The Consuming Fire

The Interdependency, Book 2

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

"Wil Wheaton narrates this space opera full of political intrigue and charismatic characters. The young Emperox Grayland II does not have an easy task ahead. The Interdependency is in jeopardy due to the collapse of various planets in the empire. Powerful families are looking out for their own interests, even if that means killing their enemies and threatening the empire. Wheaton delivers an expressive narration using a humorous tone when needed and employing his acting talent to bring the characters to life. This audiobook is a treat not only for Wheaton's fans but also for anyone who is into well-written science fiction." (AudioFile magazine)

The Consuming Fire - the sequel to the 2018 Hugo Award Best Novel finalist and 2018 Locus Award-winning The Collapsing Empire - an epic space-opera novel in the best-selling Interdependency series, from the Hugo Award-winning and New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi.

The Interdependency, humanity’s interstellar empire, is on the verge of collapse. The Flow, the extra-dimensional conduit that makes travel between the stars possible, is disappearing, leaving entire star systems stranded. When it goes, human civilization may go with it - unless desperate measures can be taken.

Emperox Grayland II, the leader of the Interdependency, is ready to take those measures to help ensure the survival of billions. But nothing is ever that easy. Arrayed before her are those who believe the collapse of the Flow is a myth - or at the very least, an opportunity that can allow them to ascend to power.

While Grayland prepares for disaster, others are preparing for a civil war, a war that will take place in the halls of power, the markets of business and the altars of worship as much as it will take place between spaceships and battlefields. The Emperox and her allies are smart and resourceful, but then so are her enemies. Nothing about this power struggle will be simple or easy...and all of humanity will be caught in its widening gyre.

The Interdependency series:

1. The Collapsing Empire
2. The Consuming Fire

©2018 John Scalzi (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Loved it but too short! High Fantasy spoiled me!

I really enjoyed this installment. Great world building as you would come to expect from Scalzi. My one complaint is that after listening to Dune, The Sword of Truth and Malazan Book of the Fallen, I've become used to 34-40h epics per entry so this took about a day to get through. no Fault of the author, just wish I had more.

fantastic performance by the narrator.

good not great

I always enjoy scalzi but this book was way to short for the wait and was way to focused on just the empero . usually the author has 1 or 2 storylines going at once but not this time he seemed like he really slimmed this down I feel like this was actually a short story out of the collapsed storyline then the 2nd installment

More adventure in the Interdependency

The Empire of the Interdependency is going to collapse, because the Flow network that allows travel among its 47 star systems is collapsing. Emperox Grayland II, a.k.a. Cardenia Wu-Patrick, is determined to save as much of humanity as possible--though it seems that might be a very tiny percentage. In all the 47 systems of the Interdependency, only one planet, End, can support human life living unprotected on its surface.

Unfortunately, of the leadership, both political and commercial, of the Interdependency doesn't believe that the Flow network is collapsing. Even with the Flow from End having already closed, no one wants to believe it. End, after all, is just a minor backwater...

Grayland is working with the allies she does have, including Flow physicist Lord Marce Claremont, some of her staff, the computer-stored avatars of her predecessors, some leaders of the Church of the Interdependency, of which she is the nominal head, and even some among the Interdependency military and more foresighted or open-minded members of the Great Houses.

In this second volume, Grayland and her allies are encountering unexpected changes, developments they did not anticipate, and even some startling discoveries about the history of pre-Interdependency humanity. This fictional universe grows more complex, detailed, and lived-in.

I like these characters. The pace moves, and the plot is involving and draws me in. Wil Wheaton is once again the narrator of the audiobook, and as always does an excellent job.

Highly recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

Pure Scalzi

Spectacular fucking Hugo worthy masterpiece. Where is the button to preorder the next book? Please and thank you.

Great listen

The combo of Scalzi and Wheaton does not disappoint. Story got off to a bit of a slow start, and compared to the first book a lot less action is packed in, but a very fun and satisfying ride. Narration is fantastic, especially Lady Kiva, he brings her awesome character to life. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I wish Amber Benson had recorded this

Wheaton does a great job on this series, but I wish Amber Benson had been an option like she is for Scalzi's other series. I like Wheaton, but I think Benson would have been a better choice for this material.

a sci-fi series that let's humans be human

despite technological advancement, the characters of the consuming fire are human in just the right way. they have their flaws, their ambitions and they make decisions based of feelings as much as on facts. This makes for an interesting political intrigue and a captivating story.

really enjoyed it

I've never heard Wil Wheaton narrate a novel before and I quite enjoyed his performance here.

Worth the Credit

This novel is worth the credit. From it we learn that in the far, far future – in the galactic empire – the government is surprisingly like the English government of 300 years ago: lots of lords and ladies who hate each other. The ruling elite in the future seems to like nothing better than plotting (and actualizing) the killing of each other. For power. Oh, and the standard dialect of the future is snark. Also, in the far, far, future, most heroes are women, except for one boy-toy. So if you are into listening to Upstairs Downstairs with space ships, this is the book for you. The climax is satisfying and the epilogue interesting.

One downer involves the audio production: About 30 seconds from the end, while important dialogue is occurring, music surges. The music overpowers the narration. I couldn’t understand the last sentence because of the loud background music. Later, I played the last few seconds through my ear buds in a quiet room. Straining, I was able to make out what was said. It turns out this last sentence is important to the story. Why Audible lets these sorts of gaffs be published is beyond me.

wow, what a story!

What a fantastic book! it's nothing short of a literary thrill ride! I can't recommend enough without spilling details so honestly, if you like good books, get this one!