Hidden Empire (The Saga of Seven Suns) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Kevin J. Anderson (Author) "Safe in orbit high above the gas giant, Margaret looked through the observation port at continent-sized hurricanes and clouds far below..." (more)
Key Phrases: hydrogue emissary, eleven generation ships, chrysalis chair, Prime Designate, King Frederick, Solar Navy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this stellar launch of a new series, bestseller Anderson (Dune spinoffs with Brian Herbert; X-Files and Star Wars books) delivers action, engaging characters and credible fantastic worlds in spades or ekti, the fuel vital for spaceships in the year 2427. The Terran Hanseatic League, in a heady rush of manifest destiny, turns Oncier, a huge gas planet, into a sun so its four moons can be used for colonization. In the process, the Terrans disturb the ancient but dwindling Ildirans, their uneasy allies, whose leader, the Mage-Imperator, suspects that Terrans are far too eager to take over the spiral arm. Still worse, by inadvertently destroying Oncier's hitherto unknown colonists, the powerful hydrogues, the conversion of Oncier sets off a catastrophic conflict that threatens the existence of all Terrans and Ildirans. The Earth Defense Forces of the Terran Hanseatic League, the Worldtrees and Green Priests of Theroc, the gypsy Roamers who mine ekti all must unite with the Ildirans to fight the alien menace. Book one sizzles with a fast-moving plot woven tightly with vivid characterizations: the space cowboys Jess, Ross and Tasia Tamblyn; the exotic Ildirans; the grotesque Mage-Imperator and his handsome Prime Designate son, Jora'h; Beneto Theron, his clan and the bewitching Nira Khali; the appealing and not-so-appealing humans, Raymond/Peter and Chairman Basil Wenceslas; and many others, all conspiring to make this fascinating future epic one not to be missed.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

An experiment in converting a gas giant into a star with the potential for transforming the former planet's moons into environments suitable for human colonies awakens a heretofore hidden civilization and plunges the galaxy into a war for the survival of humanity. The latest novel by the author of Star Wars: Darksaber and the coauthor (with Brian Herbert) of Dune: House Atreides launches a dynamic space opera featuring political intrigue and intense personal drama. Anderson's skill in delivering taut action scenes and creating well-rounded human and alien characters adds depth and variety to a series opener that belongs in most sf collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Orbit (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316003441
• ISBN-13: 978-0316003445
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #168,284 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too ambitious?, June 14, 2003

By	ostawookiee "ostawookiee" (Winston-Salem, NC USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Hidden Empire (The Saga of the Seven Suns, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I didn't really start to enjoy this book until I was about halfway through. Anderson starts off by introducing you to ALL the characters immediately, and there's a good number of them. I think this is mainly because he's trying to set up a whole elaborate universe, and wants to set down all the rules and history immediately, rather than exposing you to them as it becomes necessary. So it's a bit confusing at first. He does start bringing their plot lines together around the midpoint, and as I mentioned, that made it more interesting and coherent. However, I never really identified or personally cared for any of the characters. Anderson never sold me on any of them.
Also, it should be noted that this is indeed the first book of a series, and it can NOT stand on it's own. He leaves you with cliffhangers, so expect to read the sequel(s?) also.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good start to a promising series, August 21, 2002

By	"slightlyaskew" (Earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Empire: The Saga of Seven Suns, Book 1 (Hardcover)

I came. I bought. I read.

I had been looking forward to this series ever since I saw Anderson mention it during an interview that revolved around the Dune trilogies he has been working on with Brian Herbert.

Being a fan of epic fantasy, the idea of a new sci-fi saga really interested me. Now that I have finished the first volume, I am eagerly anticipating the next: A Forest of Stars.

This first volume really sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a large scale, interstellar war between multiple alien races. Anderson put in some of my favorite sci-fi concepts making this series a blend of Star Wars, Dune, Stargate, and Starship Troopers all rolled into one.

Short chapters with a now popular point of view style make it hard to put the book down. It's a fun, smooth read.

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful futuristic epic, July 9, 2002

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Hidden Empire: The Saga of Seven Suns, Book 1 (Hardcover)

By the middle of the twenty-fifth century, humanity has proven its adaptability by accepting that we are not alone and in fact are the third sentient space travelers in our galaxy. The Ildirans have explored space for centuries finding the abandoned ruins of the Klikiss back in the mid twentieth century earth time. The Ildirans have shared science and technology speeding up humanity's journey in the galaxy.

In 2427, xeno-archaeologists Margaret and Louis Colicos know how to use a Klikiss device to convert a gas giant planet into a sun. They choose a hydrogen giant five times the size of Jupiter with numerous moons to create a new solar system for commercial venture. However, the implosion arouses a fourth intelligent race previously unknown to humanity and the Ildirans, the even more advanced Hydrogues, dwellers of the gas giants and now the victims of unintentional genocide making war imminent.

Science fiction fans need to set aside plenty of time as the first book of The Saga of Seven Suns: Hidden Empire is a one sitting reading though well over four hundred pages. The tale grabs the audience from the start as Kevin J. Anderson does not just introduce the several races and the orbs, but blends the players and worlds into the thrilling plot. Thus, the audience does not receive an extended prologue as often seen in first novels. Instead readers obtain a powerful futuristic epic that contains a robust stand-alone story line yet provides a puissant cliffhanger that will keep the audience wanting to continue non-stop with Book Two, Veiled Alliance.

Harriet Klausner