What I’m reading: Hidden Empire

September 8th, 2008

Well I finally finished the first book in The Saga of Seven Suns and it was an exhausting run. Originally when I began reading it I misplaced the book and I wasn’t really paying much attention to it anyway so I was confused over all of the characters and locations.

When I finally found the book again I just started reading those chapters over and putting a lot more focus into the novel. I also happened upon the prequel comic book which explain a lot of the background which possibly made the reading of the massive 720 page long book a little easier.

It is all worth it though, even though I have another six equally long books to follow I am suitably intrigued by this incredibly complex world that Kevin J Anderson has developed. Ironically enough I didn’t discover the glossary or guide to characters that was located at the end of the book until I had in fact reached the end.

If space opera is your thing and the idea of a large book and a seven part series doesn’t intimidate you then I highly recommend this book. I will warn you though as Adam already did to me, don’t get too attached to anyone because death can come swiftly and suddenly to anyone in the Saga of Seven Suns!

I think I’m going to get away from space opera a bit and might read Jumper next (although I’m also reading a web designer textbook at the same time).

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14 Comments

Ian September 8th, 2008
I like your posts on what you’re reading because it helps keep me interested in the written word.

I’m currently working through a tome of pregnancy and baby book that my wife is piling on my bedside table, and they need to be all read and understood by the end of December (that’s the earliest the baby could come). I’ve got to tell you, I feel like I’m back as uni studying like mad for a final.

Amounst the baby books, I’ve a book on time management that I really want to read, but I haven’t found time for it yet

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By Lee on September 9th, 2008 | Reply
Have you seen Knocked Up? It just makes me think of the film you talking about the baby books (read them before an earthquake hits!)

How deliciously ironic regarding the time management book

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By Ian on September 10th, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, I’ve seen Knocked Up, not that I see many movies now for fear of falling behind and failing the course.

Did I just call Fatherhood a course? Ooh, that’s not a good start

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goatlady September 8th, 2008
Ha ha, I bought parts one and two of this series for my Dad for Father’s Day. He’s a sci-fi nut and loves the space opera thing so I’m sure he’s gonna love it.

Me, I have trouble reading these days. I used to devour books in a day or two but since the internet, I read so much online that reading on paper is a real effort. I have a ton of good books sci-fi books queued up to read though… I think I need to set aside time each day for novels. I really want to read the Night Watch/Day Watch novels (loved the movies but they are hell confusing).

goatladys last blog post..Hilarious Metallica Haiku

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By Lee on September 9th, 2008 | Reply
Oh cool, I hope he enjoyed them, I bought them all in one hit (except for the very latest) so I’ve got a very vested interesting in reading them since I’ve made an investment.

The Night Watch/ Day Watch movies, were they based on books originally?

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By goatlady on September 9th, 2008 | Reply
I’m actually not sure on the Night Watch/Day Watch thing… I’ll have to dig them out and try and work it out. Maybe I’ll even start reading them!

goatladys last blog post..Hilarious Metallica Haiku

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Arjan September 8th, 2008
I returned to the 11! part biography of Churchill which I got after my grandpa died..I was already reading part one, but got sidetracked in other books. It’s interesting, but it reads slow.

I think I saw Hidden empire in a bookstore last saturday..I’ll try and let it lie there for just a bit longer..

Arjans last blog post..My ‘backyard’: thanks neighbours..

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By Lee on September 9th, 2008 | Reply
I’ve always had an interest in Churchill. I remember, I think someone quoted a story about him in Babylon 5 where he knew that a town was going to be destroyed in order to help win the war and that innocent English citizens were going to die in that. It was the longest night for him.

I’ll have to look that up again.

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Karen (miscmum) September 8th, 2008
You do realise my husband is strutting around the house now saying, “I’m famous - Lee mentioned my name!”

Forgetting the fact Adam gets a mention on MINE every other day, lol.

I don’t count apparently…

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By Lee on September 9th, 2008 | Reply
That’s awesome to hear Karen, I’m glad I could help him out during his internment working with the sick

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arkonbey September 8th, 2008
Being a sci-fi and fantasy nut AND having worked at an independent bookstore (which gave me lots to choose from), I find I am now leery of any book of that page count. I find, to paraphrase Mark Twain, that volume of words don’t make good writing. You only need to see what golden age authors could do in a short story.

I am especially leery when it is a ‘cycle’ of eight paperbacks that are each over two inches in thickness. To me this shows a writer that doesn’t know how to kill his babies; every word is far too important to him/her.

I think that’s why I’ve been hitting the ‘young adult’ stuff. Garth Nix, Phillip Reeve and Jonathan Stroud.

Boy, you’d imagine with a rant like that I’ve thought a lot about this. Considering the number of times I had to sell someone ‘Eragon’, yeah, I have.

arkonbeys last blog post..Comic Poll

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By Lee on September 9th, 2008 | Reply
I try not to judge a book by its length, I certainly know what your saying but I’m happy to let you know that Saga of the Seven Suns doesn’t waste any words
I think Stephen King can sometimes suffer from lack of a vicious editor - Carrie is brilliant, Pet Sementary is looong, I mean it’s still good but certainly could have some words trimmed.

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Ryan September 9th, 2008
In these days my full concentration is my all internet ventures and siblings so am not reading a much. Just like a natural or strange phenomena, I always need some sci-fi books to refresh myself after heavy work loads. Surely, I shall be reading the novel in my next sitting.

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By Lee on September 9th, 2008 | Reply
I go through seasons of reading myself, trying to keep the reading season going long as I can.

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