REVIEW: The Consuming Fire (The Interdependency #2) by John Scalzo

This is the second book in Scalzi’s sweeping space opera, The Interdependency. The setting some distance future, after humans have discovered The Flow, a space anomaly which makes travel between long distances possible. It appears to be a natural phenomenon, leading from one place to another. Numerous streams allow humanity to spread throughout the universe, creating an expansive empire of systems or locations connected by the Flow streams, called the Interdependency. Each system is dependent on the other for specific resources (to varying degrees), made up of local governments, with an overarching government headed by an emperor (the Emporox), a parliament, state Church, as well as trade guilds and family empires, all vying for power, money, and control.

The initiating incident in the first book is the discovery that the flow streams are collapsing, which will cut the Interdependency into pieces, leaving some without the resources to survive. In the midst of this impending crisis (which some do not believe will happen), government and family empires vie for power and economic stability. A new-crowned and reluctant Emperox must deal with all of this intrigue and find a way to help the Interdepency survive, if possible.

The second book picks up where the first left off. Some of the streams have now collapsed. Assassination attempts, palace intrigue, kidnappings, and exploration of a newly opened stream are just a few of the incidents that need to be addressed by the new Emporox and her allies.

As in the first book, Salzi’s writing includes engaging characters of all types, the sprawling world of power politics, and unfolding story of the characters, scientific issues, and political intrigue. and the dialog, narrative, and even the occasional “history” of the Interdependency is written to keep the reader engaged. As I mentioned in my review of the first book, the story keeps the reader engaged, and the characters, plot, and setting might remind readers of a futuristic Game of Thrones, with its political intrigue, power-plays, and decadent as well as heroic acts. But the scope of this series is galactic, moving from the personal struggles of the players to the fate of humanity.

This book is just as good as the first, without really a break between the two. If you enjoyed the first volume, you’ll want to continue with the second.

The Interdependency―humanity’s interstellar empire―is on the verge of collapse. The extra-dimensional conduit that makes travel between the stars possible is disappearing, leaving entire systems and human civilizations stranded.

Emperox Grayland II of the Interdependency is ready to take desperate measures to help ensure the survival of billions. But arrayed before her are those who believe the collapse of the Flow is a myth―or at the very least an opportunity to an ascension to power.

While Grayland prepares for disaster, others are prepare 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 between spaceships and battlefields.

The Emperox and her allies are smart and resourceful, as are her enemies. Nothing about this will be easy… and all of humanity will be caught in its consuming fire.

Amazon