Archive for the ‘Empress of Mijak’ Category

This is a spoiler conscious review of Empress of Mijak by Karen Miller.

Empress is book one in the Godspeaker Trilogy.

You will either love this story or hate this story.  I do not see any middle ground because it is such a different tale.  Now, for our readers who are fans of Star Wars and have read Karen Miller’s Star Wars books there are two things you need to know.  First, Empress is a fantasy epic, which means this is first and foremost a story.  It is lengthy.  It covers many years and is mainly the story of the character Hekat.  Being a fantasy epic, the plot is developed more slowly.  This is very different from a Star Wars novel that usually covers a short period of time.  Second, this novel is harsh and dark.  You get a glimpse of Miller’s dark writing style in the Gambit Duology with the harshness of Lanteeb, but Lanteeb is a utopian paradise compared to Mijak.  Before our Star Wars readers read this series, know that it is a fantasy epic and quite harsh.

If you like dark twisted cultures to read, you will love this story.  Without giving too much away, Mijak is very religious culture, and there God is harsh who viciously punishes sinners and required an incredible amount of sacrifices.  The God works through Godspeakers, their priest, and its chosen people.  The culture of this novel is very well developed.  This culture is defined in minute details.  The depth and richness of this culture makes the book engrossing.  You are pulled into this world.

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