The Sundering: Dread Empire's Fall [Mass Market Paperback]

Walter Jon Williams (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dread Empires Fall | Publication Date: February 24, 2004

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A spectacular far-future space opera.” (Locus )

“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.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (February 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380820218
• ISBN-13: 978-0380820214
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest hard SF book with a great story, April 2, 2004

By 

David "dtstrange" (Pleasant Hill, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sundering: Dread Empire's Fall (Mass Market Paperback)

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 "Dread Empire's Fall". The Sundering (not that I get the title) picks up right where the first one left off with our heroes gallantly trying to put down a rebellion that threatens the stability of a 10,000 year old empire. The book starts off quick, stabilizes in the middle and finishes with a bang which leaves you wanting more. The story is not over yet and while I have no idea how many more books WJW intends to write, one can only hope for about two more, in which he should be able to wrap up the story and get on with something else. (I don't approve of endless novels). There is also a wonderful sense of humor throughout this book, not the Terry Pratchett kind, but a subtle realistic humor that makes this book very unique and a wonderful read.

WJW does a great job in showing just how hard it would be to stage a battle in space. Fighting gravitational thrust, incredibly long distances, inadequate intelligence all make a much more realistic view of space warfare then what is usually seen in SF novels. While other authors ignore facts of physics or invent some magical contraption to negate the effects, Williams deals with them honestly and effectively. This book is not only a great story, but it's not a cheat. In other words, as Arthur C. Clarke and other great SF writers have shown, it is possible to tell a good story and stick to scientific fact. While most other authors in this genre have conveniently forgotten how to do this in order to create boring "space operas", WJW forges ahead in the path developed for him by the great masters of SF. I only hope we see more of WJW soon and that he keeps writing great books like the Praxis series and "Days of Atonement", which is one of the best time travel novels ever written.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Originality in a Different Space Opera, September 7, 2005

By 

John A Lee III "jal3" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sundering: Dread Empire's Fall (Mass Market Paperback)

This second book in the DREAD EMPIRE'S FALL series is even better than the first. The characters continue to develop in complexity and their lives become even more complicated. An empire-wide civil war just makes matters worse for those involved. The result is a good story and bad times for galactic civilization.

In this installment the two major protagonists are reunited for a brief time only to have their personal foibles drive them apart. Each goes his/her own way and puts all available energies into fighting the war. Martinez does so with the fleet in space and Sula does so as a ground pounder. Each is extremely competent and each faces unexpected troubles.

I'm ready now for the next book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Character and Action Wow, April 6, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sundering: Dread Empire's Fall (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.