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A review by emily_gaynier
The Empress Capsule by R.K. Thorne
5.0
**2022**
I think I'm getting old because I just wanted Ellen to be like 30
a few days later
I figured out why Ellen's age bothers me. It's because the author tried so hard to make it based in reality and make Ellen seem extra special. Instead of making some kind of military school for toddlers, Ellen was not like other girls. I've read enough YA where age doesn't usually bother me but there also tends to be a good reason for teens to save the world. The whole situation around why Ellen is so young, doesn't feel like a good enough reason.
Also I'm not sure if this was fixed in later printings, but the back of the book says she's 22 while inside she says she's 21 and when you add some numbers together that Ellen provides, that says she's 23
**2019 Reread**
I loved this book just as much the second time around as I did the first time. I read it much slower this time, reading it over two days instead of inhaling it in less then one. I think I read it in after work one day.
I noticed a lot more this time around. I didn't remember anything about how freaky the songbirds were. The romance is still great.
I'm actually a little afraid to read the next book. I worried it will do something not fun between Ellen and Kael.
Read Infinity and Beyond: Black Hole - a book that sucks you in
*2018*
I need the next book NOW!
This was the best kind of story. I think Space Operas are really for me. This book read like playing a video game almost, at least the fight and infiltration scenes did. It really reminded me of the Mass Effect video games. The romance aspect of this story also worked really well. There was just enough angst and some pretty valid reasons for them not to just jump into bed together. I also really enjoyed that Ellen was the hardened war veteran while Kael was the one who was trying to control his emotions.
I think that this is what Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cumming was trying to be. It's an all female mercenary crew in space that's extremely badass, but are also kind and capable of great things.
I think the world building could've been a little better, but it didn't take away anything from the story. I also love Xi. I love AIs that have funny personalities and I can't wait to see how she grows as a character in the next book. I really like the technology in this world. I like how implants can do so much when it comes to changing thoughts or emotions. I kind of wish this book was more science heavy so I can learn more about why and how these things work. I really appreciated how Kael's chip was effecting him and it was explained by actual scientists in the book. It was something that would effect someone in todays world with the same possible results.
I need every sci-fi fan to read this now
I think I'm getting old because I just wanted Ellen to be like 30
a few days later
I figured out why Ellen's age bothers me. It's because the author tried so hard to make it based in reality and make Ellen seem extra special. Instead of making some kind of military school for toddlers, Ellen was not like other girls. I've read enough YA where age doesn't usually bother me but there also tends to be a good reason for teens to save the world. The whole situation around why Ellen is so young, doesn't feel like a good enough reason.
Also I'm not sure if this was fixed in later printings, but the back of the book says she's 22 while inside she says she's 21 and when you add some numbers together that Ellen provides, that says she's 23
**2019 Reread**
I loved this book just as much the second time around as I did the first time. I read it much slower this time, reading it over two days instead of inhaling it in less then one. I think I read it in after work one day.
I noticed a lot more this time around. I didn't remember anything about how freaky the songbirds were. The romance is still great.
I'm actually a little afraid to read the next book. I worried it will do something not fun between Ellen and Kael.
Read Infinity and Beyond: Black Hole - a book that sucks you in
*2018*
I need the next book NOW!
This was the best kind of story. I think Space Operas are really for me. This book read like playing a video game almost, at least the fight and infiltration scenes did. It really reminded me of the Mass Effect video games. The romance aspect of this story also worked really well. There was just enough angst and some pretty valid reasons for them not to just jump into bed together. I also really enjoyed that Ellen was the hardened war veteran while Kael was the one who was trying to control his emotions.
I think that this is what Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cumming was trying to be. It's an all female mercenary crew in space that's extremely badass, but are also kind and capable of great things.
I think the world building could've been a little better, but it didn't take away anything from the story. I also love Xi. I love AIs that have funny personalities and I can't wait to see how she grows as a character in the next book. I really like the technology in this world. I like how implants can do so much when it comes to changing thoughts or emotions. I kind of wish this book was more science heavy so I can learn more about why and how these things work. I really appreciated how Kael's chip was effecting him and it was explained by actual scientists in the book. It was something that would effect someone in todays world with the same possible results.
I need every sci-fi fan to read this now