Graveyard of Empires

Graveyard of Empires #1

by Lincoln Cole

Argus Wade was born into the Ministry, an archaic religion rooted in mystery and intrigue. He knew at an early age that he was different from other the threat of death - or worse - loomed over him because of his special gifts.

When he seeks to protect his daughter from this fate by hiding her from the Ministry, he finds that he only made things worse. Desperation has become his reality.

Meanwhile, the galaxy is facing a new conflict in the outer reaches as a rebellion forms to tear down the Republic, led by a charismatic upstart named Darius Gray. Battle lines are drawn and everyone is choosing sides.

The cost of war, however, is higher than anyone could have anticipated...

Genres: Science Fiction

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2015

About the author

Lincoln Cole

Lincoln Cole is a Columbus based author who enjoys traveling and has visited many different parts of the world, including Australia and Cambodia, but always returns home to his pugamonster puppy, Luther, and family. His love for writing was kindled at an early age through the works of Isaac Asimov and Stephen King and he enjoys telling stories to anyone who will listen.

Reviews

[John Autero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard of Empires is a fast paced and multifaceted action and adventure, sci-fi novel set in the depths of space. The story is made up of multiple branches that are interesting in their own right but then intertwine together at interesting points of the story to enrich the entire story-line. The characters are interesting and well developed and the action scenes are incredibly written. The author has created a set of strong characters with interesting abilities that control the direction of the story and will be used to create the next installment of the novel (I am assuming). Action scenes range from an elderly assassin that is a master in hand-to-hand and wields a sword, to a group of young people that find themselves in the wilderness and have to fight their way back to civilization aboard a train transporting a woman with telekinetic abilities. The author has created a technology rich and believable world that is both fascinating and exciting. I’m interested to read the next installment.

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic sci-fi adventure! There are many different strands at the outset but they all come together cleverly in the end. Individually the strands were very different but all were page turning excitement.
The futuristic world is well described but the sci-fi elements are not labored but provide support to an engrossing story about human emotions. Yes there are plenty of space ships and gadgets but the strength of the writing is in the creation of wonderfully different but engaging characters.
This is a book to read in few sittings as there is a great deal going on and you won't want to put it down!

[J.A. Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Sci-Fi and I enjoyed this book from the start. The first chapter is crucial for me and the story caught my attention immediately by opening with a rally scene and setting the tone of the book- rebellion! Cole's writing is fresh and descriptive - "Argus could taste bile in his throat. It tasted like jealousy." The book had good pace with believable and engaging characters. The plot was well thought out and the book finished leaving me wanting more. Can't wait for more from this author.

[Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced science fiction novel that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I didn't really know what to expect when I picked it up. It's intense, gripping, and led me in a lot of directions I wasn't expecting. The ending is kind of crazy and really sets up the sequel.

If you like Science Fiction, then this is one you won't want to miss!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard of Empires is a sweeping sci-fi saga involving multiple, overlapping story lines set on various planets. Its greatest appeal is the complexity of the characters.

A vast, nominally religious power known as The Republic holds sway over most of the planets in their system. However, rebellion is a constant threat. Darius Gray, an enigmatic rebel, has amassed a loyal following on one planet.

To shore up their forces, the Ministry searches for people with special powers. Once it's known that a boy named Traq Lane has this power, he becomes a pawn in the power struggle.

No one in this story is one-dimensional. Argus Wade is one example - tough, street-smart, manipulative, and yet genuinely concerned about the fate of his daughter, Abi, another child with special powers. Darius Gray, welcomed by the masses as a savior from the brutal rule of the Republic, turns out to be far more complex - and frightening.

Underlying the various plot lines is the condemnation of the ruling power for its poor environmental stewardship. Time and again, planets have been stripped of their natural resources and then abandoned.

My only criticism is the ending - which isn't. I don't know the fate of the three survivors of the brutal training camp, or the terrible sisters Maven and Alyssa, or the special children being hunted by both sides. I guess I'll have to wait for the sequel!

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, “Graveyard of Empires” is an epic journey you don’t want to miss! It reminded me a little of Star Wars, with its vast cast of characters, each bringing their own distinguishing individuality into the story, and with a galaxy on the brink of war.
The story opens up with a scene where Darius Gray, a former protector of the First Citizen, proclaims independence of his own planet and calls for its people to fight for it along with him. On the other planet Argus Wade, a man in service of the Ministry is doubting the goals and methods of the organization that raised him, and tries his best to protect his daughter from the same fate. Together with Vivian, who also belongs to the Ministry, he travels to a distant planet where the two discover a mysterious child, who Argus wants to keep away from the Minister’s eyes because of the power the child possesses. All this, together with the power struggles, intrigues and survival tests, is a very promising beginning of the epic adventure that I know will keep the readers on the edge of their seats. I’m already looking forward to part 2!

[Chantalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. All I can say is that I loved this book. It's really fast paced and has a lot of really well developed characters.

It's got a few dark moments, but none of them are explicit. Once I picked the book up I couldn't put it down. I had to know what happened next.

An awesome read! Well worth the time!

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow the link to listen to my review:

The Daily PawnCast Reviews: "Graveyard of Empires!

[Lincoln Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a cross between Isaac Asimov and George R.R. Martin for the Foundation series and Game of Thrones. Two of my favorite authors, along with Stephen King, that are very inspirational.

[Ryan English · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hope there will be a sequel to this! This is a fantastic read.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do to keep your child safe? Argus thought that his daughter was safe but she has been taken and before long she will be a part of the ministry and he has to try and get her away quickly. So he makes a deal with the devil and he so wishes that he never did. Captain Grove has her own ideas on how she thinks people should be treated and she is pretty cruel about it but what are her plans for Argus's daughter?
Will Vivian be able to get the young boy Traq to safety, she doesn't think that she can teach him anything but Argus believes in her so she will do her best. But how long before they come looking for him, she can't run forever?
Jayson is about to learn that his new home isn't going to fun and games and he can still hope that he lives longer enough to escape. The testing has been tough only 3 made it to this stage but things are about to get so much worse. We have the twin sisters Maven who is just pure evil and the other one Alyssa likes to use her power to hurt & control people. Why does Daruis have these two beside him, he wants peace for all the planets but these two are anything but peaceful.
The planets are mostly a mess, some ore dying slowly and others want peace but at what cost? A good read.

[KathyStroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book, lots of interesting characters, and they face a lot of difficult choices. I found a lot of the descriptions of daily activities seemed very familiar, like the story is set in our world but with spaceships. I was undecided whether that's good because it was more relatable or bad because it implies laziness. I ended up deciding it's good. Looking forward to the next one.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graveyard of Empires is the first book in the Graveyard of Empires series. This should not be read as a standalone. There is violence. This is an interesting storyline and mix of characters. I look forward to reading more about them and to see what happens next.

[Clinton Robert Oberholster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy of the name Space Opera

From tyrants and interstellar war through rebellious planets and young children with world spanning destinies, this book has it all and more.

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and it's like woah. Like the title says, this is about an empire. So, expect lots and lots of people.

Graveyard of Empires follows quite a few people. There's Argus, who discovers a very special little bow and hands it to his trusted co-worker Vivian for safe keeping. If discovered, it could mean death for the three of them. But because Argus has a heart, he's also hatching a plot to keep his daughter safe and away from the Ministry that he works for. At the same time, there's Kristi, the new captain of her ship. She's new but likes to play 'mind games', which includes accepting Argus's offer to make his daughter her Envoy onboard the ship (an Envoy has a lot of power).

On the other side, there's Darius, leader of the rebels in the Ministry. He doesn't get much page space, but his two right hand women - Maven and Alyssa are sisters who seem to hate each other. Both are really powerful too. There's also Jayson, who's training for something, though he doesn't really know what. All he knows that if he can't make it through the training, he's dead.

And there might be a few more characters but I've forgotten them. I was, to be honest, a bit worried about whether I could keep up with all the characters, but I've found that the main players stuck in my mind so there are no worries there.

This book is really just setting the stage for a (hopefully) long series. People move into places and positions and by the end of this book, it seems like one little spark could turn into a huge flame. Plus, I still haven't quite figured out who is the "bad guy" of this book, since it seems that both Darius and the Ministry (and First Citizen, who's also very powerful) are...not good. Let's leave it at that.

Personally, my favourite characters are Captain Kristi, Alyssa and Maven. Captain Kristi because I'm very interested in seeing how she's going to command her ship, and whether she can get Abi (Argus's daughter) to help her in her plans. Plus, she has Jamar, who seems to know everything but yet we don't know anything about him. Alyssa and Maven, I liked because of their hate-hate dynamic. I look forward to seeing how that develops, and to seeing the reason why they defected with Darius.

If you're a Science-Fiction fan, you'll want to check this out.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review.

This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile

[A.L. Lorentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard of Empires is a world-building exercise for first-time (novel-length) science fiction author Lincoln Cole. Lincoln has already won awards for his other work and his skill shows through here. Where many self-published sci-fi novels fail is in the details. Usually, it's big concept, but sloppy execution. You won't find that here. Lincoln's writing, especially dialogue, is always crisp and purposeful. The characters and their worlds feel lived in and real, their situations engaging. There are plenty of allusions to Lincoln's literary heroes sprinkled throughout, which is always fun for avid fans of old-school science fiction to discover.

Other reviews dinged Lincoln for the lack of payoff at the end of the book. However, what the author has done is deliver a series of small character-arc payoffs on the way to a much larger plot payoff in the ensuing novels. By making the reader concentrate on the characters, we are anticipating the continuation of their story. I think the other reviewers are simply unhappy they couldn't abandon these characters, which is a compliment to Lincoln's writing.

In short, this is a great first entry in a series driven so strongly by character development that the pages flow by and leave you waiting for the next novel.

[Kenneth Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Lincoln Cole has cleverly and creatively crafted a tale filled with complex worlds inhabited by equally complex characters. He does a wonderful job of introducing the characters and the worlds in which they inhabit. The tension builds, chapter to chapter, as the characters and the situations they find themselves in bring the nature of this gripping story to light.

At the heart of the story is Argus Wade who, for most of his life, has found himself in a most impossible situation, forced into a life that he has not chosen for himself. His life of complacency in an oppressive religious regime known as The Ministry is shaken up when The Ministry poses a threat to someone he loves. It is a seemingly hopeless situation, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a reason to hope in the form of a young boy with incredible potential.

Graveyard of Empires is both thought-provoking and thrilling! I highly recommend it!

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this to be brilliantly plotted. A large cast of characters woven nicely into the story: a Machiavellian minister in a covert order who discovers he has not been as well hidden as he thought; a rebel leader discounted as just another nuisance by the empire, but who is not what they expected; a master of weapons and security now tasked with hiding a child with gifts coveted by both sides of the conflict; a warship captain on a crusade to restore dignity and respect for the empire by eliminating corruption, on both sides; and a small girl a father tries to protect by hiding her in plain sight; plus many other supporting characters. The author did a wonderful job of presenting both sides of the conflict, with some ruthlessly devoted to one side or the other, and others hoping to survive. Quickly paced, good action, fascinating characters. I did win this book from Goodreads First Reads.

[A.J. Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard of Empires is an enjoyable sci-fi adventure story by Lincoln Cole. It reminded me of Star Wars, Star Trek, and even that weird film Jupiter Ascending. While future technology and gadgets are present in the story it's the characters who are fun to read about. We have a lot of characters who are driving the story, and while at first they all seem to have any relation to each other, as the story progresses you get to know more about them and how their arcs are related. We have Argua Wade who is worried about his daughter who has powers, and then we have Darius Gray who has a very interesting back story. There's also a young boy with powers named Traq Lane, and has almost everyone after him. There's also a lot of stuff about politics and a lot of power plays. Anyone who is interested in Sci-fi, adventure, or even politics will have a lot to enjoy from this story.

Note: Same review has been posted on Amazon under the name Omar Mujtaba

[John Desain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in what promises to be a very long epic. Its a fantasy space epic which plops you into the world without any explanations as to what is happening. The reader is learning as they go which many of the characters are as well. There are more characters than you can shake a stick at so keep a score card handy. This first one in the series is all build up with no resolution to any of the major plot lines. If you must have closure in your novels then you might wait until this series fills out a bit more as this one leaves you hanging on multiple levels. A problem but one that Game of Throne fans seem to be able to handle. It's hard to compare it to any thing I've read before, but I'd say a bit Game of Thrones and a bit of Dune with a mix of standard space fantasy if your looking for a comparison. As it is now, its an exciting ride to the ultimate wait for book two where hopefully more is revealed as to what is happening in the book.

[Stephan Hugten · Rating 5 out of 5]

The words in this sci-fi book flow really well. I like that the writer was able to build a vibrant sci-fi world without copying in an entire science book to explain it all. In a way it remind me of a written star wars novel, where adventure with colourful characters comes first. Exactly what I'm looking for in a novel. I especially liked the idea of captains being the supreme leaders of their moon-sized warships, where not even the government can tell them what to do. The Pass of Command ceremony is my favourite part in the book where the tension really ramps up. Although, like one reviewer here said, the ending doesn't give a lot of resolution, I forgive the writer this because of the great potential. Maybe in the future the two volumes could be combined into a complete whole, because this book is definitely not too long.

[Dana Dill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be honest with you. This is a good book. At times a very good book. Probably better than 3 stars. But this book was also very irritating to read at times. There are serveral story plots in this first book. Too many for me but others may like that. In the end they all come together pretty well though. Also, (and this really irritates me) once again Cole manages to not know his metric from his Imperal systems of measurments. One sentence we are talking about miles. Two pages later he is referring to things in kilometers. Drives me nuts!

Overall, I walk away from this book needing a break from Mr. Coles writing. I will return because I believe with time his writting get better, and the way he descibes action scenes is really talented. He just released the second book in this series and I look forward to reading it.

[M.N. Arzu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I liked the most about this book was how many characters I cared about. Every new chapter brought some mystery or twist, a setting far away in another planet, that I had to keep reading and knowing. I laughed, I winced, I hit my head against the wall as circumstances kept getting our heroes into trouble and evil seemed to be waiting at every corner.

Graveyard is only the beginning of a saga, and I was so sad to reach the last page in the middle of everyone's story. Colorful and tridimensional, these characters left some very memorable scenes in my mind, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Hurry up, author!

[Ian Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard of Empires is another gripping intrigue-filled story from Lincoln Cole. It is based in a futuristic world of space travel and inter-planetary unrest. Numerous characters are introduced in the early chapters,seemingly unrelated, but later coming together each with their own conflicting agendas. This book captured my imagination keeping me guessing as it swept me along for an entertaining,exciting reading adventure. The plot is unfinished, the groundwork has been laid for future adventures. Readers of science fiction will love this. Even if this is not your usual read you will probably enjoy Graveyards of Empires.

[C.B. Haight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The feeling of the one government ruling so many planets and neglecting their needs is a common government problem in real life. I thought the religious aspect was well thought out in how the characters went along with tradition, but never questioned why they did the things they did. The question of WHY is so vital in the world. WHY is where revolutions are born.

I found all the character had multiple sides and view points, which at first was hard but as they developed you loved them because of it. It is a complex science fiction story with many different twits and a very fun read.

[Jane Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my normal preferred genre but I was interested to accept and read a copy to review, attempting to keep an open mind throughout. I was not disappointed. I particularly like the writing style and found I was reluctant to stop reading. There are a cast of colourful characters with varying aptitudes and abilities, and enough action to hold my attention to the end. Some of the characters are particularly memorable, such as strong and formidable ones like Darius Gray and the likeable Argus Wade. There is no final conclusion to this story which lends it perfectly to a follow-up. Well written, well crafted, and good enough to tempt me to read more of this genre.

[Chris Douthit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really delivers for those Fantasy/Action lovers. The book has an exciting fast pace story that delivers lots of excitement. I like how there are different stories going on and how the author advanced the plots and then ties them together.

Character development is excellent; you get a real feel for each and what they can do with their abilities. This is the type of book you continue to read as you cannot set it down.

Looking forward to the next story.

[Dora Ilieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Graveyard of Empires” is a vast science-fiction novel which revolves around the lives of several sets of characters fighting for or against the Republic – a potent repressive machine which has subjugated the inhabitants of different planets. The author has started several plotlines which are methodically developed and will probably find a denouement in another novel. The characters are intriguing and the subject matter very interesting especially to those who are fans of sci-fi.

[Barbara D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Graveyard of Empires' is an action packed science fiction novel with several interconnected story lines. The characters are well thought out and captivating (especially the ones of Argus and Vivian). This is a thrilling sci-fi and colonization adventure full of twists and unexpected turns. I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves a brilliant science fiction story.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard of Empires was fantastic! It is a sci-fi adventure that really creates a detailed and comprehensive universe. The characters are interesting and developed, the story is very well thought out, and the action just keeps on going. Lincoln has created a universe that provides adventure and leaves you wanting to read more.