Imperial Night

Ashes of Empire #3

by Eric Thomson

Humanity's interstellar empire died in fire and blood, leaving wrecked star systems to face the long night of barbarism.
One tiny spark of civilization The Republic of Lyonesse, tucked away at the end of a wormhole cul-de-sac. Yet that last bastion could suffer the same dire fate.
When the late empress unleashed the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse on her crumbling realm, Lyonesse escaped War and Famine. However, the Pale Rider, carrying pestilence and death, still roams the wormhole network, seeking to finish off what the Imperial Retribution Fleet missed decades earlier, and he has finally found the entrance to the Lyonesse branch. What about the White Rider who brings deceit and the worship of false prophets? Perhaps he is already on Lyonesse, undermining what Jonas Morane so laboriously created. Will the Navy's tiny, decrepit fleet stop plague ships from reaching Lyonesse while Morane and his ally Sister Gwenneth keep the fledgling republic from turning on itself?
Or will Lyonesse join the rest of humanity in a long imperial night, one which might never end?

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Space Opera

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2020

About the author

Eric Thomson is my pen name. I'm a former Canadian soldier who spent more years in uniform than he expected, serving in both the Regular Army (Infantry) and the Army Reserve (Armoured Corps). I spent several years as an Information Technology executive for the Canadian government before leaving the bowels of the demented bureaucracy to become a full-time author.

I've been a voracious reader of science-fiction, military fiction and history all my life, assiduously devouring the recommended Army reading list in my younger days and still occasionally returning to the classics for inspiration. Several years ago, I put my fingers to the keyboard and started writing my own military sci-fi, with a definite space opera slant, using many of my own experiences as a soldier as an inspiration for my stories and characters. When I'm not writing fiction, I indulge in my other passions: photography, hiking and scuba diving, all of which I've shared with my wife, who likes to call herself my #1 fan, for more than thirty years.

Reviews

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series hasn’t really developed the way I hoped. Not a lot has happened since the previous book, it appears to have been over twenty years, but they are still haven’t even produced any new ships.
This book is basically about The Order of the Void’s internal politics and them messing with mind manipulation. Unfortunately I found most of the book quite tedious and the story hasn’t really moved on at all.
The previous book made me think twice about continuing with this series, but this one has made me decide to finally give up.

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covering a new battle ground in the vein of Asimov's classic Foundation series!

Thomson opens our eye to a new threat to the last struggling bastion of civilized humanity. An old threat from within vies with a new threat from without. President Moran and his friend Gwenneth of the Void Order fight a battle deep within!
Thomson writes clearly using trophes and homage to evoke the best in SciFi writing. Can't wait for the next installment!

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. Not a bad book overall, it just seemed to spend a lot of time taking the series in a direction I did like. While the Sisters of the Void played a part in the earlier books, it was always a minor role. I don't see much point in adding a book that in the end doesn't change anything.

[Mark L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book and a good sequel to the previous two books. I thought it was interesting to read. It does more heavily focus on the void brethren so if that is not your cup of tea you may not enjoy this book. Looking forward to the next book.

[David Hyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Focus

The first generation is passing from the scene and the ships of the original battle squadron are getting creaky. Our focus shifts from war to politics. Some snakes never die.

[Volpot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. It's an OK continuation, but I just feel the book is a bit shallow. Either there needs to be more in-depth characterization, or a grander story-line. As it is, the book seems stuck in between the two and not as fulfilling as it could be.

[James Baldini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great installment of this series

Not surprisingly, I enjoyed this story. Well put together, well written and enjoyable to say the least. A classic tale and I encourage all who read this to take the time to read this book and series!

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book for people who are interested in reading about the Order of the Void on Lyonesse.

[Neeuqdrazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy these. This one was set 20 years after the first.

I'm looking forward to Book 4.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

read like a placeholder, next book is due out sometime first half of this year.

[steven g cartlidge · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor , to much religion

To much religion,you would of gotten rude of it in the future. Such a waste of a story. Don't bother. Long and boring

[John T Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

This was a good addition to the series . It got a little wrapped up in politics a bit . But was a entertaining read

[Ron Kastner · Rating 3 out of 5]

a necessary view of one of the founding segments of this new order; but perhaps not as militarily exciting for that very reason.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

20 years after the first book, and we've got some new characters to cause issues for our known characters. And a rogue Kwisatz Haderach/The Mule, to keep the Dune/Foundation theme going

[John K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

B to B- grade book. If you want to, you can read it. Too much focus on the OTHER guy's empire. Not too exciting. Oh, what makes it dull is there is not yet any REAL bad guys.