"The action is solid, which is always a delight to see in prose, and I really enjoyed that Mason took the time to show how Shadow’s constant fights would tax her physically." -xa0The Literary Omnivore "I love, love, love this book. The Empress Game has everything one could want from a space opera: complex politics, heavy thematic exploration of power and murder, some awesome hand-to-hand combat scenes, and a hell of a female protagonist." - Kirkus "The author won me over. I shall certainly be looking for the next book in the trilogy." - Manhattan Book Review "One of the most fun books I’ve read all year" - Fangirl Nationxa0"Will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games and Jack Campbell books" - Fangtastic Books"Skillfully told." - xa0Forces of Geek "Kayla is the kind of female character that should be celebrated in novels. She’s strong, devoted, independent and intriguing. It’s almost impossible not to cheer for her." - xa0Impedimenta Magazine "A fresh and original view of an intergalactic empire." - Paper Droids "Swift, smooth writing delivers visceral adventure." - Blood Shed "I highly recommend this debut novel to all space opera fans, and even all science fiction and contemporary thriller fans." - JLGribble "Filled with strong women, fighting, and politics, this is a great novel for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a new universe.xa0 I loved The Empress Game." - Mugglenet "I couldn't put this book down." - Destiny Falls "Once I started reading her novel I found I couldn’t put it down." - Geekstronomy "This debut novel, the first volume in a trilogy, uses the backdrop of a winner-take-all female gladiatorial contest for the hand of a prince and a seat on the Galactic Ruling Council to tell a story that’s full of political intrigue, corrupt government officials, lost princesses, and unethical scientific experimentation. The forces who think they are good start by cheating—they get a fighting machine body double for their preferred candidate, not realizing that she is the lost princess of a conquered planet. Kayla Reunimon (aka Shadow Panthe) doesn’t share their agenda, but the secret that she would kill for or die to keep throws the group’s plans into chaos. Her aim is to fight, win, and escape, and she doesn’t understand that the best thing she can do to save her people is to continue this charade for the rest of her life.xa0VERDICTxa0This surprisingly complex political and personal narrative is slow to take off, but once it does, the plots, counterplot, and cheating will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Kayla’s complicated loyalties make her an intriguing heroine, and her layered story keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Recommended for space opera and sf romance fans." - Library Journal Review "Mason delivers an old fashioned space opera -- passion, politics, and the fate of Empires hanging on the strength and courage of a single woman.xa0 You'll want to reach immediately for book two." Tanya Huff, author of A Confederation of Valor "Fast, smart, complex, and fun as hell… one of the best books I've read this year. A near-perfect blend of romance, action, and interstellar politics in a well-thought-out and original universe with a tough-as-nails heroine you can't help but root for.” Rachel Bach, author of Fortune’s Pawn "Axa0wild ride. The author keeps the reader guessing and just when things seem impossible, more challenges are presented. Kayla is a likeable and exciting heroine and the book was a real pleasure to read." -xa0SF Reader “All in all, the Empress Game is the book of the summer!...if I could give the book more than five stars, I would.” -xa0Open Book Society “Sophisticated space opera. Psi powers. Holographic princess impersonation. Badass female protagonists who display said badassery in the physical AND political arenas. What else could you possibly ask for?” -xa0The Book Smugglers “The Empress Game...is space opera done right, , powered by impressively complex world-building and an intriguing and endearing heroine.” -xa0Barnes & Noble "The novel really shines when the fists and the knives come out." -xa0Skiffy and Fanty Rhonda Mason is a debut author of fantasy and space opera fiction, based in the US. Rhonda’s dark urban fantasy short story was published in the anthology Modern Magic. She has an M.A. from Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program where she focused on writing Speculative Fiction. She is published in short and long fiction, a member of SFWA and RWA, and works as an editor in the financial newswire sector.
Features & Highlights
One seat on the intergalactic Sakien Empire’s supreme ruling body, the Council of Seven, remains unfilled, that of the Empress Apparent. The seat isn’t won by votes or marriage. It’s won in a tournament of ritualized combat in the ancient tradition. Now that tournament, the Empress Game, has been called and the females of the empire will stop at nothing to secure political domination for their homeworlds. The battle for political power isn’t contained by the tournament’s ring, however. The empire’s elite gather to forge, strengthen or betray alliances in a dance that will determine the fate of the empire for a generation. With the empire wracked by a rising nanovirus plague and stretched thin by an ill-advised planet-wide occupation of Ordoch in enemy territory, everything rests on the woman who rises to the top.
Customer Reviews
Rating Breakdown
★★★★★
30%
(135)
★★★★
25%
(112)
★★★
15%
(67)
★★
7%
(31)
★
23%
(104)
Most Helpful Reviews
★★★★★
5.0
AFY4TU3XH662CMKGGUF4...
✓ Verified Purchase
This book finds the depth missing from other space operas
Disclaimer: I attended Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction graduate program with the author and consider her a friend. I purchased this book for full price, though I had the luck to snag it at a book signing a few days before the official release.
I read space opera, but I mostly read space opera by one particular author (Catherine Asaro’s Skolian Empire series), because I measure all else by that standard.
Now I read space opera by two authors.
Despite the use of “game” in the title and the tournament mentioned on the back cover, this book is nothing like THE HUNGER GAMES, so that’s not even a conversation worth having. What THE EMPRESS GAME is instead is a space opera that accomplishes something even missing from the Skolian Empire books: space empires that are real empires, rather than a blatant good versus evil match-up where you are obviously rooting for one side.
It is this level of depth that really drew me into Mason’s story. There are deliciously villainous characters aplenty (each who have their own layered motivations), but I appreciated the fact that I couldn’t point to one political faction and say, “These people are right and should get their own way.”
Every space opera should have a little bit of romance, and this book definitely checks that box. But again, it’s a realistic romance that doesn’t overwhelm the plot. While it’s obvious from the beginning which two characters are the intended romantic pairing, the situation develops organically and without unnecessary fanfare. I also appreciate that it is a partnership first and foremost.
The science fiction tech is not as detailed as I might otherwise like, but that probably has more to do with me as a reader who likes to geek out rather than any failing on the author’s part. On the other hand, her fight scenes are as dramatic, detailed, and REALISTIC as I could have hoped. This includes everything from hand-to-hand combat, knife and sword fights, to urban stealth assaults.
I highly recommend this debut novel to all space opera fans, and even all science fiction and contemporary thriller fans.
11 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
AHTRRTHURAAUDZRMYHP4...
✓ Verified Purchase
Delightful characters arcs, but with a generic plot despite it's interesting premise...
...The Empress Game manages to maintain its mystique, allure, and (most importantly) my interest. Set in a far flung realm of humanity that is eerily exotic and familiar, not unlike Herbert's Dune, The Empress Game thrusts its readers into a life or death struggle full of political intrigue, wonderfully nuanced world-building, and even a dash of love.
I really like how Mason keeps both her leads, Kayla and Malkor, guessing as to each other's thoughts and motives while giving us semi-omniscient readers in the loop both via their respective POV thoughts and the occasional clue from Kayla's Wyrd/Psychic brother, Corinth. Kayla is at first a wild animal backed into a corner and it is compelling to watch her slowly grow to trust the Octet, particularly Malkor, even despite being blackmailed and even betrayed at certain points. While it is convenient the access and history that Malkor has to the Empress-apparent and Isonde, herself, is more Space Opera than anything and conveniently is sidelined for the majority of the book, I still find the whole conspiracy fascinating, even if it is self-serving and transparent. The ethics of the situation are mostly handwaved away in favor of pragmatism and that can be dangerous we're not given a healthy dose of philosophy to go with it, but Mason manages to avoid most traps in that regard, keeping the story mostly personal and giving a healthy goal (the freedom of a subjugated people) to work towards.
I think the main problems with the novel are its villains... well, there's really only one, Dolan, and his lackeys. For the grand majority of the novel, he's this mysterious figure of dread who is only mentioned or seen in public. Once we finally get to the meat of the climax, his deeds are far too Bond villain and he's dealt with much to easily. I see the seeds of a possible return, should Mason wish to do so in her further novels, but in THIS book, it felt like she wrote herself into a corner and very quickly and conveniently threw herself a line. Kinda boring and unsatisfying. Still, despite that, the falling action has plenty to make me happy and amps the conflict for the next books in the series, which I eagerly await.
Earlier I made a comparison to Dune and, while it never quite reaches those heights, I think Mason is only a couple of steps below in terms of world building and style. I'm very impressed and looking forward to more from her as she firms up her voice.
My final verdict? Despite a few problems here and there and missed opportunities both with the slave pits and the tournament, itself, The Empress Game is a solid Space Opera that I look forward to reading more of in the future. Drama, action, space psykers. Fun!
9 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
AFQKNCLLMXYNQY52PFYN...
✓ Verified Purchase
A good start to a new sci-fi series
Long before I began reviewing books for Amazon, Science Fiction/Fantasy was my favorite genre. I will admit, though, that after having been long immersed in the wonderful worlds created by Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley, I find it difficult to approach the writing of other authors without making comparisons. However, since “Empress Game” by Rhonda Mason represents both the first of a series and a debut novel, it seemed worthwhile to give it a read.
I found several things delightful about this book, including the fact that the author has coined an expletive that handily replaces a much-overused four letter word. Somehow, for me, that makes it much easier to read without cringing. The basic premise of the story, which involves a major deception “in a good cause” is well presented, calling to mind the famous Burns quote, “The best laid schemes o’ Mice and Men gang aft agley”. Likewise, although there is romance, there is no gratuitous sex, and the violence is underplayed as far as descriptions go. Indeed, it is made clear that the Empress Game is a tournament, not intended for killing.
As in Bradley’s and McCaffrey’s worlds, the psionic talents of the inhabitants of the “Wyrd” planets comprise a key aspect of the plot, and the primary “evil” in the story relates to the attempt of the antagonists to develop and capitalize upon a psionic AI. This is going on despite the fact that a major galaxy-wide crisis has resulted from a plague of nanotech virus gone astray (as in our own environment, the techies of Mason’s universe seem to be very short on ethics or common sense).
As any devotee of the “series” mode of story-telling will be aware, this story does not include a “happy ending” or “neat wrap-up”. The author leaves plenty of loose ends that will presumably serve as launching pads for subsequent offerings in the series. Hopefully, readers will be enthralled enough by the characters and plot situations to not only enjoy this book, but look forward to its sequels.
9 people found this helpful
★★★★★
3.0
AGQE5HYE566RPVNYRHLG...
✓ Verified Purchase
Started out well, limped to a finish
The book starts out fairly well, but falls apart near the end. I enjoyed the beginning, but did not enjoy the romantic aspects of the story that
popped up near the end. There is a bit of a mad scientist vibe to the plot, but that doesn't happen until the second half of the book.
The ending is classic cliffhanger, as the book is the first in a series, but this reader won't be back for more.
7 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
AFIV4IDDEDQJGWIH4QOP...
✓ Verified Purchase
Loved it but hurry on the sequel!
Very well written new space story set far in the future with intergalactic Sakien Empire and the Council of Seven, the ruling body.
We begin on a backwater planet of Altair Tri where women warriors are fighting in the Blood Pit. Kayla Reunimon known on that planet and in the Pit as Shadow Panthe is the unbeatable and unstoppable gladiatrix. Unknown to her she is being watch by more than one party. Malkor is an IDC agent who wants her for his and his prince and princess's plot. Dolan's men want her for them. Who will she choose to go with so she can still protect her young brother Corinth? How can she continue to hide who they really are and where they are from?
But most of all, is there a solution beyond winning the Empress Game to convincing the empire what is right and just to be done?
Lots going on, fun high-tech gadgets, intrigue, a little romance, a little humor and more
7 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
AEJP73XQSOETXMVQBPJP...
✓ Verified Purchase
A strong kickoff
Always a pleasant surprise when a book exceeds your expectations. I feared this one would be a cheap Hunger Games knock-off, but that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. It’s way more interesting and the world is far more fleshed out than that comparison would imply….
Kayla Reunimon is not someone you want to mess with. Her family is dead, killed in a coup orchestrated by treacherous agents of the Sekian Empire in an attempt to bend the advanced technological expertise of the Wyrds to their own ends. Now exiled and presumed dead, Kayla is forced to fight for her life in the gladiatorial pits as the mysterious Shadow Panthe. It’s not much of a life, but it keeps Kayla and her little brother under the radar of the Imperial Diplomatic Corps…until a new Empress Game is called, summoning princesses from across the Empire to the capital to compete for the hand of the Emperor Apparent in brutal combat. Now Kayla finds herself recruited in a daring scheme to fix the games…and perhaps save her people in the process.
At first glance, the central premise of the book seems completely idiotic. A galactic empire that decides matters of succession via gladiatorial combat? Far-fetched is putting it kindly. Except that the author knows this is ridiculous, and so do her characters. Thus, the whole point of fixing the game to put the right person on the throne. There’s even a believable rationale for how that started, though it doesn’t do much to redeem the practice. I was a bit skeptical going into the book, but I have to say that the author won me over. I shall certainly be looking for the next book in the trilogy, especially since this one simply cannot stand on its own.
CONTENT: Minor profanity, along with some stronger fictional swearing. Occasional sexual innuendo, including a sex scene that is frank without being graphic. Strong violence.
6 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
AHZU5DPXK5VX3W6BI4YY...
✓ Verified Purchase
Five Stars
Highly recommend this book for fans of the genre, excited for the rest of the series.
3 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
AHQBG6JWMBTEEF5ZPT2Q...
✓ Verified Purchase
Kayla is a kick @$$ female protag. Worth the read, for sure.
It won't let me do 1/2 stars, so just know I would have put 4.5. There is some powerful storytelling in this book. I like the stakes and Kayla is pretty ass kicking. I would like more on the wyrd planet in the installments to come, but that indicates how tantalizing the story was for me. I like also that there is romance but it isn't some instant, "just add water" kind of a thing. In fact, there's a good deal of respect first. So some of the fight scenes were pretty intense on detail, but come on... if they weren't the fight-o-file sci fi folks would be bitching. The detail raised my interest.
I really can't wait to read the next one and see where it goes from here. Nice beginning for a new novelist.
3 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
AEMTCKBXBJ2MSYJWCN4A...
✓ Verified Purchase
Shades Of All We Have Read (not a bad thing)
A very nice beginning to a trilogy. Well written and paced nicely, the writing reminding me a bit of PIers Anthony's Bio of A Space Tyrant (5 stars). The yarn begins in the fighting pits of a far off planet where the Shadow Panthe fights to remain anonymous, fights to stay alive and fight to protect her younger brother's survival. She is then given a choice to help a princess consolidate her power through brains and brawn with those she is helping unaware of the her past and what this help will not only mean to them but to her and her brother.
There a few themes that are tired and that is where the one star is deducted as the originality of the plot is just not there - for if you have read books in this genre you will recognize them easily, but that is not to say that this book doesn't do what it does not well. I enjoyed it and the cliffhanger at the end (what is a trilogy without a cliffhanger) and it has peaked my interest to revisit this universe once more. when book two arrives.
Fun fast paced read for the science fiction fan you are if you are reading this review.
3 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
AGUFE5A4MAUCO3HMQNEA...
✓ Verified Purchase
Good Series Beginning For Space Opera Fans
When I first chose this book to review, I was initially put off by the title, because I thought that it was going to be a Hunger Games clone, and I am one of the few people in this world who apparently has no interest in the Hunger Games series. Thankfully, it's not like it at all. It is more of a space opera, more akin as another reviewer mentioned to Catherine Asaro's Skolian Empire in that the characters' backstories are just as interesting as the current plot (or subplot). The setting isn't static, and there's interesting world-building begun (this is obviously the beginning of a series) that can lead to a lot of off-shoot stories if the author handles them correctly.
I found this to be one of those books that once you start reading, time passes without you really realizing it. And I was surprised at that, because I was reading a paper book, when for the past couple of years most of my reading has been mainly ebooks and I wasn't quite sure if dead tree versions would still hold my interest as well, since I can't fiddle with the type size and fonts.
I'll definitely be looking for the next book by this author.
