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Empyrion #2
The Siege of Dome: Empyrion II
How resilient is the human spirit in the face of merciless oppression? What values in life stand up to certain death?
In the second and concluding Empyrion book, Orion Treet determines to return to Dome after his brief respite among the peaceable, graceful Fieri. No one but Orion and a handful of rebels seriously believes that Dome will carry out its threat to annihilate Fierra. Abandoned by his companions from Earth, Treet becomes a solitary figure in a deadly civil war. The Empyrion novels are among Lawhead’s most captivating accomplishments of storytelling and adventure; among the best there is in science fiction. Look for the award-winning Empyrion I: The Search for Fierra, at your local bookstore.
In the second and concluding Empyrion book, Orion Treet determines to return to Dome after his brief respite among the peaceable, graceful Fieri. No one but Orion and a handful of rebels seriously believes that Dome will carry out its threat to annihilate Fierra. Abandoned by his companions from Earth, Treet becomes a solitary figure in a deadly civil war. The Empyrion novels are among Lawhead’s most captivating accomplishments of storytelling and adventure; among the best there is in science fiction. Look for the award-winning Empyrion I: The Search for Fierra, at your local bookstore.
504 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1986
12 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Stephen R. Lawhead
102 books2,744 followersStephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium, Patrick, and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion.
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 12, 2025
The second of two books (see my review of the The Search for Fierra) which brings the duology to a close. The conflict that is expected at the end of book 1 occupies the vast majority of book 2 and it was perhaps a bit too drawn out, which left the climax/resolution feeling a bit too short and underdeveloped. The epilogue nicely if briefly offers an update on the after lives of the main characters which I was happy to read.
January 11, 2021
Stephen Lawhead is a masterful world builder, and “The Siege of Dome,” Book 2 in the Empyrion saga, is no exception. Whereas the focus of Book 1, “The Search for Fierra” is exploring the culture of Dome (and our protagonists’ eventual escape from its dangers), the world-building focus in this second, concluding entry is the culture of Fierra, even as the story moves back and forth between Treet’s subversive infiltration of Dome and the contrasting experiences of the other earth travelers as they assimilate to life in Fierra. In the last 10 chapters or so, these two stories come together for a grand climax and satisfying conclusion.
For the most part, I found “Siege of Dome” to be equally as engaging and imaginative as its predecessor (which I rated 5 stars). Given the momentum at the end of Book 1, I did expect a faster-paced Book 2. Instead, I found myself “pushing through” much of the first third, which, for my taste, felt somewhat stalled. A contributing factor is that there are quite a few similar characters in the government of Dome, too many for the author to develop. Consequently, the various directors, sub-directors, and officials blur together, making it difficult to identify with (and care about) any of them. In contrast, though, I found our protagonists from earth well drawn, each with well-executed character arcs. As “The Siege of Dome” progressed, they felt more and more like “flesh and blood” friends and acquaintances.
I actually put down this book for a few months and detoured through a few other reads. Eventually, I decided I would push through my initial slump, and I’m so glad that I did. As the remainder of the story unfolded, it steadily picked up pace and became increasingly engaging. By the end, it was not only page-turning, but even spiritually inspiring (though never “preachy”).
On the whole, the Empiryion saga is well worth the time investment. It has populated my imagination with a well-constructed and wondrous world, moral questions to ponder, and characters that I’d like to visit someday, should I ever find myself light years from earth, on the other side of the wormhole.
For the most part, I found “Siege of Dome” to be equally as engaging and imaginative as its predecessor (which I rated 5 stars). Given the momentum at the end of Book 1, I did expect a faster-paced Book 2. Instead, I found myself “pushing through” much of the first third, which, for my taste, felt somewhat stalled. A contributing factor is that there are quite a few similar characters in the government of Dome, too many for the author to develop. Consequently, the various directors, sub-directors, and officials blur together, making it difficult to identify with (and care about) any of them. In contrast, though, I found our protagonists from earth well drawn, each with well-executed character arcs. As “The Siege of Dome” progressed, they felt more and more like “flesh and blood” friends and acquaintances.
I actually put down this book for a few months and detoured through a few other reads. Eventually, I decided I would push through my initial slump, and I’m so glad that I did. As the remainder of the story unfolded, it steadily picked up pace and became increasingly engaging. By the end, it was not only page-turning, but even spiritually inspiring (though never “preachy”).
On the whole, the Empiryion saga is well worth the time investment. It has populated my imagination with a well-constructed and wondrous world, moral questions to ponder, and characters that I’d like to visit someday, should I ever find myself light years from earth, on the other side of the wormhole.
January 24, 2023
Orion Treet has left the peace-loving Fieri settlement to return to the tyranny of Dome. He is convinced that history will repeat itself and that the self-serving leadership of Dome will find a way to make the Fieri the scapegoats for all the inequality and division that has brutalised their society. He feels compelled to find a way to stop the destruction. He has parted from Yarden who decides to pursue her own artistic calling; from Pizzle who has fallen in love with a Fieri woman who, to his everlasting astonishment, wants to be with him; and from Crocker who is lost within his own mind and who has turned killer after conditioning by the security forces of Dome.
The story jumps from thread to thread, weaving them together into a larger tapestry. It follows Orion as he is captured; Crocker as he finds peace in the Blue Forest with a wevicat; Yarden as she realises she's too old to be expert at dance but can learn art; Pizzle as he wavers to and fro about marriage, only finally deciding for it once it's highly recommended his relationship be terminated. It also follows the increasingly megalomaniac Jamrog and his commander of Invisibles, Mrukk, the doctor Ernina, the rebellion leaders - former directors and subdirectors Tvrdy and Cejka and Kopetch - as well as the dumpy scarred leader of the Dhog outcasts Giloon Bogney and many more.
Orion is devastated to realise that perhaps he himself is the catalyst that will lead to the destruction of the Fieri. A violent purge begins in Dome: thousands of people are arrested and tortured on any pretext or none at all. And the Fieri, warned in dreams and sensations and through the agency of talking fish, realise that perhaps it had never been the right course to isolate themselves so totally from the citizens of Dome. How can the people of Dome ever embrace the Light if those who follow it have taken the Light away?
The story jumps from thread to thread, weaving them together into a larger tapestry. It follows Orion as he is captured; Crocker as he finds peace in the Blue Forest with a wevicat; Yarden as she realises she's too old to be expert at dance but can learn art; Pizzle as he wavers to and fro about marriage, only finally deciding for it once it's highly recommended his relationship be terminated. It also follows the increasingly megalomaniac Jamrog and his commander of Invisibles, Mrukk, the doctor Ernina, the rebellion leaders - former directors and subdirectors Tvrdy and Cejka and Kopetch - as well as the dumpy scarred leader of the Dhog outcasts Giloon Bogney and many more.
Orion is devastated to realise that perhaps he himself is the catalyst that will lead to the destruction of the Fieri. A violent purge begins in Dome: thousands of people are arrested and tortured on any pretext or none at all. And the Fieri, warned in dreams and sensations and through the agency of talking fish, realise that perhaps it had never been the right course to isolate themselves so totally from the citizens of Dome. How can the people of Dome ever embrace the Light if those who follow it have taken the Light away?
April 4, 2018
A decent finale, though this sequel was, overall, not as impressive as the first installment. Following the side characters was vastly less interesting and exciting than the main character's story-arc, where all the important plot points and events occurred. Frankly, half the book could have been cut (mostly the female lead's story, which got very dull and repetitive), and it would have improved the book immensely.
All that negative stuff being said, I do recommend reading the Empyrion books if you're a fan of science-fiction, since the first one was so unique and exciting, and the sequel wrapped it up decently enough.
All that negative stuff being said, I do recommend reading the Empyrion books if you're a fan of science-fiction, since the first one was so unique and exciting, and the sequel wrapped it up decently enough.
August 14, 2014
This is the sequel to 'the search for fierra' and was a good read. It starts off with Treet inside the archives in Dome while Crocker is getting settled in in the Blue Forest and the other two members of the original party, Pizzle and Yarden, settling in amongst the Fierri. Treet is trying to learn all he can about the history of Dome in order to help prevent the spreading madness he recognized from the previous novel. Yarden wishes to forget Treet and move on with her life. Pizzle wishes to marry a Fierri woman he has met. The rebellion in Dome is not going well as Jamrog has gained complete control by murdering his predecessor as well as anyone else who stands in his way. Tvrdy has to go to the Dhogs for help as the majority of other Hage leaders will not support open rebellion against Jamrog.
We learn more about Fierri civilization in this novel. It has some nice expansion to the peaceful group sharing the planet with the citizens of Dome, but it also left much to be desired. It is also about a journey of discovery for the three 'surviving' travelers [Crocker's mind has been broken, so he no longer 'counts' other than his revealing to Yarden what he failed to do upon arriving at Dome with Treet and Calin] as they discover the 'reason[s]' as to why they survived the trip across the desert and encountered the Fierri. Pizzle and Yarden eventually go on a trip to a northern bay where they will meet 'fish' resembling pilot whales that can communicate with humans if the humans wish for the communication to occur. Yarden realizes that the 'fish' are trying to communicate the danger soon to be emanating from Dome and that action is required. Treet has been captured in Dome and is being tortured in a sensory deprivation chamber; while in the chamber he encounters the Divine Presence Who saves his life [and sanity], allowing him to be dumped on the steps of a local 'healer' when there is a change in power in the Nikolerous Hage. He is captured a second time by the leader of the Invisibles, but his former doctor is able to acquire his freedom through subterfuge and brazenness. Tvrdy and his followers move in with the Dhogs to begin striking back at the 'false' government ruled by Jamrog. Treet manages to join up with Tvyrdy and his factions and becomes a spiritual figurehead for many followers [especially the Dhogs] as he is proclaimed to be a Fierri come to help them. The rebellion begins to go poorly for Tvrdy and company; they are eventually herded into a 'last stand' situation after the Dhogs grow tired of fighting and abandon their allies. Other members of the Fierri complain of a growing sense of unease, which allows a fleet of balons to head to Dome to see if anything can be done to help Treet stop Dome's madness and attempted second attack of Fierra. Pizzle ends up coming up with a plan by which the fleet of balons will fly close to the roof of Dome in such a manner that the sympathic vibrations from their engines will cause the dome surrounding the city to collapse. The collapse of the dome will incapacitate the city's dwellers for about thirty minutes as they are not used to breathing the natural atmosphere of the planet. The plan works, and the Fierri are saved. Yarden tells Treet she loves him but she will be nothing more than a friend. Pizzle is finally able to marry the love of his life, Starla, and starts a publishing company amongst the Fierri. Treet falls in love with Jaire and the two become married after a leisurely ardent courtship. Crocker remains in the Blue Forest, unwilling to put forth the effort to have his mind healed.
Overall, it was a good book. Some of the writing in some parts seemed forced; some contrived. I disagree with Yarden's assessment of Crocker about Crocker being weak whereas Treet was strong. Treet only survived the conditioning/torture because the Divine Presence [God] saved him; Crocker did not have the help that Treet had to stand against the attempts of the Nikolerous to break his will and mind. It seemed like a petty comment on her part to make [granted, she was also basing it on Crocker's not being willing to push through the pain to have his mind restored. What she does not take into account is that Crocker might be feeling immense guilt over attempting to kill Treet despite how his conversation went with Yarden when Crocker described Calin's last moments]. After all of the insight that Yarden had had up to that point, her comments about Crocker seemed mean-spirited and petty to me.
It is always interesting to read about somebody attempting to describe a fictional character's 'salvation experience' because it almost always seems contrived. It is a very difficult experience to write about, let alone trying to describe a fictional character's coming to salvation. Some authors do a good job of it; some not so good. I think Lawhead made some noble efforts at describing the various salvation experiences; some worked better than others.
Overall, though, I felt it was a well-written book and has done a reasonable job of standing the test of time [for a reasonably 'early' Christian sci-fi novel]. It was obviously written for enjoyment with minimal levels of depth to it [in my opinion]; I do not think he was trying to win a 'spiritual enlightenment of the year award' with this novel [although I thought he made some good points dealing with sins of omission versus commission].
We learn more about Fierri civilization in this novel. It has some nice expansion to the peaceful group sharing the planet with the citizens of Dome, but it also left much to be desired. It is also about a journey of discovery for the three 'surviving' travelers [Crocker's mind has been broken, so he no longer 'counts' other than his revealing to Yarden what he failed to do upon arriving at Dome with Treet and Calin] as they discover the 'reason[s]' as to why they survived the trip across the desert and encountered the Fierri. Pizzle and Yarden eventually go on a trip to a northern bay where they will meet 'fish' resembling pilot whales that can communicate with humans if the humans wish for the communication to occur. Yarden realizes that the 'fish' are trying to communicate the danger soon to be emanating from Dome and that action is required. Treet has been captured in Dome and is being tortured in a sensory deprivation chamber; while in the chamber he encounters the Divine Presence Who saves his life [and sanity], allowing him to be dumped on the steps of a local 'healer' when there is a change in power in the Nikolerous Hage. He is captured a second time by the leader of the Invisibles, but his former doctor is able to acquire his freedom through subterfuge and brazenness. Tvrdy and his followers move in with the Dhogs to begin striking back at the 'false' government ruled by Jamrog. Treet manages to join up with Tvyrdy and his factions and becomes a spiritual figurehead for many followers [especially the Dhogs] as he is proclaimed to be a Fierri come to help them. The rebellion begins to go poorly for Tvrdy and company; they are eventually herded into a 'last stand' situation after the Dhogs grow tired of fighting and abandon their allies. Other members of the Fierri complain of a growing sense of unease, which allows a fleet of balons to head to Dome to see if anything can be done to help Treet stop Dome's madness and attempted second attack of Fierra. Pizzle ends up coming up with a plan by which the fleet of balons will fly close to the roof of Dome in such a manner that the sympathic vibrations from their engines will cause the dome surrounding the city to collapse. The collapse of the dome will incapacitate the city's dwellers for about thirty minutes as they are not used to breathing the natural atmosphere of the planet. The plan works, and the Fierri are saved. Yarden tells Treet she loves him but she will be nothing more than a friend. Pizzle is finally able to marry the love of his life, Starla, and starts a publishing company amongst the Fierri. Treet falls in love with Jaire and the two become married after a leisurely ardent courtship. Crocker remains in the Blue Forest, unwilling to put forth the effort to have his mind healed.
Overall, it was a good book. Some of the writing in some parts seemed forced; some contrived. I disagree with Yarden's assessment of Crocker about Crocker being weak whereas Treet was strong. Treet only survived the conditioning/torture because the Divine Presence [God] saved him; Crocker did not have the help that Treet had to stand against the attempts of the Nikolerous to break his will and mind. It seemed like a petty comment on her part to make [granted, she was also basing it on Crocker's not being willing to push through the pain to have his mind restored. What she does not take into account is that Crocker might be feeling immense guilt over attempting to kill Treet despite how his conversation went with Yarden when Crocker described Calin's last moments]. After all of the insight that Yarden had had up to that point, her comments about Crocker seemed mean-spirited and petty to me.
It is always interesting to read about somebody attempting to describe a fictional character's 'salvation experience' because it almost always seems contrived. It is a very difficult experience to write about, let alone trying to describe a fictional character's coming to salvation. Some authors do a good job of it; some not so good. I think Lawhead made some noble efforts at describing the various salvation experiences; some worked better than others.
Overall, though, I felt it was a well-written book and has done a reasonable job of standing the test of time [for a reasonably 'early' Christian sci-fi novel]. It was obviously written for enjoyment with minimal levels of depth to it [in my opinion]; I do not think he was trying to win a 'spiritual enlightenment of the year award' with this novel [although I thought he made some good points dealing with sins of omission versus commission].
September 15, 2021
Three stars. It feels harsh yet justified. Something about the series never "clicked" for me. It felt like the carousel of characters didn't stop until halfway though this book. That, combined with muddy world descriptions meant it was a struggle to immerse myself in the world of Empyrion.
March 7, 2019
Good end to the story. Not a fantastic series but still fun. Be careful reading to avoid the sexual content in the first one though...
February 22, 2020
450 pages
October 3, 2021
Enjoyed this book- second part of the series.
October 24, 2022
Powerful. Great fantasy and strong emotional dealings with joy laced with pain and loss. Victory in prevailing
June 15, 2023
Another engrossing read! Such interesting themes about war and evil and how humans should respond.
August 12, 2023
I enjoyed this book, but I was a bit confused by it. Especially the very end. Is all of Empyrion hidden from time, and things that happened on the planet not that long after our day?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2024
Follows characters from Empyrion 1. Interesting reading. Science fiction but relatable. Great book
Want to read
July 29, 2024Warning s came to Pharaoh’s court. Yet they rejected Our signs completely. So We seized them the way a Powerful, Competent person would seize them.
May 24, 2025
Could have profited from a good editor. The story was messy and left important explanations unresolved. Nice writing style though.
Read
November 27, 2025Childhood read, saving for posterity!
December 3, 2021
A good story. I just didn’t enjoy the ending.
January 14, 2013
It's taken me a while to get back into the Empyrion series, but I was glad I finally did. I end up starting a series, then get sidetracked by something else and then eventually come back around to the series. This was another excellent read from Lawhead, though not up there with what I would call his masterpieces (Song of Albion, Skin Map). Everything I liked about the first book continued with this one, as he weaves politics into a world so unlike ours yet just like ours at the same time. The culture of the Fierri reminds me of the culture of the people from Ted Dekker's The Circle Series. The Created have such a connection with their Creator that they do nothing unless it for His glory. Everyone is created with a purpose, and that purpose is for the good of those around, as well as the glorification of the Creator. My favorite discussion in this book examined whether the evil city of Dome was worth being saved by the redeemed Fierri. Much like Jesus talked about, darkness needs light and cannot breed it on its own, and this plays a very central role in the latter events of the story.
Overall, a good read that delves into the beauty of Creation, the personability of the Creator, and the duty of the Created to Creation and the Creator.
Overall, a good read that delves into the beauty of Creation, the personability of the Creator, and the duty of the Created to Creation and the Creator.
January 9, 2016
This book felt as though it had been written as one with the first volume, but was forced into two by a publisher. The result was a bumpy beginning with little to no refresher/ transition from the end of the first--an icy plunge into the middle of a complex plot.
Lawhead's skill is in portraying Celtic values and Fairy connections with the manifest world in a variety of settings. The Fierri set up a perfect foil of civilizations--Dome, Crocker, and an ideal Eden of paradise. The power struggles in Dome contrast with the life of love and chosen servitude of Fierra and the bestial savagery of Crocker. Government and culture are the prevailing themes, rooted in seeking life connected with the Infinite.
Read if you read Empyrion or if a devoted Lawhead's fan.
Lawhead's skill is in portraying Celtic values and Fairy connections with the manifest world in a variety of settings. The Fierri set up a perfect foil of civilizations--Dome, Crocker, and an ideal Eden of paradise. The power struggles in Dome contrast with the life of love and chosen servitude of Fierra and the bestial savagery of Crocker. Government and culture are the prevailing themes, rooted in seeking life connected with the Infinite.
Read if you read Empyrion or if a devoted Lawhead's fan.
Read
April 30, 2021~Reread~
In comparison to the first book, I was disappointed with this conclusion. Most of what I remember from this series was in book 1 so there wasn't much that stuck with me when I originally read book 2. I found the characters to be pretty flat and the only real plot was related to the "bad guys" wanting to eradicate the "good guys" and vice versa. Neither party had complex reasoning as to why they are fighting the other, and that made them uninteresting to follow. The world-exploration elements that I loved in book 1 were almost completely absent, which was the biggest disappointment for me.
In comparison to the first book, I was disappointed with this conclusion. Most of what I remember from this series was in book 1 so there wasn't much that stuck with me when I originally read book 2. I found the characters to be pretty flat and the only real plot was related to the "bad guys" wanting to eradicate the "good guys" and vice versa. Neither party had complex reasoning as to why they are fighting the other, and that made them uninteresting to follow. The world-exploration elements that I loved in book 1 were almost completely absent, which was the biggest disappointment for me.
June 23, 2015
A good read however unless the previous book has been read some of the definitions would escape the reader. If I were to rate the series as a whole I would be more generous.
It did (this book) try to engage in an old philosophical debate: consequentialism versus deontology, and just for that it may be worth reading, though it didn't cover any new ground.
It did (this book) try to engage in an old philosophical debate: consequentialism versus deontology, and just for that it may be worth reading, though it didn't cover any new ground.
May 14, 2012
Excellent science fiction novel that wraps up Lawhead's Empyrion saga quite well. The story is exciting as the Travelers from Earth strive to prevent a nuclear war on Empyrion with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing yet make the resolution satisfying and believable.
May 18, 2013
I read this book a long time ago when I was a teenager. Have to say it still stands as one of the all out best science fiction books I have read to date. The world is as rich as the characters and the story just takes on a life of its own. Would definitely recommend to anyone.
October 5, 2007
I love Lawhead's Scifi!
July 30, 2011
A great sci-fi tale about the problems that arise when a colonization team goes through a wormhole. Intense, well-written, and fun.
July 27, 2012
This series is my absolute favorite from Lawhead! Have read multiple times.
March 29, 2019
Excellent. fast pace and a good read.
August 6, 2012
A relaxing fun read.
November 13, 2013
interesting completion for a story...
October 31, 2013
Sequel to The Search for Fierra, liked them both!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews