Dread Empire's Fall : The Praxis

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years, the initials W.W. may not resonate with you as an impressive science fiction writer in the new wave of space opera - W.W. probably brings to mind a previously mild-mannered high school science teacher who became a multi-millionaire after producing high grade methamphetamine to pay for his cancer treatment. Nothing at all like that W.W., our novelist Walter Jon Williams is instead a master at crafting fascinating and complicated space opera battles. Published in 2002, The Praxis is the first novel in the Dream Empire's Fall series and introduces the reader to the Shaa, a powerful race who have led the Empire for eons, ruling humanity and other races. Their philosophy is the Praxis, based on obedience and hierarchy (not too dissimilar to how law firms, investment firms, and accountancy companies operate). But it's the last days of the Shaa, with a civil war heralding the end of the Empire. The Naxids, an insectoid race battle with every race after the last of the Great Masters passes. It wouldn't be real space opera without an intense look at human interpersonal relationships, and the plot follows Lieutenant Gareth Martinez, a naval officer and Cadet Sula, a female pilot and head of the Sula Clan, also known as Lady Sula. They launce a rescue of a yachtsman, Blitsharts (yes, that name makes us laugh too!) and over the recuse Martinez courts Sula with comedy and literature. If you're after some fresh space opera, you can't go wrong with the Praxis.