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I read Empire of Silence recently.

Pretty solid overall. It's the start of a 7-book Sun Eater series (plus novellas) about a space opera set 20,000 years in the future, where humanity has colonized a third of the galaxy.

And this is not a spoiler since it's from the first page: the protagonist blows up a sun at some future point in his story, resulting in the deaths of billions of people during war against aliens. It's written from his perspective in the future, as he goes into his life and how he got into that huge decision.

It's a slow-burn read. Excellent prose. Subverts a lot of expectations, while also having clear influences from books like Dune, and maybe Name of the Wind. Some of the characterization and plot details could be a bit stronger, at least for this opening book (can't comment on the full series yet).

Solid 4/5 stars imo.

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Discussion

Dakota 10mo ago

Lyn, would you generally consider yourself a fast reader? I find it’s hard for me to get into reading more, in part because I am a rather slow reader. I might get through 1-3 books in a year, which isn’t very many books read in a lifetime if you think about it. Sometimes it will take me so long to read a book, by the time I’ve finished it, I’ve often forgotten key details from the beginning or middle, which also makes the reading a bit less enjoyable. Any tips? Cheers.

Lyn Alden 10mo ago

Moderately fast, yeah.

I don't have many tips other than that I go through cycles. There are years where I read zero fiction, and other years where I read 10+ long books. And I don't watch much television, and limited movies.

With Empire of Silence I listened to it on audiobook, often while walking outside in the sun or things like that.

Even afwachten 10mo ago

Hi Lyn, making first baby steps in NOSTR. As a first post/reply: I have always been curious to know how you do research and where/how you keep your database of knowledge. Any software you can recommend for this?

Lyn Alden 10mo ago

I’m pretty analog about it. I’m good at collecting and filtering info; it’s one of my strengths among many other weaknesses. I focus on like a dozen specialists. An AI expert. An energy expert. A South American expert, etc. I keep track of what they say. And then I have various software tools like YCharts, FASTGraphs, to map out quantitative deals. The St Louis Fed “FRED” site is also great.

Diacone Frost 10mo ago

So WoT ... nice

Even afwachten 10mo ago

So you keep track of all that information in your head, not in a database? That’s seriously impressive! I wanted to like your post, but it seems that either Nostr or this client doesn’t support it. Anyway, I really appreciate all you do for the community—not just sharing knowledge but also guiding people with a thoughtful approach. Respect!

YODL 10mo ago

You’ve read a crapload of sci-fi, would be cool if you put out a list of some of your faves

ElvenWolf 10mo ago

sounds like it would be a good film series.

Sam Feder 10mo ago

Sounds a bit like Red Rising, thanks for the recommendation! Nostr book club it is.

Lyn Alden 10mo ago

Very different tone. Red rising has a ton more action and emotion and urgency. Empire of Silence is a slow burn semi-philosophical build up. Will appeal to different readers on average, even as I like both.

Basically, Red Rising feels like the author is micro dosing cocaine while writing it, while Empire of Silence has the vibe of a good French red wine, slipped slowly.

Sam Feder 10mo ago

Can vouch for the galactic coke binge vibes, especially in the latter books.

Sounds like a nice change of pace for a space wars series.

Deleted Account 10mo ago

I put it on hold. I love reading random suggestions

nout 10mo ago

If you are ready for a ride, I'd recommend this one - very niche iconic book that no one knows about. There are 2 books in the series. English translation kinda sucks, but it fits the theme 🙂

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5290503-the-night-club

Baerwaldt ⚡️ 10mo ago

I finished up the Jack Carr series which was 4.8/5 IMHO.

Hoopla offers the audiobook for the Empire of Silence series.

I’ll let her rip

TheObserver 10mo ago

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58416952-the-will-of-the-many

this one, for me, is on the same level of creativity than the mistborn series. Sadly, only the first book is published and we need to wait for the two others

Deleted Account 10mo ago

Started last night about a quarter way through, man, who hasn’t he stolen from. I am not too impressed. He even pilfered from mervyn peak’s Titus Groan.

Bewlay 10mo ago

Geez where do you get the time!

Dezibel 10mo ago

Sounds good, I’ll pick it up. Sounds like my kind of read. My fascination for the genre started with:

“In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him.”