Collapse

by Richard Toulouse, Ashley English (Narrator)

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

Stranded on a dying 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 a possible 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 started his writing with 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 and AEONS war, explores an alternate universe where the British Empire expanded to the stars... until it all fell apart.

His next work (currently unannounced) will be a historical fiction. An idea he has held for many years and looks forward to bringing it to life.

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 as well as bleak pessimism that shapes his view of the world in which we live.

Richard began writing in an effort to distract himself from an unexpected bereavement. 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

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 3 out of 5]

See this review and more on Books and Ladders!

Content Warnings: violence, death, corruption of government, colonization, corruption of technology

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this novel to know more about how the world was collapsing, how the AI would be corrupted, and if Constance would find her family. However, some of the execution of these big promises left me wanting more. I felt as though there was an opportunity to expand on each of these items in more detail than what we got, which led to the novella feeling a bit underdeveloped in all of these areas.

I did really like Constance and her AI partner, Nigel. I liked their banter, the way that they worked together, and the supportive aspects that they had with one another. I think Constance was a great character to follow as she was conflicted about her role and how to move through a system that was flawed and broken, while wanting to help her fellow humans, but had a priority of her own as well. I think she was really grounded and humanized throughout the story, which led to a lot of emotional connection to her.

I would have liked a bit more time spent on worldbuilding and understanding how the system was set up before the collapse of it. I feel like typically it's good to jump right into the midst of the story and the problem rather than doing too much background, but because of the length, it felt like we were missing something to help guide us through where and why Constance was doing what she was doing. I think even another chapter spent just on the "before" and a few more lines/anecdotes about the differences in the before and now would have added a layer of depth that was missing from the story.

This has some great British humour, an interesting premise, and strong characters. I would have just liked a bit more from the atmosphere and to have it feel like the story flowed together a bit more. Understanding that it is a novella, there was still room to add in more details to the worldbuilding and provide smoother transitions from chapter to chapter.

If you are looking for a quick space opera, this is one to give a chance to!

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[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this book compelling is its meditation on memory and meaning. As Constance moves through abandoned worlds and fractured resistance groups, the story becomes less about rebuilding empire and more about redefining value. The slow revelation of something inhuman watching from the margins adds tension without overwhelming the narrative. From experience, I’ve learned that endurance often means accepting uncertainty rather than defeating it, and this novel understands that deeply. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant, this is science fiction that lingers long after the final page.

[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.

[Ben Wilshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid start to a series with a very intriguing premise. The idea of the British Empire extending into space and falling apart is handled well and makes for an entertaining read. There are nice ideas here which I look forward to exploring in the remaining books in the series. It is a quick, enjoyable story that sci-fi fans should check out if they want to try something fresh.

[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.