It had been a long time since I read science fiction, but I decided to expand my reading to new genres and picked up Empire (In Her Name: Redemption, #1) by Michael R. Hicks. I found it to be a wonderful blend of epic fantasy and sci fi.So read it, loved it, and immediately bought Confederation, and Final Battle.Michael Hicks created the world of Earth after it had taken to space, having built far-flung, loose colonies that behaved similar to our own nations here on Earth - mistrusting, not necessarily ready to help or support one another, and having fierce differences of opinion.Humans were not sure they were the only sentient species in the universe and had not given up looking.I love the characters, which Michael Hicks is a master at creating, a massive number of them as the series progressed, and some wonderful key players such Ichiro Sato.But the best characters in the series were among the Kreelans, a society whose ideals were so foreign that it was easy to hate them. And yet, the author managed, at a point, to gain my understanding for them and even empathy. Imagine a society of female warriors, whose lives were totally dedicated to battle. And they were so skilled at war that there was no one left anywhere to conquer - they have taken on every sentient society they found and annihilated them.To die in battle was the ultimate glory to the Empress. So they fought and were happy to die in her name. Until they found the humans, they had the problem of having no more wars to win. So this war-like society was excited to have a new game of war to play with what they felt were somewhat worthy opponents. Even though the humans were Neanderthals when it came to technology. Nor did they have their powerful magical skills. So the Kreelans had to use ancient technology to even the odds. Because if the win was easy, it was not honorable.You ask, were there only females in this strange society? Well, no. But to tell you about that would be a spoiler.So we had a clash of two completely different societies - the Kreelans who had terrible powers, and who did not find killing immoral, and the humans who found killing abhorrent but a necessary evil of war - a war in which they were powerless to win.I was riveted to the entire exciting series. I really enjoyed the first book of the series - giving it my highest praise for a "pulp" book - meaning that it really held my attention during a workout! I was prepared to be let down by this book, but what a surprise! It was terrific.At first I was bummed because I didn't want to have to get to know new characters, but they were easy to get to know and well developed. The plot kicked along and yes, it kept me very entertained and distracted on the elliptical. I am looking forward to book 3.
What do You think about Confederation (2009)?
3.5Just realized I read book 2 first... That may explain all the weird lose ends.
—Chyna
Flat characters ruined this book for me after a decent first book.
—drew
I have read all in this series and enjoyed them all.
—Heena
