The Sundering (Book 2 of Dread Empire's Fall) by Walter Jon Williams
01/12/2003 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Earthlight/Simon and Schuster. 452 page enlarged paperback. Price: £10.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-7434-6125-8. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check
out website: www.earthlight.co.uk
'The Sundering' is the continuation
of the coup in the Praxis Empire with the human/terrain side making
something of a comeback against the largely unseen alien Naxids.
We follow this crisis through the provincial
but rising through the ranks Lord Gareth Martinez and Lady Caroline Sula, who
has a career change from pilot to ground terrorist as well as concealing a secret
of her own.
 After
organising the strategy for a victorious battle against the Naxids,
Martinez spends some time in the capital world Zanshaa with Sula
before duty calls and arranged marriages for position take over
from any feelings from the heart.
At political level, this element is straight forward enough
for even the least politically motivated reader to stay interested in although
this reviewer does find it odd that such a respite can happen despite the apparent
danger of invasion. Then again, this is a society built up on social status and,
unless you're recognised, I doubt if you'd rise up through the ranks.
Walter
Jon Williams has always had good story-telling ability although I found in places
here and there, book 2 was somewhat forced especially in terms of explaining detail
rather than incorporating it more into the story. Sula's espionage techniques
aren't that far removed from our present century although some of the technology
would make it a lot easier had her team knew how to use it properly.
What
is still disturbing is the presentation of only one side of this war. Although
it's understandable and very probable that Williams wants to display the motivation
of one albeit human side, it says nothing about the Naxids other than that they're
the bad aliens out to administer an apparent brutal regime. No doubt more
evidence of this will be in book 3 but it is a shame that we don't really see
enough of this enemy to make up our own minds as to whose side we should be supporting.
As an example of space opera, it's not altogether bad even if a little predictable
in places. I have a feeling that Williams will no doubt build up and pull
the rug from complacency in plot development any time now.
GF Willmetts 
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