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

Hi goodreads community. My name is Richard Toulouse and I am an English Teacher from the UK, currently based in Vietnam. I have always enjoyed writing, but began actually putting stories together fully last year after finding it a useful distraction from an unexpected bereavement.

Since then, I have released four books as part of my Sci-Fi series (The Interplanetary Empire of Great Britain Series) and a single full-length novel, Ypres.

I am currently working on a few other projects which are as yet untitled and may or may not get finished, but I do intend to continue releasing content, including further additions to my Sci-Fi collection, and additional standalone works of Historical Fiction.

Please feel free to connect with me. I am very happy to discuss my books (or the works of others). Thank you!

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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[Zariah Zayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely drawn into Constance Edwards’ journey from the very first page. The sense of loss and isolation is palpable a galaxy once ruled with order now reduced to silence and chaos, with only fractured AI systems and shadowed dangers to guide (or mislead) the survivors. Following Constance as a mother, pilot, and fighter felt deeply human amid the vast emptiness of space; her grief, determination, and resilience hit me in a way few sci-fi protagonists ever do.

The world-building is stunning broken colonies, ghost stations, and remnants of empire create a haunting backdrop that perfectly mirrors Constance’s inner struggles. The story balances high-stakes suspense with intimate, emotional moments, making you feel the weight of survival and the choices that shape who we become.

By the end, I was left reflecting not only on the collapse of empires, but on the quiet courage required to keep moving when everything familiar is gone.
A masterful blend of sci-fi adventure, suspense, and emotional depth this is a story that lingers long after the last 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.