Book Review: Eyes of Empire by J.C.M. Berne
Genre(s): Science Fiction / Space Opera
Book Synopsis:
A baby dreadnought is terrorizing two star systems.
A new wormhole has been opened, a new planetary system revealed, populated by a strange and impossible race.
A mad god is on the loose.
The il’Drach have destroyed an entire planet, and are on their way to Wistful.
Rohan just wants a peaceful day of work and a decent cup of coffee.
But if he doesn’t handle the dangers facing his friends, his system, and his sector of the galaxy, who will?
And if he DOES . . . what price will he pay?
Review:
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, because this series has been amazing so far. And it did not disappoint.
In typical fashion, Rohan finds himself in the middle of multiple crises at once. He has always been willing to help those who ask him to, even when it means setting everything else aside or risking serious injury. I think what makes Rohan such a great character is that, despite his power and his rage-filled curse, he tries really hard to do what’s right every single time. Yes, he makes mistakes from time to time, but his heart’s in the right place. And he goes about every one of his missions with a sense of humor that few others could manage, given the circumstances.
There are plenty of memorable and fun side characters, but Rohan is why I keep reading this series. In Eyes of Empire, he matures a bit more, and I think we’ve finally had a real glimpse of the leader he’ll one day become.
Many of Rohan’s friends make a return in this book, but he meets some new ones too. The feline Il’Zkin were an interesting addition to the story. With no advanced technology to speak of, they live by a strict law that helps them survive the natural dangers of their world, yet was also set into place due to a specific set of circumstances that you’ll have to read the series to understand. Let’s just say, the law is important, even if the Il’Zkin don’t understand why. Unraveling that mystery is a big part of this book’s story line. Katya, one of the Il’Zkin, does some very cat-like things too, which added some comedic moments (Katya knocking over glasses of water for no particular reason was probably my favorite.)
As with the previous books, there’s plenty of action. Rohan battles on a high-gravity world, in space, and on board a ship. But unlike some of the previous books, he’s beginning to understand when it’s necessary to de-escalate and talk things through, rather than answering every challenge with his fists. Watching his character grow and change over time has been an adventure—and after reading the epilogue, I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
Author website: jcmberne.com
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