The Praxis

The Dread Empire's Fall Trilogy, Book 1

By: Walter Jon Williams

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

“Space opera the way it ought to be.... Bujold and Weber, bend the knee; interstellar adventure has a new king, and his name is Walter Jon Williams.” (George R. R. Martin)

The first book in the completed Dread Empire’s Fall trilogy, followed by The Sundering and Conventions of War.

All will must bend to the perfect truth of the Praxis.

For millennia, the Shaa have subjugated the universe, forcing the myriad sentient races to bow to their joyless tyranny. But the Shaa will soon be no more. The Dread Empire is in its rapidly fading twilight, and with its impending fall comes the promise of a new galactic order...and bloody chaos.

A young Terran naval officer marked by his lowly birth, Lt. Gareth Martinez is the first to recognize the insidious plot of the Naxid - the powerful, warlike insectoid society that was enslaved before all others - to replace the masters’ despotic rule with their own. Barely escaping a swarming surprise attack, Martinez and Caroline Sula, a pilot whose beautiful face conceals a deadly secret, are now the last hope for freedom for every being who ever languished in Shaa chains - as the interstellar battle begins against a merciless foe whose only perfect truth is annihilation.

©2002 Walter Jon Williams (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing and Skyboat Media

Good, but somewhat slow paced

Lot of dialogue and character development, possibly to support two more books in the Praxis series. Of the Walter Jon Williams audio books I've listened to do far, Hardwired was slightly better, and The Rift was a masterpiece. I am looking forward to the next in this series (The Sundering) - I just hope WJW has taken advantage of the character development and can move along a little faster.

had sci-fi with unsentimental character studies and epicly choreographed space battles

the provincial officer who can think his was through any situation, whose talent and initiative would propel him forward, while his more direct attempts at advancement often get in his own way. we follow his thoughts as he solves very complicated astro-engineering problems, and also as he bumbles conversations with his obvious scheming.

the beautiful cadet with the dark and mysterious past. she could be one of two people that we learn about throughout the novel through flashbacks. two identical strangers who met and became entwined in each other's lives. before we know much of anything about them, we know that one ended up enlisting, and that she had to leave a friend's dead body behind to get there.

the crisis that introduces these two characters to each other is a good example of the how the rest of the novel progresses. complicated space maneuvering, realistic personalities and internal monologues, and a deliberately unsentimental resolution.

I don't know if I can say that I "like" either character - him because of his clumsy manipulations and seductions in the present, her because the past that led her here. but every flawed reasoning is laid out clearly in their heads, their poor choices make sense to them at the time, somehow seem like the right thing. I'm certainly rooting for them when it hits the fan, and I'm very eager to move on to the next novel in the series.

Antimatter missiles are OP.

Aliens and realism in point, but Sula's past gets boring. Still, I recommend it

An enjoyable if somewhat generic space opera.

The male main character starts off as an insecure bully but becomes more likable over time as he earns his own self-respect. The female main character seems OP to start but gets more interesting as we learn her backstory.

Really good sci-fi

Story was captivating and kept me listening. While some events were a bit unlikely nothing felt so unbelievable as to ruin the story.
The Roman empire esque theme intrigued me and I'll definitely listen to the other books in the series

Nothing ever happens

This audiobook is a slog. There is a war on, I guess……. But it’s buried behind a bunch of goop.

Good at first but bad in the end

The quality of the story and writing both fall off sharply in the latter half of the book, and the performance is only ok.

strong option to fill the expanses void

found this book on a list of "books like the expanse". I can't say its a series I'll finish but this title on its own is good. personally I need some more excitement. the stories and plights of futuristic lord's and ladies were only engaging for a short time.

Exactly what I wanted it to be. loved this book

I loved this book. I was somewhat skeptical about it but that was washed away soon after I started it and couldn't stop listening. I am a huge fan of Hardwired and loved seeing some of that dark character grit often seen in a cyberpunk story infused into a space opera. Stephan Rudnickis performance was also impeccable. The flashback narrative telling Suhlas story was amazing and was always a refreshing break from tone of the military sci-fi story of Martinez. I know my next audible credit will immediately be going to book two in this series. Walter Jon Williams style of storytelling is fast becoming an all time favorite of mine. WELL DONE SIR, WELL DONE!

good characters and interesting setting

This novel scratches the space opera itch. A galaxy-spanning and ancient imperial civilization. A class system of peerage and the follies of lineage over merit in determining status and station. Deeply flawed protagonist that you still find yourself cheering for. It's a fun read and I recommend it.