroiled in civil war as the Naxid try to take control. Gareth Martinez and Caroline Sula, two human heroes of earlier battles between the Naxid and the loyalists, work together from their respective ships to formulate new battle tactics to face the larger fleets of the rebels. Their relationship grows through these long-distance exchanges and sparks fly when their ships return to Zanshaa, the capitol planet. Will the ambitious Martinez be able to overcome the jealousy and inertia of his superiors and put their innovative plans into action? Will their romance survive Caroline's dark secret?
The Sundering picks up where the first book, The Praxis, ended and the books should be read in sequence. The plot is a well-balanced mix of political maneuvering, exciting combat sequences, and romantic entanglements. This series reminds me of the space operas by Peter Hamilton and Alastair Reynolds with a slightly more manageable cast of characters.
It's refreshing to read well-plotted space battles that pay attention to the laws of physics. The main characters are compelling and definitely have their share of flaws as well as virtues. Martinez is developed more in this book as he struggles to keep his arrogance and hot temper from thwarting his ambitions. Williams' has an easy to read writing style and the series so far has an interesting and not entirely predictable story line.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I very much enjoyed this book, as well as the second volume that followed. The characters were very well drawn, and react in a manner that fits their environment. When the last of its race, Anticipation of Victory dies, how will the Praxis survive? The Empire of the Shaa is a great backdrop for this story. Instead of humans victorious, or humans involved in a struggle for freedom, men are simply one of a half dozen conquered races living under the laws of the Praxis. This is a fantastic introduction to the series. The Empire is one of the most believable settings in a scifi novel I have read. The Shaa have assigned arbitrary values to the day, commemorate victory with ship names such as Destruction of Delhi, and enforce their laws with death or the complete destruction of worlds. There is not even a clue where their home world lies in space. I highly recommend this book to space opera fans.
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Sundering is the second book in the Dread Empire's Fall series. It continues the adventures of Martinez and Sula and more importantly deepens the relationship between the characters. This is hard SF set against a colorful universe filled with fascinating aliens and great battle sequences. What sets this book apart from so many "Space Operas" is the subtle humor and the complex and thoughtful characters. Williams is a brilliant wordsmith, but he can also tell a ripping good story. Buy this book. You won't be sorry. And may Mr. Williams continue this series for many more volumes.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An honest hard SF book with a great story
Yet another great book from Walter Jon Williams, the most underrated SF author around. This book is the second in the Praxis series and should not be read without having read... Read more
Published on April 2 2004 by David
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superior Space Opera!
The Sundering is the second volume of Walter Jon Williams' newest series, written around the lives of two engaging principals: Lord Gareth Martinez, the ambitious and extremely... Read more
Published on Feb 27 2004 by tranq45
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