Empire: The Empire Duet, Part 1

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Orson Scott Card is a master storyteller who has earned millions of fans and reams of praise for his previous science-fiction and fantasy works. Now he steps a little closer to the present day with this chilling look at a near-future scenario: a new American Civil War.

The American Empire has grown too fast, and the fault lines at home are stressed to the breaking point. The war of words between Right and Left has collapsed into a shooting war, though most people just want to be left alone.

The battle rages between the high-technology weapons on one side and militia foot-soldiers on the other, devastating the cities and overrunning the countryside. But the vast majority, who only want the killing to stop and the nation to return to more peaceful days, have technology, weapons, and strategic geniuses of their own.

When the American dream shatters into violence, who can hold the people and the government together? And which side will you be on?

©2006 Orson Scott Card (P)2006 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"Couldn't be timelier...heartfelt and sobering....All the action doesn't obscure the author's message about the dangers of extreme political polarization and the need to reassert moderation and mutual citizenship...it drives it home." (Booklist)

Great Premise, Fair Delivery

This is kind of like a politically-oriented Crichton novel, just not as well thought out or written. I like the premise of a "new civil war", but it's execution is fair at best. Many of the characters are stereotypes -- and cardboard ones at that -- and there are holes in the plot large enough to drive a few "mechs" through. (Read the book and you'll get the reference>)

That said, I still basically enjoyed to book. The plot moves along fairly quickly, some of the stereotypes are spot on, and Card does make one really consider the impact of overheated political rhetoric.

Could have been exceptional

I really appreciate the works of this author and when I started this book it sounded like it was going to be one of his best ever. I actually listened to the entire book in two sittings. The ending of the book really fell off. It almost seems like the author just wanted to be done with it so he wrapped up too many loose ends with some rather simplistic conclusions.

Even though the ending kind of let me down-I would still recommend it as a listen that is as good as most. But for this author-it could have been so much more. There was one real shocker with the demise of one of the characters-I won't spoil if for you but it comes as a real suprise.

Red State vs. Blue State-> Benevolent Dicatator?

Orson Scott Card does nothing if he doesn't thoroughly analyze a topic through his novels. Some may be pure fiction, such as time travel analyzed in Pathfinder and Ruins, stand-ins for the non-fictional such as the Ender series where he analyzes hatred of and hostility towards those who are different (Ender's Game), then dealing with the consequences of how you treat those who are "other", alien or different than you. In Empire and Hidden Empire, Mr. Card reflects on the political chasm of those who are conservative and those who are liberal (red state vs. blue state), a civil war that results from the chasm and a potential leader who views the only solution to that and other global problems is to become a benevolent dictator, albeit one who keeps the form of democracy.

As is my typical practices, I went between the Kindle and Audible versions of Empire but the Audible version only of Hidden Empire. Mr. Card provides the narrative introduction to each chapter while Stefan Rudnicki narrates the core of the story. Mr. Rudnicki is a consummate narrator and he brings his golden voice, deft pacing and perfect inflections to bear on these stories. He ranges from a Southern soldier and an eastern-seaboard house wives / political wonk to an Hispanic soldier and a Nigerian boy; now that's range. An amazing job, as always. Rusty Humphries joins the narration effort in Hidden Empire and does fine job essentially playing himself. If you enjoy audio books, you'll like this version.

For full review: http://wp.me/p2XCwQ-Yu

A Riveting Read

Don't pay attention to the reviews telling you this is too preachy---this guy knows exactly what he is talking about and hammers home the concept in a way that is respectful towards the men and women who spend their lives protecting this country. This is an awesome read, a topic that certainly is plausible in today's ridiculous climate of nasty political division and it made me want to cry. I found it difficult to turn off when I needed to. Great job by the reader as well. I have listened to many of his narrations and he is fantastic. He has read many of OSC's books as well as the Prince Roger MacClintock series by David Weber and John Ringo and as far as I'm concerned he can read any military action book and turn it into an enjoyment.

Not Ender...and not just Card

I have read many Card Ender, Bean, Memory of Earth, even his non-fiction helps for budding authors. This was initially a very divergent tale from most as I started the book. As the story unfolded the true Card came out. Characters with depth, relationships, histories....even unfollowed paths that do not show as obvious. Further into the book it does become a little obvious that the conception of the tale was not his own, and others were helping weave the tale though. The pace is quite good for the book. As it progresses through the last third some scenes become obvious, and the entire premise of Red vs Blue seems to be very CNN-Fox like in their marketing.

For the entire book what was most interesting to me was Card's commentary in the afterward. Even though it is obvious Card is on the conservative side of the political spectrum, he does admit it causes a bias on his part. He chastises both right and left, Democrat and Republican, conservative and liberal in his warnings of the devisive nature or our current political climate. The only item I wish he would have stressed a little more is the press's roll in the escalation on both sides.

Powerful - MUST READ!

This was fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Orson Scott Card is a gifted writer and it really shows in this awesome book!

interesting premise but some uniteresting dialogue

the actual idea and premise of the book is very interesting and I'd love for there to be other books that explore this topic more even if not in this particular universe. the issues that I have with the book is that it gets lost in the dialogue that often times doesn't build characters aren't helpful in advancing the plot and altogether just uninteresting. this is a large part of what I think is keeping this story from being as tight and cohesive as it could be

Orson Scott Card is always a great author

What made the experience of listening to Empire: The Empire Duet, Part 1 the most enjoyable?

Orson Scott Card is always a great read. He has never let me down.

Engaging story and frighteningly possible

I enjoyed listening to the book it started a little slow but definitely kept me engaged after about the third chapter. it is a little frightening how plausible the book is. once again one of the aspects I find most fascinating about OSC's books are his prologue or prelog to the book. I love hearing his thoughts that went into the book.

Riveting realistic tale -- make you think!

Where does Empire: The Empire Duet, Part 1 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think of the books I listen to in terms of: great; okay and unfortunate. This book falls in the great category. It is an engaging mixture of politics, science fiction and thriller moments.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the character Cecce very much. She is a fabulously well rounded character. Card, does a great job making you care for all his characters -- even the anti-hero; this draws you in hoping things go one way, getting it another way and then watch it play out in a third way.

What does Stefan Rudnicki bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His deep baratone voice adds just the right level of thriss and mystery to this audiobook.