The Empyrean

By: Katherine Franklin

Narrated by: James Alper

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Emotion is a weapon. Harnessing its power could destroy worlds.

Palia’s emotions are in turmoil. After watching her son succumb to Empyrean fire, she barely escapes the same fate. Guilt-ridden and alone, she will not stop until his killer is brought to justice.

The Protectorate forbids Ferrash to have emotions. That suits him, since he cannot avoid the people who control the Empyrean. Making this sacrifice prevents them from hijacking his feelings and using them as a weapon against him.

When Ferrash spots Palia’s ship venting atmosphere, he is forced to save her. Having an enemy from the Hegemony on board could see him accused of treason. But when the Empyrean reveals its potential as a destroyer of worlds and Palia’s link to it, Ferrash knows he can’t let her leave.

With billions at risk of succumbing to the Empyrean weapon, can the enemies join forces and prevent the same fate that killed Palia’s son?

The Empyrean is the first book in the Galaxy of Exiles series, a science-fiction space opera about a galaxy under the pall of weaponized emotions. Immerse yourself in a detailed universe of heroes, villains, and more. If you like thrilling futuristic action, you'll love this.

©2022 Katherine Franklin (P)2023 Katherine Franklin

space opera where emotions can be used as weapons

The high point of The Empyrean it was the idea itself. Emotions can be used as a weapon and there's some kind of conflict between two factions in the book's known universe. It opened with this huge planetary explosion so I had high hopes for the plot and action throughout.

Overall I think there were a lot of good ideas and excellent imagery. What fell flat for me was the mystery building up throughout the story, I don't think that the author really delivered on " the big secret " involving Ferrash, and Bek was just left out of it.

I also wasn't really believing the romantic part, it felt more like a proximity attraction then a love bond. as I said, there were a lot of really good ideas here but I just don't think that it fully delivered and the ending just fell away instead of making me interested in the next book

the audio narrator was very legible and it's well produced for an indie. I wish he would have done a little more variation especially with the female voices but overall it was a good listening experience

Intense Space Opera Adventure

Watching her son fall victim to Empyrean fire and barely escaping the same fate, Palia seeks justice. Ferrash is an emotionless man and soldier of sorts to The Protectorate. Ferrash rescues Palia but not without doubt as Palia is seen more as an enemy. Ferrash discovers the Empyrean potential to destroy more worlds and knows they must act now or suffer the same death via Empyrean fire.

The author, Katherine Franklin carefully builds a world of unique aliens and beings with a penchant for war and deadly encounters. A world where emotions are used as weapons of destruction. A complex story that is well-written with strong characters. The plot twists are unexpected as are the relationships built. Franklin keeps the story well-balanced and straight-forward moving.

The narrator, James Alper, provides listeners with unique voices for each character, a rich tone, and hours of entertainment. His delivery is smooth and steady. I enjoy hearing James Alper perform, he draws the listener in and keeps them in the moment.

I found this book to be enjoyable, intense at times, but definitely riveting. I further enjoyed Franklin’s writing style and Alper’s performance. A definite must-hear for anyone who enjoys sci-fi, space opera, and adventure.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook, it was well done.

Space Opera Hidden Gem

This was such a fun sci fi story that blends together so many of my favourite space opera tropes while still managing to feel fresh. I have seen most of these elements before, yet I found myself glued to this story.

This book hit so many of the beats I look for in my science fiction. The characters were likeable. The plot was intriguing with enough suspense. The worldbuilding was a touch hard to follow in places, but that could have been a factor of listening rather than physically reading it.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for an entertaining underhyped space opera.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this audiobook from the author for review. I thought the audiobook version was very well done, other than strangely long pauses between chapters. The narrator's voice reminded me of Jefferson Mays, who does the Expanse, with a touch of Simon Vance in places.

I'm so in love with Bek.

The concept of this universe-the ability to weaponize emotions-leads to some interesting characterization. One society takes advantage of this power, another sedates their citizenry to eliminate all emotion. For its not just an Empyrean's emotions that can be used, but those around them. At the surface, this is a really cool mechanism, and lends itself to some interesting introspection on the value of emotion itself. There are some lovely explorations of the value or harm in releasing or suppressing emotions. How those choices or lack of choices reflect on the characters and their development over the course of the book got me rooting for the team before long.

I absolutely love the character of Bek. He exhibits this internal contradiction of being the least human of the three main characters, but the one with the most humanity. And the accent the narrator gives him is brilliant. The relationship between him and Palia felt more believable than the relationship between Ferrash and Palia, but without giving too much away, what happens to them all in the end really mustered my...emotions.

The book ends on a major cliffhanger, which makes it basically unreadable as a standalone. You've been warned. Though there were some slow parts, I'm into it enough to check out the 2nd installment, which hasn't been written yet. Mostly, I just want to listen to the narrator's voicing of Bek and his exploits some more. He can fly my spaceship anytime.

The harrowing gift to destroy an alien world

Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Beautifully narrated by James Alper, The Empyrean is an immersive science fiction mystery that begins with the breathtaking destruction of the world called Everatus IV and the escape of a mysterious woman named Palia. Rescued by Bek and Ferrash, they find themselves plunged into a labyrinthine adventure to unravel why Everatus IV had to burn while at the mercy of the complex cultures and agendas of the Hegemony and the Protectorate. Wickedly brilliant with alien creatures that are both intriguing and frightening at the same time and deeply poignant, especially for what Palia endures, as she possesses the hauntingly dangerous ability of being empyrric and yet this gift creates a much needed bond with Bek and Ferrash to survive. Highly recommended.