The Big Empty

by James Luceno

The sole survivor of a failed intelligence mission, cyber-enhanced man Aksum Muse takes refuge on the planet Burst but finds himself to be the unwitting key to a coming stellar war.

Genres: Science Fiction

291 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

James Luceno is a New York Times bestselling author, best known for his novels and reference books connected with the Star Wars franchise and the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and novelisations of the Robotech animated television series. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and youngest child.

He has co-written many books with Brian Daley as Jack McKinney.

Reviews

[Jesse Toldness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Existential angst, machine religions, lots of different space cultures, it’s a worldbuilding-junkie wonderland. And you know what? Yes you should be reading it. James Luceno is one of those much-overlooked talents obscured by the fact that a lot of his work has been with licensed properties (Star Wars, Robotech [he’s half of “Jack McKinney”] etc.). He’s a hack in the greatest sense of the word, churning out quality work in places where common wisdom says there shouldn’t be quality work.

This, however is not one of his licensed works. This is set in an original universe, and you should read it because it is good.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hard to find but offers a super rich far-future cyberpunk universe, presented in a dense and matter-of-fact way. Very little ham-fisted exposition; it's all immersive context clues.

It's a minor part of the story but there's a very interesting take on the psychology of cloning. Some solid thriller-storytelling and twists, pretty solid portraiture of PTSD and touching messages about the influence of technology on identity.

It picks up pace toward the end, though I found the final resolution unsatisfying. I think it's a must-read for sci fi writers, and offers something unique for serious sci fi fans as well.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to enjoy this book, what with it's interesting setting and what not. But I couldn't get a grip on what this book is trying to tell me.
There are a million different plots going on in this book that you start to lose track of which one you should care about and the main characters suffer for it.
The main character himself isn't even interesting in the slightest and just comes off as a cheap knock off The Terminator and a toaster. There is no personality in this story and it is completely boring start to finish.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly ambitious novel tries to blend noir and cyberpunk but makes the mistake of being so laden with plots and sub-plots its not always easy to tell which story is supposed to be our primary concern. Some interesting ideas, but not helped by thin characterization.

[Stijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably didn't understand everything, but understood the scope. Massive, technical, blending different concepts. Great to finally read something that isn't Star Wars from him.