Books: The Consuming Fire By John Scalzi (2018)

 

"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 preparing for a civil war, a war that will take place in the halls of power, the markets of business and the the altars of worship. 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."

As with all middle books within a trilogy, everything must be set-up for the conclusion. The Consuming Fire is good, a fun space opera filled with interesting characters and some clever storytelling. But Scalzi relies too much on exposition here and amazing convenience. Everyone knows everything and vomits it out at a drop of hat. The Memory Room is used too much to explain the plot points for readers who’ll read this book in front of the TV or between vids on TickTok. So in the end, this middle book becomes all explanations with little plot. 

The there is the arrival of the mysterious walking holo dude (woman?) Tomas Reynauld Chenevert, who either holds the keys the Interdependency survival or has some other plan to bring it to its knees.

Some reviews claim to think this is Scalzi’s Dune, but this series is not as dense or complex as Herbert’s work. And while it features conspiracies, this series is seemly more an espionage thriller with humor, a lot of fucking, a lot chewing at the scenery. Still, at its heart, I continue to see the many parallels of modern America here. Here Scalzi makes it obvious that it was written during the most divisive time in our modern history.

So onto book three…