It’s Star Wars Day, which times out nicely as my new post schedule is for Saturdays.
Although you could be asking why a fantasy writer is talking about a science fiction franchise.
I’m talking about it here because Star Wars is most often considered to be Science Fantasy these days, with its Force and other mystical themes.
There’s a lot of Star Wars Day things happening in my city, including multiple viewings of the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope, up on the big screen. And LEGO seems to be cashing in on the day, too. 🙂
Speaking of science fantasy, I’m currently reading the extremely long book 1 of Christopher Ruocchio’s Sollan Empire series, Empire of Silence. The series is also called The Sun Eaters.
The book is interesting and very well written, but the pacing is so glacial you’re in danger of frostbite. If you can stand the enormously leisurely pace, which I’m only just managing to do, then you’ll love the worldbuilding and the feel of the story.
From the very beginning, I’ve felt like I’m reading a faint echo of Dune. Empire of Silence has all the same hallmarks; patrician families as the powerholders, references to family atomics, sword fighting and personal body shields, a religious class with way too much political power, family dinners where political in-fighting is barely disguised, and lots of history to plumb as you go along.
But the story does eventually find its own groove. I’m about 60% the way through and hoping that the pace picks up for the end. At the moment, I’m not sure if I’ll commit to the hours I’d need to read the next book. How this one finishes will help me make up my mind.
There is a lot of hype about this series, as book #6 came out recently, plus there are many novellas and side-stories attached to the series.
If you’ve read it, what did you think of it?
Happy Star Wars Day!
Taylen