Hidden Empire: The Saga of Seven Suns, Book 1

By: Kevin J. Anderson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 20 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

An explosive new science fiction series by New York Times best-selling author Kevin J. Anderson, Hidden Empire is the first volume in The Saga of the Seven Suns, modeled after the Star Wars and X-Files universes. Anderson has become the foremost science fiction writer of the century, bringing to life vivid characters and worlds that delight his fans across the galaxy.

The Klikiss, a now-extinct alien civilization, left behind vast technological information that has been discovered by two xenoarchaeologists. One discovery, a device that converts gas planets into life-giving suns is quickly put to the test with unimaginable results. Arising out of the test is a new alien species that threatens every human. Mankind is left with the dim reality, either fight the new alien life form or face humiliation, death, and extinction.

This riveting adventure swings you from one wonderous realm to another as the Hidden Empire is sought after and exposed. Anderson has created a gripping beginning to what will surely be his best series yet. George Guidall has returned a stellar performance and brought these characters to life in vivid detail.

Don't miss a minute of the action in Kevin J. Anderson's Saga of Seven Suns.

©2002 WorldFire, Inc. (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"In this stellar launch of a new series, bestseller Anderson...delivers action, engaging characters, and credible fantastic worlds." (Publishers Weekly)
"Full of battles, chases, and hairbreadth escapes...this is also an intelligently conceived and executed nailbiter." (Booklist)
"Anderson's skill in delivering taut action scenes and creating well-rounded human and alien characters adds depth and variety to a series opener that belongs in most sf collections." (Library Journal)

Just as good as everyone said it was!

This is a fantastic first book that continues on. As I was warned, there is quite a bit of character development but it is all worth listening to!

A good listen

I hesitated to get this book after reading the reviews about it being slow paced or it being difficult to keep up with all the characters but now I'm pleased I did. It's true that the plot reminds me of Sheffield's Heritage series but the way it's told makes a big enough difference. I also like the way that characters get killed off. Often in books a character that dies is only partially formed in the story - here there was no inkling about who was to go! The narrator's not bad either!
All in all, classic science fiction.

Extra-Large Hyperion, Light, No Sugar

If you could sum up Hidden Empire: The Saga of Seven Suns, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

This series could have been tightened up to three or four volumes and would have been much improved for it. Each of the hundred plus chapters in each book is about 50% review of what has come before. There are many characters with apparently unrelated separate story lines, so some review may be warranted, but it mostly grated on me. Perhaps because each chapter advances the story by the merest increment.

Why there are so many Hyperion referents in this saga? I wouldn't compare the two if it weren't for that: The story arcs are not similar, but it is as if the author were trying to create a cantos to rival Hyperion. If so, goal not achieved. The saga kept my interest, but the writing does not compare.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Fewer words spent on review and re-review. Less frequent switching between characters.

Excellent, well written, LOOOONG, read!

Any additional comments?

To start off, this is not as technical of a sci-fi series as I like. Nothing like Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet Series. There are enormous battles, but they aren't portrayed as large and on such a epic space scale as they could be.On that note, this is a very good, well written read. Very long at 20 hours a book, after book 4 I would probably go 1.25 scale on the reader speed. The narrator switches after book 3 I think. Hang in there, you will hate it at first, by book 5 you wont even notice. It will seem very slow, but if I remember correctly at book 5 it gets retarded! And by that I mean, awesome. Stuff starts coming together and the action really gets poured on. It all ends very well, and if there were 7 more books I would gladly read them as well. But I am looking forward to some more technical sci-fi. There is a book .5, I am glad I waited till the end of all the other books, it would probably ruin some stuff if you read that one first. All in all these books were probably written more for normal sci-fi reader who likes a good story, and doesn't have the need for technical detail, weapons and the like. If you need some of that, Jack Campbells series, or any of the Hammers Slammers books.

Great story!!

Even though I've read this book and the series before...I'm listening to the audio version and love it

A slog...

There was a cool idea here. But this book could have been cut in half. It was a slog. With forgettable characters. This feels like a setup for future books. ill buy other books if they're on sale.

I always enjoy Guidall's readings.

Listening to a documentary

The performance is dull. The story is good, predictable, but good. Will continue the series, hopeful they find new talent.

Really good Narrating

Book is rather long winded.
Concepts and story lines are excellent.
If you loved lord of the rings and how that’s drawn out, this is the space version and perfect for you.

Good choice overall. Bit slow, needs more action.

Anderson spends to much time on the charactors and thier lives rather than on the main story line, which makes the book a bit slow and lacking in action. But overall it's a good story, and a good listen. I anticipate that the second book in the series {which is currently available on Audible} will be more action packed, since the charactors have been so thoroughly covered in this book.
George Guidall is one of the best Readers of audio books there is, so have no worries over how this book will sound.
P.S. It seems to me that over the past 15 years or so, Editors have become extreamly lazy. I blame the Editor of this book rather than the author, for any of it's short comings. A good editor would have told Anderson, " Shut Up about the charactors already and get on with the story".

Ok if you needed something long

Not bad, not terrific either. I would listen to it (or buy the next in the series) only if I got it on sale and/or I needed something to listen to that didn't require 100% concentration on a long drive. You can wander off daydreaming and come back a couple minutes later and you wouldn't have missed anything important.

The novel is more descriptive than action-packed. The concepts are interesting, but there's not much engagement - i.e. a space station blows up and everyone dies, but you won't really "feel" anything about this event because it was only described to you, it didn't engage you.

The narrator is ok. He speaks clearly and you can usually tell who's talking from the tone; there's not much "dramatization" of events/voices. He's nothing to write home about though.

If you want action Sci-fi and are ok with "adult" material, try Richard Morgan. If you want descriptive and yet engaging scifi, try Card's Worthing Saga. If you want a long scifi that is similar in tone to this and yet much more involving, try Acacia. If you want a soap opera type scifi with lots of character focus, try Spin. If you just want some cheap 'n easy soap opera scifi, try Earthsearch.