Starts slow but sets up an extremely interesting universe.

I haven’t fallen in love with a sci-fi book like this since Dune. I knew from PAGE ONE that this book would be a 5 star read and I WAS NOT WRONG. That opening section was one of the best starts to a book I’ve ever read. Hooked INSTANTLY. And a few chapters in, I knew that this would be a reading experience that I wanted to cherish and savor because I could already sense that this would possibly be my favorite book of the year and definitely land itself in my list of favorites PERIOD. This book reinvigorated me. I was feeling so bored in some of the books I’ve read recently. Just not loving reading as much and getting tired of the books I kept picking up. But once I started this one, it was like I woke up from a coma. This sci-fi epic makes me want to shove this book in everyone’s face and make them read it. Every element worked for me: the classic sci-fi elements, aliens, xenobites, politics, Roman vibes, major Dune energy, tried and true sci-fi cliches that never miss, Caesar-esk narrator but Anakin protagonist, gladiators but not cringe, witty and intelligent characters that somehow are still stupid, original takes on stereotypes, new inventive sci-fi elements. I LOVED IT ALL. Picking up the next book IMMEDIATELY.

I’m not usually into sci-fi but this novel hooked me from the beginning and left me wanting more. Great book