Books › Hidden Empires
Hidden Empires
720 pages
A sweeping, multi-faction space opera where humanity's arrogant expansion awakens an ancient, apocalyptic threat.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like standing at the edge of a vast, uncharted galaxy and realizing something massive is staring back. It delivers the classic, sprawling satisfaction of a multi-faction space opera, weaving together political intrigue, ancient alien mysteries, and explosive cosmic warfare. The prose is cinematic and accessible, designed to keep the pages turning as the perspective shifts across a massive cast of humans, alien monarchs, and rogue archaeologists. The mood shifts from the optimistic thrill of discovery to a tense, ominous dread as humanity's hubris triggers an apocalyptic conflict. It is a perfect fit for readers who crave grandiose world-building, escalating galactic stakes, and the sheer awe of a universe much older and more dangerous than humanity ever imagined.
- Mood
- awe-inspiring
- tense
- grandiose
- ominous
- Tone
- epic
- earnest
- dramatic
- expansive
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- hubris of humanity · clash of civilizations · ancient mysteries · unintended consequences · cosmic insignificance
- The writing
- Accessible and cinematic, prioritizing sweeping vistas and rapid perspective shifts over intricate wordplay.
- The arc
- Begins with optimistic exploration and political maneuvering, escalating into overwhelming cosmic dread and desperate survival.
- Who it's for
- Fans of sprawling, multi-faction space operas who love discovering ancient alien artifacts and watching massive galactic conflicts unfold.
Content notes
- sci-fi violence
- planetary destruction
- xenophobia
About the book
In our galaxy's distant future, humans are one of three known intelligent races. Having had the ability to navigate star travel for only a few centuries, we are considered "the new kids on the block" in a long-established universe. The second intelligent race is the Ildirans, who are ruled by their Mage-Imperator; and the third race, the Klikiss, seems to have vanished and left behind a world full of artifacts and remarkable technology, which humans are now beginning to find and utilize. One such piece of technology is a device that has the power to turn a gaseous and useless supergiant planet into a small sun, thereby creating a new solar system in which humans can live. But when the device is tried for the first time, it awakens the wrath of a previously unsuspected fourth race, the Hydrogues -- and a galaxy-spanning war that threatens all life begins.
Description from Open Library.
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