The Dragon's Nine Sons (Celestial Empire) - Softcover

Chris Roberson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844165248 ISBN 13: 9781844165247

Publisher: Solaris, 2008

Synopsis

With Imperial China and Mexica competing for control of space, a disgraced Chinese naval captain and a commando who knows too much are assigned to a suicide mission, to pilot a salvaged Mexica craft laden with explosive to Xolotl, the asteroid stronghold of their enemies, but when they discover dozens of Chinese prisoners destined as human sacrifices, their mission becomes a rescue one instead. Original.

About this title

About the Author:

Chris Roberson's novels include SET THE SEAS ON FIRE (Solaris, 2007), HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE (Pyr, 2005), THE VOYAGE OF NIGHT SHINING WHITE (PS Publishing, 2006), and PARAGAEA: A PLANETARY ROMANCE (Pyr, 2006), and he is the editor of the anthology ADVENTURE VOL. 1 (MonkeyBrain Books, Nov 2005). Roberson has been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction, twice for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and twice for the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History Short Form (winning in 2004 with his story "O One." He runs the independant press MonkeyBrain books with his partner.

From Publishers Weekly:

Roberson's latest (after Set the Seas on Fire) takes a standard Dirty Dozen plot that contrasts awkwardly with its ornate Chinese vs. Aztec interplanetary milieu. Two of the Dragon Empire's dissident officers, space captain Zhuan Jie and troop commander (or bannerman) Yao Guanzhong, are tapped to infiltrate and destroy an enemy asteroid base. But before they can blow up the rock, they must first master their squadron of outcasts and improvise the rescue of dozens of prisoners marked for blood sacrifice. Cogently choreographed action and vividly drawn opposing cultures are intriguing (for instance, Mexica spacecraft are hardwired to work only when primed with human blood) but Roberson's subtly distant tone, heavy-handed foreshadowing and narrow focus leave readers struggling to properly grasp the larger conflict. Tight, fully resolved character arcs leave few direct openings for the epic series the book supposedly begins. There's potential here, but little polish and less context. (Feb.)
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About this edition

• Publisher: Solaris
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1844165248
• ISBN 13: 9781844165247
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 432