What do you think?
Rate this book
Takamo Universe
Empire’s Rift
The Naplian Empire’s war of expansion against the Grand Alliance has taken a turn for the worse.
With vital serjaum fuel reserves wiped out by a surprise attack, Admiral Daviont of the III Corps makes a long, desperate journey to the fringes of Terran space for a massive undeveloped source of serjaum—the Baedecker Star System. But his action does not go unnoticed. Their mortal enemies, the Briddarri, send their own task force to intercept.
At Baedecker Four, starfighter pilot and governor’s son Taggart “Tag” Wester has his hands full steering clear of his wing commander’s wrath. When an emergency call unearths a dangerous foe from the past, he’s put to a test unlike any he’s ever face—one of courage, and leadership.
Elden Selva is on a mission to restore power to the defeated Northern Alliance, by retrieving the remains of Truppen cybernetic soldiers. What he finds is far more than he anticipated, and the ensuing conflict changes both him and the woman he loves.
The invaders and defenders collide in a struggle that will not only shape their lives, but have dire consequences for the entire galaxy.
With vital serjaum fuel reserves wiped out by a surprise attack, Admiral Daviont of the III Corps makes a long, desperate journey to the fringes of Terran space for a massive undeveloped source of serjaum—the Baedecker Star System. But his action does not go unnoticed. Their mortal enemies, the Briddarri, send their own task force to intercept.
At Baedecker Four, starfighter pilot and governor’s son Taggart “Tag” Wester has his hands full steering clear of his wing commander’s wrath. When an emergency call unearths a dangerous foe from the past, he’s put to a test unlike any he’s ever face—one of courage, and leadership.
Elden Selva is on a mission to restore power to the defeated Northern Alliance, by retrieving the remains of Truppen cybernetic soldiers. What he finds is far more than he anticipated, and the ensuing conflict changes both him and the woman he loves.
The invaders and defenders collide in a struggle that will not only shape their lives, but have dire consequences for the entire galaxy.
- GenresScience Fiction
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2016
3 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Steve Rzasa
98 books104 followersSteve Rzasa was born and raised in South Jersey, and fell in love with books—especially science fiction novels and historical volumes—at an early age. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University’s College of Communications in 2000, and then spent seven years as a reporter and assistant editor at weekly newspapers in Maine. Steve moved to Wyoming in 2007 to become the editor of a weekly newspaper there, and now works at the local library. He and his wife Carrie have two boys and live in Buffalo, Wyoming.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 26, 2017
I’ve been reading Steve Rzasa’s stories for nearly a decade now, and when it comes to space opera, there are few that handle the subgenre better. Intrigue, epic space battles, futuristic technology, well-rounded characters, personal and political maneuverings—these are the fabrics that Steve seems to effortlessly stitch together in his stories. That was first apparent to me in his earlier “Word Reclaimed” series, and is equally evident in “Empire’s Rift.”
It isn’t necessary to know anything about the Takamo Universe to read this book. In fact, it serves as a great introduction to the universe, while still feeling familiar to those who have read Rzasa’s earlier books. I especially enjoyed the twists here, along with some of the more obscure characters. Abbot Jeopar, for instance—I think I could read a whole book written just from his point of view. (I felt the same about Elden, though he isn’t quite as obscure.)
“Empire’s Rift” is an epic read. A science fiction potpourri. For fans of Takamo and Rzasa alike!
It isn’t necessary to know anything about the Takamo Universe to read this book. In fact, it serves as a great introduction to the universe, while still feeling familiar to those who have read Rzasa’s earlier books. I especially enjoyed the twists here, along with some of the more obscure characters. Abbot Jeopar, for instance—I think I could read a whole book written just from his point of view. (I felt the same about Elden, though he isn’t quite as obscure.)
“Empire’s Rift” is an epic read. A science fiction potpourri. For fans of Takamo and Rzasa alike!
November 6, 2016
I am part of the Takamo Universe Team so I am a bit biased. Having made full disclosure, I really enjoyed the book. It is good, classic sci fi space opera. Plenty of adventure and plot threads that come together nicely. I am now reading the first draft of the sequel and I'm enjoying that as well.
December 21, 2018
In Empire’s Rift: the Baedecker Invasion, author Steve Rzasa brings to this Reviewer’s mind a complete universe full of villains and heroes. Based on the real world Takamo Universe, Mister Rzasa brings to fictional life the online game’s characters and situations. Unfortunately, this Reviewer cannot compare the online game version against the eBook form since he has never played the game!
However, the eBook form is a fictional account of an alien invasion into Human space. The aliens, who call themselves the Naplians, are human shaped, but one-eyed. Obviously intelligent and capable, they are on the search for fuel stocks called serjaum, as theirs are running low. To reinforce the enormity of space, the author has them spend a few years crossing the rift between their volumes of space in one spiral arm to human space in a neighboring spiral arm. An entire fleet of warships escorts numerous mining complexes and other transport ships to the human colonized Baedecker system. The invaders engage the humans on Baedecker 4 while escorting the mining vessels to Baedecker 2. Most of the humans and military forces manage to evacuate to Baedecker 6 orbit, where a huge human space station remains undetected. However, held prisoner on Baedecker 4 are Governor Wester and his daughter, Marney, along with thousands of other citizens. Other humans remain hidden as refugees.
Meanwhile, Governor Wester’s son, Tag, operates a fighter busily attacking the Naplian forces. He, his squad mates, and additional rag-tag human forces of Baedecker 4, like mosquitoes on a lion, harass and pick-at the overwhelming Naplian forces. An unexpected, defeated military force of human Reittians joins with the Baedecker forces, bringing with them the Truppen—devastating, mechanized soldiers, fully self-aware AI combat robots, each controlled by a transplanted human brain. Unknown to the governor, a religious order known as the Apparatics, led by Abbot Jeopar, head of the Hirrenhausen Monastery, is busy recovering and rebuilding destroyed Truppen soldiers from a previous human war called the Second Consular War. They hope to restore the stasis-minded human minds encased within the Truppen headpieces in order to lead them to Christ. Assisting the abbot is Elden Selva, former lover of Marney, and hereditary leader of the defeated Northern Alliance, now undercover and on assignment as the Terran Graves Department representative.
Eventually, the human alliance routes the Naplians and wins the battle. In the process, Selva wins the release of the human prisoners and sacrifices his life in the process. The Truppen recover his body and install his brain into an available Truppen headpiece, where Selva awakens, takes over Truppen control as their Leader, and assists with more human liberation.
Also joining with the human alliance are the Briddarri, human looking, but slightly green-tinge skinned enemies of the Naplians.
At the beginning of the story, this Reviewer was a bit confused with the introduction of the many and varied forces within this universe. Having zero knowledge of the gaming environment, this was an expected experience. Yet, the story came together quickly, decisively, and became an enjoyable read. Empire’s Rift: the Baedecker Invasion is a family friendly, sci-fi adventure with quick-pulsed action, romance, and life changing decisions.
Highly recommended—the eBook, that is. Enter the game at your own risk.
However, the eBook form is a fictional account of an alien invasion into Human space. The aliens, who call themselves the Naplians, are human shaped, but one-eyed. Obviously intelligent and capable, they are on the search for fuel stocks called serjaum, as theirs are running low. To reinforce the enormity of space, the author has them spend a few years crossing the rift between their volumes of space in one spiral arm to human space in a neighboring spiral arm. An entire fleet of warships escorts numerous mining complexes and other transport ships to the human colonized Baedecker system. The invaders engage the humans on Baedecker 4 while escorting the mining vessels to Baedecker 2. Most of the humans and military forces manage to evacuate to Baedecker 6 orbit, where a huge human space station remains undetected. However, held prisoner on Baedecker 4 are Governor Wester and his daughter, Marney, along with thousands of other citizens. Other humans remain hidden as refugees.
Meanwhile, Governor Wester’s son, Tag, operates a fighter busily attacking the Naplian forces. He, his squad mates, and additional rag-tag human forces of Baedecker 4, like mosquitoes on a lion, harass and pick-at the overwhelming Naplian forces. An unexpected, defeated military force of human Reittians joins with the Baedecker forces, bringing with them the Truppen—devastating, mechanized soldiers, fully self-aware AI combat robots, each controlled by a transplanted human brain. Unknown to the governor, a religious order known as the Apparatics, led by Abbot Jeopar, head of the Hirrenhausen Monastery, is busy recovering and rebuilding destroyed Truppen soldiers from a previous human war called the Second Consular War. They hope to restore the stasis-minded human minds encased within the Truppen headpieces in order to lead them to Christ. Assisting the abbot is Elden Selva, former lover of Marney, and hereditary leader of the defeated Northern Alliance, now undercover and on assignment as the Terran Graves Department representative.
Eventually, the human alliance routes the Naplians and wins the battle. In the process, Selva wins the release of the human prisoners and sacrifices his life in the process. The Truppen recover his body and install his brain into an available Truppen headpiece, where Selva awakens, takes over Truppen control as their Leader, and assists with more human liberation.
Also joining with the human alliance are the Briddarri, human looking, but slightly green-tinge skinned enemies of the Naplians.
At the beginning of the story, this Reviewer was a bit confused with the introduction of the many and varied forces within this universe. Having zero knowledge of the gaming environment, this was an expected experience. Yet, the story came together quickly, decisively, and became an enjoyable read. Empire’s Rift: the Baedecker Invasion is a family friendly, sci-fi adventure with quick-pulsed action, romance, and life changing decisions.
Highly recommended—the eBook, that is. Enter the game at your own risk.
April 29, 2019
Just finished EMPIRE’S RIFT, a rip-roaring sci-fi adventure. The space combat is believable and exciting, the characters sympathetic, and the politics engrossing. Lt. Tad grows from a callow and rash pilot to a empathetic character, and several characters are literally transformed. Author Steve Rzasa creates a host of interplanetary forces, each with its own motives and schemes. There is, of course, a love story, too. This book introduced me to the Takamo Universe, and I am already reading more.
May 16, 2020
Razsa captures all the feels from the Stackpole/Allston X-wing series from the Star Wars novels and I felt this was a great introduction to the Takamo Universe. I didn't know much about the universe at first (and the opening story confused me at first since the characters were aliens I wasn't yet familiar with, but it clarified at the mid-point and by the end of the story I felt I had a handle on the political dynamics of this sector.)
I see that this is part of a larger literary universe that has been around for a while. Perhaps I'll need to check out the larger body of work.
I see that this is part of a larger literary universe that has been around for a while. Perhaps I'll need to check out the larger body of work.
July 31, 2023
Great read
This did take me a couple of chapters to get everything straightened out. After figuring out who all the characters and key players were going to be, the story really took off. Really enjoyed the story. Loved the different concepts that were dealt with in the story such as family, friendship and faith. Will definitely check out the next book.
This did take me a couple of chapters to get everything straightened out. After figuring out who all the characters and key players were going to be, the story really took off. Really enjoyed the story. Loved the different concepts that were dealt with in the story such as family, friendship and faith. Will definitely check out the next book.
July 21, 2022
Space Opera in a grand galaxy. This was an exciting introduction to a complex Galaxy. You feel that it is an important chapter in a history that has been going on for thousands of years and has much left.
September 6, 2018
Action packed
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews