![]() ![]() ![]() In the first entry in this new series from Westerfeld (Evolution’s Darling, 2000, etc.), we have the Risen Empire, 80-or-so worlds bound together for the past 1500 years by the divine presence of the Emperor, who sacrifices himself in order to be risen again. Keeping the reader constantly off-balance, Westerfeld skillfully integrates extreme technologies with human characters. An intergalactic empire struggles under the weight of its resurrected dead, while a story struggles to get moving. A devilishly unraveled loose end on the last page will ensure an audience for the next installment. Praise for The Risen Empire Westerfeld's exceptionally smart and empathetic novel, the first of two in a series, confirms the buzz that space opera is one of the most exciting branches of current SF. ![]() ![]() The story moves quickly, and the structure is satisfying-the author answers all the questions he highlights in this initial volume while leaving room for the plot to develop in the sequels. This lost hour has its own breed of predators ("darklings") who don't exist at any other time and who are terrified of stainless steel and 13-letter words but ever since Jessica arrived in town, darkling activity has been on the rise. Jessica Day has moved to the odd town of Bixby, Okla., where the water tastes odd and, she is told, "gives you funny dreams." The misfits at school, Dess, Rex and Melissa, see a kindred spirit in Jessica: like them, she was born at nearly the exact stroke of midnight, giving her the ability to experience the 25th hour of each day, which is "rolled up too tight" for the rest of humanity even to notice. ) begins this inventive contemporary fantasy-first in a planned trilogy-as a new-kid-in-high-school story he quickly introduces a few surreal bits and then begins revealing his secrets in careful increments. ![]()
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