Collapse

by Richard Toulouse, Ashley English (Narrator)

The empire is gone. The silence is full of enemies.

Stranded on a dying prison world, freighter pilot Constance Edwards has only one find her family. Defying the last hollow orders of a collapsed government, she and her AI partner, Nigel, plunge into a fractured galaxy.

Instead of sanctuary, they find a void swarming with threats. Warlords rule ruined stations, deluded nobles toast a dead queen, and the empire's own AI, AEON, is purging systems in the name of order.

But the true reason for the collapse is watching from the dark. An alien intelligence has arrived, and it is not here to talk. To save her daughter, Constance must fly through a three-way war where survival is sedition, and silence means death.

Audible Audio

Published June 16, 2025

About the author

Richard Toulouse writes gritty, atmospheric science fiction set in the ashes of fallen empires. His Interplanetary Empire of Great Britain series, which includes Collapse, In Absence of Command, and Ashes of the Crown, explores an alternate universe where the British Empire expanded to the stars... until it all fell apart.

An English teacher from the UK, he is fascinated by the "ghosts in the machine," the cold logic of rogue AIs, and the clash between human resilience and the indifferent systems that have outlived their purpose.

Richard began writing in an effort to distract himself from an unexpected loss. What started as escapism became an enjoyable and productive passion. He hopes that his stories entertain or at the very least distract his readers in the same way that writing them provided him with an escape when it was needed most.

Reviews

[Esteban Villareal · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Collapse" is an intense and atmospheric opening to the series. Constance Edwards is a compelling protagonist, navigating a shattered galaxy where warlords, rogue AIs, and collapsing factions create constant danger. The world-building is rich, the tension steady, and the partnership with her AI Nigel adds heart and humour. A strong, fast-paced sci-fi adventure that sets up a larger mystery with real emotional stakes!

[Michelle Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collapse pulled me in from the very first chapter and I found it hard to put down. The story feels tense and emotional without being complicated, and the world the author creates is easy to picture and really stays with you. It’s not action for action’s sake – this book focuses on mood, survival, and what people cling to when systems fail. If you enjoy intelligent sci-fi with emotional depth and a haunting edge, this is well worth reading.

[Nataliia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this novel was very interesting and well-written. The plot develops at a good rate and entices the reader. The themes remain pertinent and have been explored well. A read such as this one prompts one to pause and think; otherwise, one could find oneself racing through it.