by Sean Danker
Series: Evagardian #3
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
From the author of Admiral and Free Space comes an exciting military science fiction novel about an eclectic mix of Evagardian soldiers on a mission to test a new weapon, but instead find something much more dangerous.
The war between Evagardian Empire and the Commonwealth is at its peak.
The Evagardians have developed a weapon that could change everything, but they can't use it until it's been fully tested. Targeting unsuspecting pirates in a newly annexed system, far from the worst of the fightingsean is supposed to be a safe way to determine if the weapon is ready for live combat.
Everything about the mission is unconventional; the crew of twelve has been pulled from every corner of the Imperial Service, but it should still be an easy tour. After all, a few pirates can't possibly threaten Evagard's elite, especially when they're armed with the most powerful technology in the Imperium.
But it's an unproven system aboard an experimental ship, and there are worse things than pirates waiting in the Demenis System. Far from the front lines, the crew of the Lydia Bennett is about to start a war of their own, and they're a long way from home.
Please welcome Sophia Rose to the blog today as she shares The Glory of the Empress by Sean Danker, the third book in the riveting science fiction series, Evagardian. I loved book one, so I am excited to see what Sophia has to say. Enjoy!
Sophia Rose’s Review
For this third venture in the Evagardian tales, we seem to be off to follow a separate thread from the first one that was running in The Admiral and Free Space. There is the sensation that it is all connected without a clear line holding them together. I get the tingling feeling that the series is just getting rolling and what a wild, intensely thrilling, and an intriguing story it is set out there among the stars many years into our future.
So, yes, The Glory of the Empress is the third installment of the Evagardian series. It might seem like it would be okay standalone because it introduces a new set of players into the game, but no, I wouldn’t advise it. I really think the two earlier books along with this one are leading up to something big.
The Glory of the Empress opens with twelve strangers recruited from throughout the Evagardian Military brought together to serve aboard the latest cutting-edge technology in warships. Half came from seemingly unrelated fields. They barely get time to introduce themselves before they’re in the thick of things.
The story narration is from one perspective all the way through. He is wry, observant, and intuitive. For someone who has no combat experience, he does well with each new encounter that is challenging and an edge of your seat thrilling. It wasn’t long before I was asking myself, like with the first book, just who is this man and was he really only an immigration analyst before this. Oh, and there was a mysterious event in his past involving his boss that may or may not be taken at face value.
Okay, speaking of face value, I felt this story was so layered. There are the ongoing sci-fi space battle action plot and a few alien creature moments that got my spine tingling that could be just exactly what it is, but there are layers beneath like someone is orchestrating moves on a chess board way ahead. It’s an interesting feeling.
The reader gets to know to a certain extent the players aboard Lydia Bennett (love this little P&P Easter Egg), but there are three main players Commander Mao, the fighter pilot, and the analyst turned bridge team and support staff for the fighter pilot. Then there are the pirates and some refugees to toss into the mix when the crew of the Lydia Bennett learns quickly that their mission is only the tip of the iceberg out in this remote section of space. They’re up against a cunning defector who helped develop and knows all the innovations and strategies for making war with the Lydia Bennett and her tech.
In the end, there are a series of climactic scenes that had me holding my breath and swiping pages fast enough to leave a jet trail on my Kindle. Those who want fantastic sci-fi action and an impressive series building itself toward an even bigger end should not hesitate to pick these books up. Fair warning, there might be some addiction involved if you discover they are to your taste.
The Glory of the Empress by Sean Danker offered an edge-of-your-seat sci-fi thrill ride where nothing is as it seems. #scifi #mustread series. Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I was going to say Kim – you are reading Sci-Fi…But it is Sophia! =) This sound really awesome – I do like Sci-Fi. I will have to add this to my TBR list! Great review Sophia!
Mary
ShootingStarsMag
Great review, Sophia! Good to know you should read the books in order, and I’m glad you enjoyed this one too! Books with lots of layers can be fascinating.
-Lauren
Sophia Rose
Thanks, Lauren!
It would probably be okay as a standalone, but a lot of the background stuff and motivations of the two sides makes more sense when it is all read in order. In sci-fis, I like getting all that extra so I understand what’s going on. 🙂
Ethan
Great review, Sophia! I really like the idea of a well developed sci-fi series that get’s bigger and better with each new installment.
Sophia Rose
I’m with you, Ethan. I read an interview the author did and he talked about the fact that he has written several books past this one and knows exactly how it will all work. He hinted at some great twists and surprises as well as things getting even more intense in future books. Can’t wait! 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh sweet! I do like a good sci-fi and I think I may have to try this series. I don’t mind becoming addicted at all! 😀
Sophia Rose
Yes, book addiction is a great problem to have. Haha!
sjhigbee
Thank you for a cracking review, Sophia:). I have a really soft spot for action-filled space opera with strong characterisation – thank you for sharing. I’ll be looking out for this author…
Sophia Rose
You bet, Shigbee! The main characters are always something of a mystery, but there is definitely enough there to keep a reader curious. Of course, the action is gripping, too. 🙂
Sophia Rose
Oops! That should read SJ
Lily B
been looking for a great science fiction book, I love that there are a ton of layers in it. Will have to check out book 1.
Sophia Rose
Yes, you will, Lily. I’m curious to know what you’d think of this series.
Angela Adams
Wow! This definitely sounds like a made-for-TV movie for the SyFy channel! thanks, Sophia Rose, for the post!
Sophia Rose
You know… I think you might be right. There are plenty of scenes that would be great visually.
Heidi
I haven’t read a good sci fi book in awhile. This sounds exciting. I love a good book set in space!
Sophia Rose
I never used to read space sci-fi at all and then got into it two years ago and now I have to read a half dozen a year. I’m having a good time with this series. It’s action-packed, but it has a lot of wry humor, too.
sinfully
What a great review! I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, but this one sounds right up my alley. I added the first book in the series, Admiral, to my TBR I’ll start from the beginning as suggested.
Sophia Rose
Ah, so glad to hook your interest. Hope you enjoy it when you get the chance. 🙂
blodeuedd
LOL, yes i approve of that ship name
Sophia Rose
I giggled when they announced the name of the ship and had a feeling the rest of the story would be fine. LOL
Melliane
Sci-fi is a tricly genre for me but I was surprised to love the Rachel Bach series so maybe I need to try more
Sophia Rose
Yes, you did venture your pinky toe into the sci-fi world. Hope you find a few more to love, Melliane. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Great review Sophia Rose and yes i knew it was from you before I saw it LOL 😉 I’m so glad you’re enjoying these exciting reads and right up my sci-fi alley too!
Sophia Rose
No tricking you, Debbie. Heh heh.
Yes, I would push off this series on anyone who enjoys sci-fi.
Angela @ Simply Angela
I love it when authors throw in P&P references. Great review, Sophia!
Sophia Rose
It was fun. Lydia Bennett is such a great name for a ship and crew like this. I could see Austen’s Lydia having a grand old time in this story. 🙂
kindlemom1
This does sound like there is a lot of depth to it. Glad you loved this so much, wonderful review Sophia!
Sophia Rose
Yes, it was a good one and I was sorry it was finished and I have to wait for the next one. 🙂
Silvia
It sounds like a pretty exciting sci-fi book! I love there were a series of climactic scenes that had you holding your breath and kept you engaged like that, it definitely seems like the author did a brilliant job 😀
Sophia Rose
It had exciting moments throughout, but that ending… man oh man, Silvia. 🙂
Cindy
This one has me very curious… great review Sophia Rose. I may just have to check out this genre and book!
Sophia Rose
Oh, super, Cindy! Always happy to introduce folks to a new reading possibility.