The Veiled Masters (Dramatized Adaptation)

Twilight Imperium, Book 3

By: Tim Pratt

Narrated by: Andy Brownstein, David Jourdan, Dylan Lynch, Holly Adams, Ken Jackson, Lise Bruneau, Elias Khalil, Kaylee Eluvian, Alyssa Keegan, Ryan Haugen, Julie-Ann Elliot

The galaxy stands on the brink of war, yet hope remains that the vast web of schemes can be exposed before it’s too late, in this astounding space opera from the acclaimed game, Twilight Imperium

The balance of power is shifting, with bold new alliances, unknown invaders, and the rumored return of the galaxy’s ancient masters. When black-ops spy Amina Azad saves a Hacan ambassador from assassination, she draws him into her investigation of a vast conspiracy: unseen forces are destabilizing the whole galaxy, at the worst possible time. Pursued by agents from dozens of other factions, they can only make progress by allying with their apparent enemies. But even they might be compromised–duped into action by a secret puppet-master. How can they trust an alliance when they can’t trust themselves?

Performed by Ken Jackson, Alyssa Keegan, Elias Khalil, Ryan Haugen, Julie-Ann Elliot, Andy Brownstein, Dylan Lynch, Holly Adams, David Jourdan. Lise Bruneau, Kaylee Eluvian, Zeke Alton, Lydia Kraniotis, Lily Beacon, Eva Wilhelm, Tia Shearer, Peter Holdway, Laura Harris, Megan Hastie, Karen Novak, Terence Aselford. Richard Rohan, Jeri Marshall, Nanette Savard, Steve Wannall, James Konicek, Eric Messner, Karen Novack, Bradley Smith, Scott McCormick and Michael John Casey.

©2022 Fantasy Flight Games. (P)2023 Graphic Audio LLC

Could have been great

This book was mildly boring, without the complex worldbuilding or sense of wonder or quirkiness or interpersonal conflict of the first two. In fact, It mostly serves to make the first book look much better in hindsight. I really did like the second one, though.

Along with a couple of new characters, the crew from the first book returns, but they're even more undeveloped. This author seems to excel at creating characters with rich backstories and interesting personalities, and then not knowing what to do with them. Everyone is too busy driving the predictable plot forward to have more than cursory exchanges of banter.

This is the fourth book by Tim Pratt that I have read, and the third in this series. I think he's published about fifteen. I have the impression he could be a great writer, if he weren't focused on being a prolific one. He has a strong voice, combining humor and empathy. He creates imaginative characters and rich settings. But his devotion to the formulae of franchise and serialized adventure prevent him from taking the time to explore. All too often, he breaks the rule of "show don't tell," because he really wants you to know how complex his characters are, how creative the macguffin they're chasing, but he also has to get to the next fight scene or daring escape.

And yet. I'll probably read a fifth at some point. Pratt really does seem to have a lot of potential. And the worlds he imagines are exactly the worlds I want to explore. I just wish he would spend more time exploring them and less time rushing headlong through them.

While the novel isn't great, the dramatization is. The voice acting, fx and direction are high quality throughout the series, and the audio engineering improves over time. The music is nothing special, but it matches the tone much better than in the first volume. And the levels are much more balanced, so the background music doesn't intrude into the foreground.

The best book yet in the series

A tale of multi-species\nations operatives and diplomats come together to fight unknown conspiracy. The plot has great momentum that pulls the reader along. Of the three novels in the series this is my favorite. The author does a good job of building upon the characters and nations that he’s already established in the past books. A great read if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted thriller with good pacing in a interesting sci-fi world.