The Sundering: Dread Empire's Fall (Dread Empire's Fall Series Book 2) Kindle Edition

Bracing space opera coupled with a large dollop of "Sense and Sensibility" kind of 18th century social hijinks, with maybe some Horatio Hornblower thrown in. Felt internally consistent least.

Like the first book in this series, there were slow stretches and the high paced fun stretches. I think my anger over events that transpired between the two main characters may cloud my overall opinion to some degree. I guess it’s a good sign that their life’s matter to me.My hope is that events come full circle and all becomes right in the next book, but my doubts do leave me with dreaded suspense.

There's an astonishing moment just past the halfway point of "Dread Empire 2, The Sundering." One of the two chief characters, Caroline Sula, normally a teetotaller, is sitting in a bar, staring a drink she's ordered, while listening to a torch singer on the stage. For four or five pages, the action in this zingy sci-fi opus (second of three) ceases, as we wait to see whether she'll take a sip of that drink or not.It's one of the most suspenseful sequences in the book, and considering the author has set out to write what's typically described as a sprawling, suspenseful space opera (and he has succeeded very well indeed) this is astonishing.And there are plenty more startling scenes in this superior piece of work. As in the first book, Walter Jon Williams divides his time between his two chief characters, Sula and Captain Gareth Martinez, as they, in the face of numerous provocations, attempt to save the empire, which often means saving it from itself.The tale has two threads, one following Sula, the other Martinez, and they intersect only once--although it's one heck of an intersect, and it's well plotted and crafted.Both Martinez and Sula are, in very different ways, iconoclasts. They don't just think outside the box--they thrive on doing that. And as they maneuver their way through pompous aristocrats, stultified bureaucrats, and upholders of doctrine, they succeed for the most part.Although this is, as always, the problematic middle book of a trilogy, it has enough of a resolution to persuade you that what you have in front of you is a novel complete in itself. But read the first book before you tackle this one. You'll be lost if you don't.

First off this series will not suit those who expect a lot of action - this is a book of contrasts; sometimes the action is fast-paced and at other times the book slows to develop other aspects of the story-line and indulge in showing its [the Shaa Empire's] decadence, political maneoverings and general opulance. The Dread Empire's Fall Series is right up my street - I confess to rather enjoying historical novels (when not reading sci-fi) and have no problem with descriptive prose that details the day to day life of characters and society. To a certain extent the DEF series follows that formula well - giving us a glimpse into the day to day life of the wealthy Peerage and society of the Shaa Empire. It is told in lively, satirical way, from the pov of the main characters, Martinez and Sula. Even when the Empire is divided into Loylist and Rebel groups, there is still time for marriages of convenience, political maneovering, dances and parties - all the while warships clash in epic battles and die amidst a storm of radiactive anti-matter. Overall, I have really enjoyed reading the Dread Empire's Fall series: it has great battle sequences, good character development and extensive world building.

Book one was the hook to get me to read this, and some of my observations there have played out here. The hero is just too much the only insightful member of the Space Navy. That is wrong. Even the Female counterpart being the only one who can see three chess moves ahead is wrong.We may be stuck in a situation where no new initiative has been used for thousands of years, but once it gets started, others can use their brains to come up with solutions.Then there is the development of the love story, and the characters who are part of it. This actually works and shows that Williams has gotten credence as a writer. The character development, while it takes away a great deal of time from the action, is pretty decent and worth some immersion.Where I get lost to some extent is the accuracy of the speed of light sequencing of movement. There is a great deal of detail, and yet, a few simple concepts and I can envision what will happen with out all the extra that Williams has included.Have ordered book 3

The ultimate denouement of the entire series waits until the last sentence until it is revealed. That's fine writing that leaves the reader guessing, and it leaves one continuing on to the very end, turning pages with keen interest and satisfaction.At the same time, Walter Jon Williams leaves open the possibility of his re-visiting the complex universe he has created, as the dissatisfaction he has with the status-quo in the society he creates in the Dread Empire's Fall series is clear for all to see. That gives it a realism not often found in space opera science fiction -- there is no utopia here except for the select few, and the society overall is one that is built atop a foundation of inequity. That is an echo of the real world we all live in, of course, but Williams' society is quite different than our own in the Western world; it is a shade Victorian, a dollop of the Medieval feudal system and it far-flung in a future where Earth is not the literary "center of the Universe."All in all, The Sundering is a fun book to read, as its characters are complex, likable and vexing all the same. This is science fiction done right, and it is writing done well.

I like the fact that the MC’s are not being handed everything and are being knocked back a step at points even as they prove to be effective in the roles that they have. I love that this book plays to Sula’s strengths especially at the end can’t wait to read the next installment.Rating : 4/5Cover: 3/5Narration: N/AFavorite Line: N/A

After the disappointing ending of the Expanse books, this opera is great! The first book sets the scene (stay with it) and this the 2nd book in the series carries the action on! Looking forward to the next helping of Martinez & Sula!

I enjoyed this book immensely. One of the better books for having interesting space naval combat. Excellent world building as well, with aliens that seem alien. Just as good as the first.

Pretty standard space opera fare, not really interesting. The first book lays some good foundations with an interesting world with many alien races, but this one is way too formulaic and cliche.Specially dumb is that the author clings to the typical trope of the "master tactician main character". But when other authors justify this somehow, here it comes out of the blue. In book one we have two resourceful main characters, but in book two we know have them suddenly devising grand strategic and tactical plans while everyone else in the universe is too dumb to have any ideas on their own.I'm not picking book 3, I'm afraid.

Easy military Sci-Fi read for relaxing. Plot and behaviour of protagonists mostly predictable but still entertaining if you like traditional space fights and a simple plot.

There are parts where the writing is quite poetic. Outdated, rigid military tactics Vs modern weapons. (Think: WW! massed attacks across no-mans-land into modern machine guns). Love won, lost, won, lost. Nepotism. Officer class only from the aristocracies peers. With all this the empire deserves to be broken up.