40276268 – vintage old pocket watch and book
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week’s Can’t-Wait offering – The Consuming Fire – Book 2 of The Interdependency series by John Scalzi
#epic science fiction #political thriller #space travel
The Interdependency, humanity’s interstellar empire, is on the verge of collapse. The Flow, the extra-dimensional conduit that makes travel between the stars possible, is disappearing, leaving entire star systems stranded. When it goes, human civilization may go with it—unless desperate measures can be taken.
Emperox Grayland II, the leader of the Interdependency, is ready to take those measures to help ensure the survival of billions. But nothing is ever that easy. Arrayed before her are those who believe the collapse of the Flow is a myth—or at the very least, an opportunity that can allow them to ascend to power.
While Grayland prepares for disaster, others are preparing for a civil war, a war that will take place in the halls of power, the markets of business and the altars of worship as much as it will take place between spaceships and battlefields. The Emperox and her allies are smart and resourceful, but then so are her enemies. Nothing about this power struggle will be simple or easy… and all of humanity will be caught in its widening gyre.
I have read the preview chapters, provided by Netgalley and mostly enjoyed them, after loving the first book. Scalzi uses omniscient pov in this book, which gives it a slightly old fashioned feel, harking back to those epic adventures written in the last century. He manages to pull it off successfully, which isn’t all that easy to do. That said, there is a rather indigestible info-dump in the first chapter. Fortunately, it doesn’t last all that long, because Scalzi’s more usual, bouncy, irreverent voice punches through and whisks us up into this unfolding catastrophe. I’m really looking forward to getting hold of the whole book…
Brainfluff 
Great cover art and I hope you continue to enjoy the series, Sarah.
Yes, that is a cool cover, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to getting hold of the whole book, now…
I’m hoping this will be good. I just can’t bring myself to read preview chapters, I really need the entire book!
Yes… I have a confession to make – I was SO thrilled to see a Scalzi book actually AVAILABLE in the sad, lack-lustre UK version of Netgalley that I clicked BEFORE realising it was only the bloomin’ preview!
I need to read more of Scalzi’s work. I really like his style. Have a great day!
Thank you, Wendy:). I hope you are having a great week, too! Yes – I enjoy Scalzi’s writing. This one feels very different to his other stuff. Have you read the first book in this series?
I’m looking forward to this one too.
Lynn 😀
Yes – I’m hoping to get hold of the whole book in due course:)
I saw the preview on NetGalley but did not request it because I *knew*, with absolute certainty, that it would not be enough: the little Gollum inside my brains wantssss the whole book, Precioussss! 😀
Yes… I wasn’t as smart as you – I saw Scalzi and in a fit excitement clicked on it – and THEN realised it was a preview… Generally I won’t bother with them as I refuse to write a review on the strength of the first 6 chapters. Hence featuring it here…
At least you confirmed us that we can look forward to another good Scalzi story. And that’s more than enough! 🙂
You are nice! I feel SO much better about my wet-witted impulse to press the button – thank you:))
This sounds exciting! I’m not familiar with the author but I love stories set in space and I love political thrillers so this sounds like potentially a good fit for me.
Do start with the first book, The Collapsing Empire, Suzanne – otherwise I think you’ll struggle a bit, for all the info-dump…
Yes, a new Scalzi book always promises a good time! I can’t wait for this either!
Oh, AWESOME pick, Sarah!! This sounds absolutely TERRIFIC!! I like that there is a female emperor in this one! And yes, while the narration might be reminiscent of something like The Foundation Trilogy, it still sounds VERY exciting!! So I’ll be waiting with bated breath, right along with you! Adding this one to my Goodreads shelves!! Thanks for featuring it!! HUGS!!! ,3 🙂
The first book was a real roller-coaster ride – I really enjoyed it. Scalzi takes some of the main elements of epic sci fi and gives it his own spin. There is a fair sprinkling of bad language though – which is something I probably should have mentioned earlier…:)x