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)

Wow!

Probably the best narration of any book I've listened to. He was on point with every character including robots.

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.

LOVED IT!

This book was absolutely wonderful: totally absorbing, all kinds of stuff going on, great sci-fi and characters both. I didn't even know it was part of a series until after I went back to find other books by the same author. When I found two more installments, I was estatic! And both of those are just as good. Can't wait for book #4!

Slow start but eventually gets good

This one starts off fairly slow and you have to go through a couple hours of world/ universe building. Eventually it picks up and the story gets fairly good.

Long .. and this is only Book 1

This book is just about 20 hours. It moves slowly at times and jumps from "scene to scene". When something important does happen, it is well written and very well performed.

Be prepared to listen to lots of background before the story really gets moving.

Settles Into a Good Read

What did you like best about Hidden Empire: The Saga of Seven Suns, Book 1? What did you like least?

It took me a couple of times through several parts of the book at first in order to get it clear in my mind who all the characters and groups were in the story. I found myself frequently saying, "Now who is that? or Now who are they?" Maybe I was just distracted, but it seemed as if there are a lot of players to keep straight. However, after I got all that squared away in my mind, it was a good book.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Guidall did a good job as always.

Any additional comments?

This book is not on my all time favorites list, but still not a bad listen.

In a delimma!

I loved this book and the performance was beyond outstanding. Unfortunately, in book 4 the narrator changes due to the audiobook being transferred from one company to another. All the reviews state the narrator is a horrible replacement and the company did not even contact the Author for advice. The names are pronounced wrong, and the narrator does not have as much depth.This is causing me great heartache. I am now contemplating not finishing this series even though this one ended with such mystery and excitement. If you listen to this, at least you are informed going into it.

not bad

pretty good. there are some frustrating moments you see from a mile away and the character still hasn't noticed. some of the terminology is unimaginative. and surprising little depth considering the scope of the world. though it starts somewhat slow, it builds some pretty good momentum. great story. I'll start the next book and see if it gets even better

Ok

I just couldn't get into this book. I can't really explain why but it just didn't do it for me. Being the first book in a long series maybe it just spent too much time developing the large number of characters. Perhaps I'm just simple but I prefer a story told in the first person by one character not a half dozen stories told by as many characters.