Summary
Syl Hellias; an Illyri, the first of her kind to be born on Earth. Paul Kerr: a human, dedicated to his people's resistance of the alien invasion. Brought together by chance they formed the strongest of the bonds. Now they are to be punished for that love.
Exiled to the outermost reaches of the universe, Syl and Paul must each make journeys that will lead them to the horrifying truths harbored at the heart of the Illyri Empire. And to force with the power shake the universe to it's very core.
Review
Okay, so the start of October going on to December-ish I knew it was going to all about Empire, the second book in The Chronicles of the Invaders. SO around mid-late October - I have such a bad memory - the UK cover was revealed by the Chronicles Champions and I am simply lost for words, ESPECIALLY for the UK cover. It's very rare - and I have personally experienced this myself - for the UK cover editions to be, well, better than the US. BUT this cover is gorgeous, just look at how amazing it is. I always see covers to fore-shadow what the book is going to be about and I know it's not always true, but in this case it kinda is. Come on, it clearly shows Syl - of course - in another Illyr planet, BUT wait, not just any planet in another weird-ish wormhole, it's the MARQUE...The Sisterhood. And that is how the journey for Syl and Paul begins.
From the way Conquest had ended, leaving us all on such a shocking and totally unexpected cliffhanger, it was a great relief for Empire to pick up from there. Though not exactly in that time frame and location, but non other than Syl getting in a bit of trouble with the "Elite, or Gifted" at the Sisterhood, those amongst the Novices. Conquest had simply provided us the pieces to the puzzle, Empire gave us a chance to find those that were missing or could they have been hidden from mankind? And the Illyr? In Conquest a huge discovery was made with the parasites that fed on human and Illyr life source, but that was just the discovery, what is the true purpose of those organism to be amongst mankind? And what does the Sisterhood, more like Syrene have in mind for Ex-Governor Andrus? All these questions pooling in my mind from just the first couple of chapters. Guys, this is going to be one helluva ride.
Syl and Ani thrust into the sisterhood, embrace it or be wary of what is hidden from the naked eye? Their friendship, sisterhood was being tested, changing course of their loyalty. It killed me seeing both of them changing, evolving to different people into different worlds though they shared living quarters together, they became unaware of each others emotions, and that is what hurt the most, seeing them inseparable in the first book to seeing them so different, and that is something that was risky but it was needed, nothing is perfect. AND THAT ENDING GAH. Paul and Steven given no choice but to be taken from the resistance - an organisation hell bent on defeating those who conquered there world - and sent to the brigade to work amongst those who they once fought against.
What I loved about Empire was that even in this novel, all supporting characters that were introduced in here played a big part in making Paul and Syl in to who they are now. Thula, one crazy and quite humorous guy who trust Paul but not so much of Stevens piloting - oh did I say piloting *hehehe* - Peris, a familiar face who will do anything to save his people, Rizza, one bad-ass shooter and that says it all. Tiray a Illyr who motives are unclear but sooner or later we all find out. We also got to meet previous character who still kicked ass uhmm Meira, boy was I glad we saw more of her, got to know more about her. And she didn't fail to save Syl and Paul at a certain time. No matter how far, or how many planets Syrene the Archmage and Vena the head Sectruit have between them and Syl and no matter how many appearances they have in Empire, they NEVER failed to make Syl's life a living hell. Oh Vena has big plans for Syl Hellias and let's not forget Meira. Oh boy.
There where a numerous amount of amazing parts in Empire, and some very interesting characters who I thought couldn't make themselves reach the list right next to Vena and Syrene, and we all know what kind of list that is. None other than Oriel, lets just say she has not got a soft spot for Syl or anything to do with Syl. And Dessa, sweet sweet, cunning Dessa, GAHHH that was very unexpected, though I was very wary of her and at points shouted at Syl to not trust her. Oh and Tanit, and Sarea ugh SO MANY. Throughout most of the novel there was a lot of information to remember and reference back to make sure you were right, though at some point the information was amazing to read about, again John and Jennifer have done an amazing job added a hint of fantasy to somewhat parts of reality, and it was awesome. But at other parts it was too much to remember.
I loved how Empire didn't focus on Syl and Paul love life, didn't make the bases of this book around that. But much more, which you don't see that often. Though at times, yes they did think about each other but it wasn't every single page. And I like that, they prioritized what was important and the time. Syl uncovering the truth behind the Sisterhood and discovering the First Five, which was somewhat unexpected to what she found and a lot was COMPLICATED than EVER. And Paul, discovering unknown locations and going on suicide missions to find out what Aregeon really is, and what really lies behind all these wormholes and what link it really has with the Sisterhood. Oh how the Sisterhood has taken over and have so many undercover links with the Military, the Corps and how Syrene is about to make one more link to someone who Syl has the only connect left to family. Will Syl be able to save all those she loved from death and destruction? Will Paul be able to save Syl from the hands of the Sisterhood? and what is behind the wormhole that leads to the unknown Derith? I guess they're all about to find out.
Empire - John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard 4.5 Stars
