John Scalzi is nothing if not dependable and consistent. You know what you're going to get with a Scalzi novel. Fast paced writing, interesting characters, well thought out worlds, and a very satisfying story. THE LAST EMPEROX, the final book in the Interdependency trilogy, is no exception.

The apocalypse is coming. Well, not yet, anyway, but soon-ish. The Interdependency, a galactic spanning empire held together by the Flow, a not-well-understood method of traveling between systems. The Flow is also Scalzi's way of getting around the FTL drive problem. We know that the Flow is going to collapse, eventually isolating all the systems in the Interdependency. As a reminder, it is called the Interdependency for a reason. Systems can't support themselves, and they all depend on each other via the Flow stream. It is up to Emperox Grayland II - otherwise known as Cardenia Wu-Patrick - and her lover, Flow physicist Lord Marce Claremont, to figure out a way to save the people of the Interdependency.

But of course it's never that easy, is it?

The huge cast of scheming, conniving characters from the first two books, THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE and THE CONSUMING FIRE, are back to make life difficult and interesting for Grayland. Grayland made a lot of enemies at the end of book two, exposing the member of a rebellion and sending them to prison. Nadashe Nohamapetan continues to orchestrate assassination attempts in an effort to get Grayland off the throne and get herself seated there. She's not the only one, of course, and as it becomes obvious that there are as many people that want her dead as want her alive, she needs to come up with that plan to save the people of the empire. What's different about her plan, as opposed to the plans of the opposing nobles, is that she wants to save everyone, and they want to save themselves.

Claremont is a brilliant scientist, and he is working to find a way to save the people of the Empire. He is making headway, but not much - it's slow going. It turns out that he's working with at least one hand tied behind his back, and it is only after the restraint is removed that he can come up with something that will save the entire Interdependency. Not all at once and not immediately, but it can happen.

The other character that I want to mention here, and one that became a fan favorite, is the vulgar, foul-mouth Lady (and we all use the term loosely) Kiva Lagos, who is not even the head of her own house but has somehow been put in charge of the House Nohamapetan financial assets (which believe me, comes in handy here) as well as being assigned to the Emperox's Executive Council. To say that she has more than a few enemies is an understatement.

So, in 308 pages (or 8 hours and 7 minutes, which is the way I consumed the novel), Scalzi manages to summarize what has gone before, continue the palace intrigue, deliver a terrific story, and give the reader a satisfying ending while managing to throw a few surprises in for good measure. And while Scalzi has tied up this story very nicely, there are threads out there that he has left dangling that he could write additional novels in the Interdependency universe, although if he does only time will tell.

As he did with the first two books in the series, Wil Wheaton narrates with his usual enthusiasm for the story and the characters. I can hear Scalzi's voice in Wheaton's narration, and there's no one I'd rather have reading Kiva's lines - Wheaton does it so well that it's hard to remember that everyone hated him as Wesley Crusher all those years ago. Beverly would not be happy hearing what is coming out of his mouth. Well, Kiva's mouth, anyway.

John Scalzi's "The Last Emperox" delivers a gripping finale to the Interdependency trilogy, weaving intricate political intrigue and dynamic character arcs into a rich tapestry of science fiction. As the last installment in the series, it bears the weight of tying up loose ends and satisfying the expectations set by its predecessors. While it largely succeeds in this endeavor, there are areas where it could have reached greater heights.

One of the most commendable aspects of "The Last Emperox" is its ability to maintain momentum and tension throughout the narrative. Scalzi skillfully navigates complex plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow the fate of the Interdependency. The stakes are high, and the sense of urgency propels the story forward with relentless momentum. From political machinations to daring escapes, the novel is replete with thrilling moments that showcase Scalzi's mastery of suspense.

Moreover, the characters continue to shine in this installment, with their growth and development serving as the emotional core of the story. From Emperox Grayland II's struggle to lead in the face of overwhelming odds to Kiva Lagos's unyielding wit and determination, each character feels fleshed out and multidimensional. Their interactions are a highlight, providing both moments of levity and profound insight into the human condition.

However, despite these strengths, "The Last Emperox" is not without its flaws. One area where it falls short is in its pacing, particularly in the middle portion of the novel. At times, the narrative bogs down under the weight of exposition, slowing the pace and disrupting the otherwise seamless flow of the story. While necessary for world-building, these exposition-heavy sections could have been integrated more smoothly into the narrative to maintain momentum.

Additionally, some subplots feel underdeveloped, leaving certain character arcs and plot threads feeling unresolved by the novel's conclusion. While Scalzi admirably juggles multiple storylines, there are moments where it feels like certain elements are given short shrift, leaving the reader wanting more closure or exploration.

In conclusion, "The Last Emperox" is a compelling conclusion to the Interdependency trilogy, offering a satisfying blend of political intrigue, gripping action, and well-drawn characters. While it may stumble occasionally in its pacing and resolution of subplots, it remains a worthy addition to Scalzi's body of work and a must-read for fans of epic science fiction.

First, let me just say that I've never read a John Scalzi novel that I didn't at least like. This trilogy is loved.

Second, this trilogy is fantastic. It's definitely going into my "To Be Re-read Pile".

OK. Now, on to my thoughts on this trilogy. Great characters and character arcs. All the plots and sub-plots tied into each other perfectly, and each novel had a definitive ending.

However, I will say that the pacing at the end of each novle seemed rushed to me. It felt like I was on the highway of the novel, driving 75 Mph, and suddenly, I was on the Atlanta Motor Speedway trying to reach the checkered flag in a car that I wasn't driving.

There were twists, surprises, and several "OMG" moments, humor, and fun. I wonder if Mr. Scalzi has plans for a 2nd trilogy regarding Marce's choice at the end. That would be pretty cool. IJS.

I have been a fan of Mr. Scalzi's work almost since the beginning of his career. This series represents a sea change for his body of work; he says this is the first time he has intentionally written a trilogy.

And ohh daddy, did he ever deliver. I appreciate the reach and depth of thinking here because it is head and shoulders above nearly any series I can think of. Excellent plot progression and character development.

I am not 100% certain I will re-read but I will certainly think about the lessons presented herein.

I have to admit book one is still my favorite. That was where the big ideas came from, naturally enough — the Flow, the Interdependency. There are some new developments here, and of course there’s the resolution. And it’s satisfying in a way that I can’t say without giving away too much.

Grayland, Marce, Nadashe, and Kiva are all still in the spotlight, each playing out the characters they have been from the start. Grayland and Marce are the good guys, Nadashe the bad guy, and Kiva, somewhere on her own course.

It won’t be giving away too much to say that the first emperox, Rachela, plays an increasingly important role as well.

The Interdependency is going to dissolve. That’s no secret, and it seems inevitable. The question is what to do about it. Given that the Interdependency had been built on undemocratic principles, with privileged lives for its nobility, we could expect some of what happens. Some at least of the nobility wants to prioritize their own fates and give little to no worry to what happens to everybody else.

The Interdependency, let’s remember is founded in corruption. While its structure does prevent any one guild or noble house from becoming too powerful, it guarantees wealth and privilege to all the houses. That’s the plan. We shouldn’t be surprised at corruption.

The collapse of the Flow threatens the viability of that plan. More than threatens it, dooms it.

So what’s next?

That’s the question behind the action in this book. Bound with the fate of the Interdependency are the fates of the main characters, to whom we have by now become attached, or not.

Obviously, I’m not giving any of the answers away.

I thought Scalzi may have telegraphed the ending about a third of the way through the book, but he threw a knuckleball. Not a curve, a knuckleball. Still, I felt like I knew something of the tone at least.

Scalzi is good, he definitely knows how to build and tell a story. This is entertainment. It’s not a life-changing reading experience, but that’s not what I was looking for. Just entertainment, and I got that.

I will say, because it’s hard not avoid thinking — the Trump years are going to be part of our conscience and consciousness for a long time. Scalzi notes its effect on him in his Acknowledgements. Given the themes of corruption, political conspiracies, etc. here, it’s hard not to look for some sort of catharsis in the story. I suspect he was doing the same.

About 60 years ago I read my first science fiction story “The Man Who Sold the Moon”. About 35 years ago I started to find I was reading less and less. To be as polite as possible, until recently I just could see nothing worth reading from the newer generation of writers. As an example, someone recommended China Mieville. The book was not terrible but I had to work at finishing it. About three years after that someone made the same suggestion and I had to read half way through before realizing I had recently read it before. I.e. it made zero impression on me - nada, nichts, meh, This has been my reaction to most present day science fiction writers. Then I picked up Scalzi - this is what science fiction was once. And at its best. I quickly read every other book of his I could find. Theodore Sturgeon one wrote: “ Ninety percent of everything is crap”. Scalzi is nine of the missing ten and I’m still looking for that one remaining point. Maybe it will be Scalzi’s next book.

Anyway this is about the entire trilogy. Apart from the writing and the story the fictional world world Scalzi created has originality. Sure there have been interstellar empires, ways to get around the speed of light and peculiar social structures but in this series they feel new and not just a a rehash of a rehash of ... Plus they make the story work, or rather the story seems/has to flow (no pun intended) from Scalzi’s universe. Its not just a proscenium on which to stage a space opera.

In my elderly opinion Scalzi is simply the greatest of all living science fiction writers.

Book One was fun. An interesting physical phenomenon idea about how to travel great distances in space, interesting engineering on how vast civilizations might live in space (vs planet surfaces), and characters whose respective personalities were fun.

Book two is where the intrigue got complicated. It’s always good to have a villain, a good guy, cowboys, AIs and love interests, all woven around some palace intrigue and a few shoot em ups.

By then, you’re invested in the story to see the end through. Not because the story is bringing any more things than book 2 did - intrigues, characters, betrayals, love.

And for me, I stayed with it by blasting as fast as I could flip pages until the end. And while the end was clever in its actual execution, it was … dare I say it: Predictable? By the time I was 85% of the way through book 3, I think I instinctively knew where all the characters would be at the end.

So, four stars for book 1, 3.5 for 2, and 3 for 3.

Looking forward to a 4th book??? :)

This technology concept would be interesting to explore more.

Well done. Enjoyed it all.

Book 3 was as good as the first two. My biggest complaint is that the story was too short. The book was over before I knew it. While the ending is not unpredictable, it is a satisfying conclusion to another enjoyable series from Scalzi.

This is the last installment of The Interdependency series and I absolutely loved the first 2 books. I devoured it in 3 days and was all over the place emotionally. The character arcs and growths are amazing and the description of the universe is fantastic. I will not add any spoilers but just know that I cried!

I hate the ending of the book. Not the ending of the story. Just that of the book and now I have to wait hoping Scalzi will return to this world.

Great characters, great plot and intrigue. Normally I read SciFi for the crash and bang of huge battles, but I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend the series to anyone.

As the established Flow streams near extinction, Emperox Cardenia/Grayland II, using work by Flow scientist/boyfriend Marce, is making tentative plans to save as much of civilisation as possible, partly aided by foul-mouthed Kiva Lagos, and hindered by cross-plotting Nadashe Nohamepetan.

The 3rd book in the Interdependency series brings the trilogy to a conclusion. And it's a worthy conclusion, with a plot which, while straightforward, often goes in unexpected directions, including several abrupt deaths (or are they really deaths?). All the characters are fun, the dialogue sparkles, and the sci-fi elements all work and are integral to the plot. I didn't want to finish this, I wanted more.

I recomment this series.

A series to savour with a plot twist ratio that’s matches the pages turned. Terrific ending and everyone gets their come-up-ances. (A new word in my personal lexicon) A must read series that truly puts the fun back in sci-fi.