by Ron Jacobs
Empire Vol. 1 is a very nice set of short stories written by RB. They are the first phase of the Empire Project. The Empire Project is described on the RB's Universe page as the pre-publication promotion for the novel that RB is soon to be writing. The stories range from a sort of top-secret motif to a Military setting and finally to a destination far in the future after the Empire has ended. The very last piece of this Volume is the appendix which is filled with the Imperial History (Volumes 1 & 2) and the Imperial Lineage. For people who love to look at a world and learn its history and its influences this section will appeal to you.
RB has put the book together rather well I have to say. The pictures that go with each set of stories are quite nice. The pictures are: Mathew and Sarah, R.A.I. 1082, a SAPAW, the ISS JilquÃ, the ISS Utopia, the ISS Venmar, the ISS Venmar II, the ISS Venmar III, the ISS Venmar IV, and Juroh, a bonus picture in the appendix is of the Imperial Flag flying over what looks like a housing complex. These set the tone for each story. Before you read the story “SAPAWs” look at the picture of a SAPAW at the front of the section and before you read the story “Later” look at Juroh to get to know the character.
The stories are very imaginative and well written. RB paints wonderful pictures with his words and makes you think in new “Imperial” ways. It is a very nice read through and any science fiction fan will enjoy the read. He is planning a second volume so stay keyed in to here news on it. I love this even though there are some errors (always grammatical and in the process of being edited) it is a beautiful set of stories for a science fiction lover.
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