The Risen Empire (Succession)

About this book

From the acclaimed author of Fine Prey Polymorph and Evolutions Darling (Philip K. Dick Award special citation and a New York Times Notable Book) comes a sweeping epic The Risen Empire Scott Westerfelds dazzling hardcover debut. The undead Emperor ruled his mighty interstellar empire of eighty human worlds for sixteen hundred years. Because he can grant a form of eternal life creating an elite known as the Risen his power has been absolute. He and his sister the Child Empress who is eternally a little girl are worshipped as living gods. No one could touch them. Not until the Rix machine-augmented humans who worship very different gods: AI compound minds of planetary extent. The Rix are cool relentless fanatics and their only goal is to propagate such AIs throughout the galaxy. They seek to end by any means necessary the Emperors prolonged tyranny of one and supplant it with an eternal cybernetic dynasty of their own. They begin by taking the Child Empress hostage. Captain Laurent Zai of the Imperial Frigate Lynx is tasked with her rescue. Separated by light years bound by an unlikely love Zai and pacifist Senator Nara Oxham must each in their own way face the challenge of the Rix as they hold the fate of the empire in their hands. The Risen Empire is the first great space opera of the 21st century.