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The Indranan War #2
After the Crown
The adrenaline-fueled, Star Wars-style sequel to Behind the Throne, a new space adventure series from author K.B. Wagers.
Former gunrunner-turned-Empress Hail Bristol was dragged back to her home planet to fill her rightful position in the palace. With her sisters and parents murdered, the Indranan empire is on the brink of war. Hail must quickly make alliances with nearby worlds if she has any hope of surviving her rule.
When peace talks turn violent and Hail realizes she's been betrayed, she must rely on her old gunrunning ways to get out of trouble. With help from an old boss and some surprising new allies, she must risk everything to save her world.
Former gunrunner-turned-Empress Hail Bristol was dragged back to her home planet to fill her rightful position in the palace. With her sisters and parents murdered, the Indranan empire is on the brink of war. Hail must quickly make alliances with nearby worlds if she has any hope of surviving her rule.
When peace talks turn violent and Hail realizes she's been betrayed, she must rely on her old gunrunning ways to get out of trouble. With help from an old boss and some surprising new allies, she must risk everything to save her world.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2016
About the author
K.B. Wagers
11 books603 followersK.B. Wagers is the author of the Indranan & Farian War trilogies with Orbit Books and the new NeoG novels from Harper Voyager. They hold a bachelor's degree in Russian Studies and a second-degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu. A native of Colorado, K.B. lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with their partner and a crew of recalcitrant cats. In between books, they can be found attempting to learn Spanish, dying in video games, dancing to music, and scribbling new ideas in their bullet journal. They are represented by Andrew Zack of The Zack Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
June 6, 2017
An excellent second book that is both fast paced and filled with action.
After the Crown picks up immediately following the events of the first book, Behind the Throne. As it turns out, the internal strife plaguing Hail's rule is not over, and the war with the Saxons has only just begun.
This second book is more action oriented than the first one, and I thought it was a very strong. That said, it is also obviously and unapologetically a middle book, which leaves a large part of the story still waiting for a conclusion.
One of the things I liked about this book is that it feels like finally we get to see a bit more of Hail's personality, and a better understanding of who she is, and why she acts the way she does. In this respect I thought Beyond the Throne leaned on the side of telling instead showing. After the Crown shifts that balance somewhat and it greatly improved my enjoyment of the story.
After the first book, I was undecided about continuing the series, but this book made me glad that I did, and has made me look forward to the concluding installment.
After the Crown picks up immediately following the events of the first book, Behind the Throne. As it turns out, the internal strife plaguing Hail's rule is not over, and the war with the Saxons has only just begun.
This second book is more action oriented than the first one, and I thought it was a very strong. That said, it is also obviously and unapologetically a middle book, which leaves a large part of the story still waiting for a conclusion.
One of the things I liked about this book is that it feels like finally we get to see a bit more of Hail's personality, and a better understanding of who she is, and why she acts the way she does. In this respect I thought Beyond the Throne leaned on the side of telling instead showing. After the Crown shifts that balance somewhat and it greatly improved my enjoyment of the story.
After the first book, I was undecided about continuing the series, but this book made me glad that I did, and has made me look forward to the concluding installment.
April 15, 2017
Enjoyed the heck out of this, and waiting impatiently for the third book.
My only complaint is about the editing. If you made a drinking game out of every mention of "X raised an eyebrow", you would be utterly sloshed and on the floor after 3 chapters. Your liver would give out before the end of the book.
The eyebrow-raising needs to stop. Other facial quirks exist! An editor should have pointed this out.
But otherwise, it's fun. Really, really fun!
My only complaint is about the editing. If you made a drinking game out of every mention of "X raised an eyebrow", you would be utterly sloshed and on the floor after 3 chapters. Your liver would give out before the end of the book.
The eyebrow-raising needs to stop. Other facial quirks exist! An editor should have pointed this out.
But otherwise, it's fun. Really, really fun!
September 29, 2017
Sometimes, a hold at the library comes in much, much earlier than I expect, so I decided to read this now, instead of waiting.
So, this picks up very soon after the end of book 1, and then it's non-stop rushing to the end of this book, with more revealed, and much more to do, which will no doubt be covered in book 3.
Again, light fare, with lots of action. I can't keep the names of the guards straight, except for Emmory, Zin and Cas, and don't even get me started on the matriarchs. I could not remember who was on Hail's side and who wasn't amongst these women. These books have a lot of players, and though I enjoyed the fast pace, I found it harder to get a feel for some of the supporting characters.
Hail ends up relying on her many years of experience as a gunrunner and captain of her own ship in this book. No minding her Ps and Qs at the palace, for which I was glad. She and her entourage are doing "lots of running" (to quote a companion from Dr. Who.) And the entourage gets bigger.
I'll probably read the last in the series, as it's fluffy fare, and it was what I needed before starting something a little heavier.
So, this picks up very soon after the end of book 1, and then it's non-stop rushing to the end of this book, with more revealed, and much more to do, which will no doubt be covered in book 3.
Again, light fare, with lots of action. I can't keep the names of the guards straight, except for Emmory, Zin and Cas, and don't even get me started on the matriarchs. I could not remember who was on Hail's side and who wasn't amongst these women. These books have a lot of players, and though I enjoyed the fast pace, I found it harder to get a feel for some of the supporting characters.
Hail ends up relying on her many years of experience as a gunrunner and captain of her own ship in this book. No minding her Ps and Qs at the palace, for which I was glad. She and her entourage are doing "lots of running" (to quote a companion from Dr. Who.) And the entourage gets bigger.
I'll probably read the last in the series, as it's fluffy fare, and it was what I needed before starting something a little heavier.
February 6, 2017
This debut series from K.B. Wagers continues to surprise and impress me with her story-telling ability and political intrigue on a level that most established authors don't even have. In the first book, Behind the Throne, Hail comes back to her homeland to become the leader of her people after being away for 20 years as a gun-runner. In After the Crown, a war with a rival civilization, and people that want to oust her as leader creates a much more adventure packed story as we get to meet a lot of Hail's old gun-runner friends. The great political intrigue from Behind the Throne is present but the number of characters is basically doubled in After the Crown with more action.
I think that readers of political intrigue science fiction and space opera type stories would enjoy these two books. There are some similarities between this series and Pierce Brown's Red Rising series at times, mostly the pace. Wagers does a great job of keeping things interesting and moving along with her stories without much down time. She also explores the interpersonal relationships between Hail and her subordinates like Brown does with his characters. I just really like a lot of the characters in this story. I could probably name about 10 characters that I enjoy because Wagers focuses so much on the friendships and that is what I love to read.
I feel that After the Crown is a little less polished than Behind the Throne and my main concern about her work. Even though I knew everything that was going on there were times during dialogues where I got a little confused with who was saying what. There are so many characters involved in these governments and militaries that I would be lying if I knew every person that they talked about. In fact, when certain characters died, I had to remind myself who that character even was. I also think that the antagonist gets a little murky here and there at times because of the multiple amounts of people against Hail. I think if the book focused a little more on Wilson, one of the main antagonists, it would have felt a little more clear. Also, this isn't a science fiction book that will blow you away by its concepts, it is purely a space opera.
Overall, I think this is a solid second book in her series. I've enjoyed both books very much. I am still loving the India-based culture and the decision-making by the main character. With a lot of books I can never tell if a man or woman is writing the book but with these books, I can definitely tell it is a woman writer. The reason I can tell it is a woman writer is because the decisions and actions by the main character are usually not the options I would choose as a man. Her choices make complete sense and Wagers writes this book that keeps surprising me by using female logic to solve problems that sometimes I would never think about and I appreciate that.
I hope to read a lot more from K.B. Wagers in the future. Along with Becky Chambers, I think she is one of the most impressive new female science fiction writers out there. She just tells a great story, with great characters, that care about each other.
4/5
16/25 Possible Score
4 - Plot
4 - Characters
3 - World Building
3 - Writing Style
2 - Heart & Mind Aspect
It took me 8hrs and 18m to read this book at a pace of 46.8 pages per hour, so it was a rather quick read for me.
I think that readers of political intrigue science fiction and space opera type stories would enjoy these two books. There are some similarities between this series and Pierce Brown's Red Rising series at times, mostly the pace. Wagers does a great job of keeping things interesting and moving along with her stories without much down time. She also explores the interpersonal relationships between Hail and her subordinates like Brown does with his characters. I just really like a lot of the characters in this story. I could probably name about 10 characters that I enjoy because Wagers focuses so much on the friendships and that is what I love to read.
I feel that After the Crown is a little less polished than Behind the Throne and my main concern about her work. Even though I knew everything that was going on there were times during dialogues where I got a little confused with who was saying what. There are so many characters involved in these governments and militaries that I would be lying if I knew every person that they talked about. In fact, when certain characters died, I had to remind myself who that character even was. I also think that the antagonist gets a little murky here and there at times because of the multiple amounts of people against Hail. I think if the book focused a little more on Wilson, one of the main antagonists, it would have felt a little more clear. Also, this isn't a science fiction book that will blow you away by its concepts, it is purely a space opera.
Overall, I think this is a solid second book in her series. I've enjoyed both books very much. I am still loving the India-based culture and the decision-making by the main character. With a lot of books I can never tell if a man or woman is writing the book but with these books, I can definitely tell it is a woman writer. The reason I can tell it is a woman writer is because the decisions and actions by the main character are usually not the options I would choose as a man. Her choices make complete sense and Wagers writes this book that keeps surprising me by using female logic to solve problems that sometimes I would never think about and I appreciate that.
I hope to read a lot more from K.B. Wagers in the future. Along with Becky Chambers, I think she is one of the most impressive new female science fiction writers out there. She just tells a great story, with great characters, that care about each other.
4/5
16/25 Possible Score
4 - Plot
4 - Characters
3 - World Building
3 - Writing Style
2 - Heart & Mind Aspect
It took me 8hrs and 18m to read this book at a pace of 46.8 pages per hour, so it was a rather quick read for me.
January 9, 2017
There's at least one blurb comparing it to Ann Leckie's Ancillary trilogy, but really there's nothing that deep here, no serious intrigue or big ideas.. It reminds me more of the Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown, another set of books who many people really liked, and even scored good reviews, but which fell flat for me. It has action, sure, but this is a book that you'll only like if you really like the interactions between the characters. To me they feel pretty shallow. Much of the book comes in repeating cycles where Hail just can't handle all the bloodshed in her name, but Emmory (or in this book, old smuggling buddy Hao) says she needs to be strong and that's all it takes to get her spoiling for a fight which leaves her back at square one emotionally - rinse, repeat. I just don't really need angsty space-opera.
For a more realistic depiction of human emotion (from a non-human) do try out the Ancillary trilogy. For sci-fi plus great character relationships, try Long Way to a Small Angry Planet.
For a more realistic depiction of human emotion (from a non-human) do try out the Ancillary trilogy. For sci-fi plus great character relationships, try Long Way to a Small Angry Planet.
April 14, 2017
Wagers continues her fabulous space opera trilogy in this second book, which is just as intense as the first though the content takes a different focus. Whereas Behind the Throne emphasized political intrigue with action and assassination attempts, After the Crown has fewer politics and far more explosions and spaceships; both books are excellent. I continue to love the world-building here, as we step beyond the India-derived Indranan Empire and see more of the Saxons and Cheng. I love Hail's BodyGuards and enjoyed meeting more rogues from Hail's life as a gunrunner. This is, without question, one of my new favorite series and I'm excited for the end of 2017 and the release of the 3rd book.
December 16, 2016
Earlier this year, I read Behind The Throne by K B Wagers. It’s an excellent slice of science fiction adventure, with a cracking narrative and characterisation. The sequel is upon us and I can confirm that book one was no fluke. After the Throne is just as brilliant, just as exciting and just as much fun as its literary sibling.
When we last left Empress Hail Bristol, she was still coming to terms with her new lot in life. Key members of her family had been killed leaving her as the new ruler of the Indranan empire. For someone more used to bar room brawls and shady backroom deals, royal life is a bit of a minefield, especially when your empire is coming apart at the seams. Watching how Hail’s character continues to evolve is fascinating. She is beginning to understand the ramifications of being Empress but you can also clearly see that she is relying more and more on her skills as a gunrunner. Turns out the cut and thrust of politics and crime are not that far apart. The weight of responsibility weighs heavily on our heroine, however Hail remains fiercely loyal to her subjects, family and friends. When they suffer, and in some instances, die in her name, she carries the burden of their loss. There is little subterfuge in the new monarch, what you see is what you get. What is most interesting to note is that Hail learns she has to be far sneakier as a royal than she ever had to be as a criminal.
I think the thing I enjoyed most about this sequel was the fact we get to learn more about Hail’s past life as a gunrunner and the people she used to work with. Circumstance finds the young empress on the move, and the criminal underworld she returns to are a genuinely eclectic bunch. There are a whole host of mercenaries, smugglers, pit fighters and big bosses. I warmed to them all immediately. My personal favourite is a character called Johar. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t think I have the adequate language to properly explain how kick-ass this character is. You’ll just have to trust me.
On a side note – once the televisual juggernaut that is Game of Thrones inevitably comes to an end, HBO needs to be looking at The Indranan War to fill the gap. Ok, it may not be fantasy (it is most definitely science fiction), but this series it pulls off that Herculean task in having that same massive scope as its genre cousin. Are you listening top television executives? These books are screaming out for development. Hmmm, I need to start pondering my dream cast now. Who would be the best choice for Hail? Or Emmory? Or Zin? This needs some serious thought.
K B Wagers has created an ongoing narrative that works well on multiple levels. Yes, there are epic space battles and frenetic gunfights to enjoy but there is also plenty of social commentary to relish. The gender swapped Indranan society allows the author to deftly explore many of inequalities that still exist in our society.
I think After The Crown has everything I could want in a sequel. More political intrigue, more fighting and more wonderful character development. I didn’t know what to expect when I read book one, Behind the Throne, but I was quickly hooked. Book two is more of the same. K B Wagers has an ear for snappy dialogue and real skill when it comes to crafting vivid action sequences. Built on the foundations of rock solid world building and well-crafted plotting, this makes for something a bit special. Behind the Throne is great, but I reckon After the Crown might be even better. I suppose that is the real trick to a sequel. You up the ante, continue to develop the plot, and make sure a reader ends up caring even more about the characters and their fate. This novel has left me hungry for more, I can’t wait to discover what happens next. This is pitch perfect science fiction that blends action, adventure, political intrigue and more than a little heart.
When we last left Empress Hail Bristol, she was still coming to terms with her new lot in life. Key members of her family had been killed leaving her as the new ruler of the Indranan empire. For someone more used to bar room brawls and shady backroom deals, royal life is a bit of a minefield, especially when your empire is coming apart at the seams. Watching how Hail’s character continues to evolve is fascinating. She is beginning to understand the ramifications of being Empress but you can also clearly see that she is relying more and more on her skills as a gunrunner. Turns out the cut and thrust of politics and crime are not that far apart. The weight of responsibility weighs heavily on our heroine, however Hail remains fiercely loyal to her subjects, family and friends. When they suffer, and in some instances, die in her name, she carries the burden of their loss. There is little subterfuge in the new monarch, what you see is what you get. What is most interesting to note is that Hail learns she has to be far sneakier as a royal than she ever had to be as a criminal.
I think the thing I enjoyed most about this sequel was the fact we get to learn more about Hail’s past life as a gunrunner and the people she used to work with. Circumstance finds the young empress on the move, and the criminal underworld she returns to are a genuinely eclectic bunch. There are a whole host of mercenaries, smugglers, pit fighters and big bosses. I warmed to them all immediately. My personal favourite is a character called Johar. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t think I have the adequate language to properly explain how kick-ass this character is. You’ll just have to trust me.
On a side note – once the televisual juggernaut that is Game of Thrones inevitably comes to an end, HBO needs to be looking at The Indranan War to fill the gap. Ok, it may not be fantasy (it is most definitely science fiction), but this series it pulls off that Herculean task in having that same massive scope as its genre cousin. Are you listening top television executives? These books are screaming out for development. Hmmm, I need to start pondering my dream cast now. Who would be the best choice for Hail? Or Emmory? Or Zin? This needs some serious thought.
K B Wagers has created an ongoing narrative that works well on multiple levels. Yes, there are epic space battles and frenetic gunfights to enjoy but there is also plenty of social commentary to relish. The gender swapped Indranan society allows the author to deftly explore many of inequalities that still exist in our society.
I think After The Crown has everything I could want in a sequel. More political intrigue, more fighting and more wonderful character development. I didn’t know what to expect when I read book one, Behind the Throne, but I was quickly hooked. Book two is more of the same. K B Wagers has an ear for snappy dialogue and real skill when it comes to crafting vivid action sequences. Built on the foundations of rock solid world building and well-crafted plotting, this makes for something a bit special. Behind the Throne is great, but I reckon After the Crown might be even better. I suppose that is the real trick to a sequel. You up the ante, continue to develop the plot, and make sure a reader ends up caring even more about the characters and their fate. This novel has left me hungry for more, I can’t wait to discover what happens next. This is pitch perfect science fiction that blends action, adventure, political intrigue and more than a little heart.
August 9, 2017
I had a lot of fun with the fist book in the series, Behind the Throne. By comparison, this second book felt like running head first into a brick wall. I lost all sense of fun I had from the first book and had to slog my way through. I spent a lot of time debating whether or not I’d finish this one, but in the end I felt like I’d put too much time into it to abandon it.
Hail’s trying to organize peace talks with an antagonistic neighboring empire, the Saxons. Unfortunately things don’t go quite as planned. She’s about to face a whole new set of conspiracies and betrayals. Against the odds, she’s got to get back to her home planet and re-seize her throne.
Typing out that synopsis made me realize how much After the Crown was retreading Behind the Throne. It feels like almost essentially the same plot line as the last book, with not enough new twists to differentiate it or keep me interested. I had so much trouble focusing on After the Crown. I’d pick it up and then put it back down again. I left it sitting untouched for days at a time while I started and finished other books. If it wasn’t for that, I might think this was more on me than the book. But if I was reading other things, then I can’t just have been in a bad reading head space.
I was bored by the plot, which meant that the shallow characterization I’d already noticed in the first book really hurt. I could never remember who the supporting characters were. Besides Hail, I tended to get people mixed up. And honestly… and I didn’t care all that much about any of them.
The pacing also felt slow, especially in the middle which was when I wandered away for a few days. I was never immersed in the story, and reading After the Crown felt like a chore. This one’s a resounding “meh.”
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Hail’s trying to organize peace talks with an antagonistic neighboring empire, the Saxons. Unfortunately things don’t go quite as planned. She’s about to face a whole new set of conspiracies and betrayals. Against the odds, she’s got to get back to her home planet and re-seize her throne.
Typing out that synopsis made me realize how much After the Crown was retreading Behind the Throne. It feels like almost essentially the same plot line as the last book, with not enough new twists to differentiate it or keep me interested. I had so much trouble focusing on After the Crown. I’d pick it up and then put it back down again. I left it sitting untouched for days at a time while I started and finished other books. If it wasn’t for that, I might think this was more on me than the book. But if I was reading other things, then I can’t just have been in a bad reading head space.
I was bored by the plot, which meant that the shallow characterization I’d already noticed in the first book really hurt. I could never remember who the supporting characters were. Besides Hail, I tended to get people mixed up. And honestly… and I didn’t care all that much about any of them.
The pacing also felt slow, especially in the middle which was when I wandered away for a few days. I was never immersed in the story, and reading After the Crown felt like a chore. This one’s a resounding “meh.”
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
January 11, 2017
I am a rather voracious reader: once I start a book it generally takes me no more than a day to finish it, when I really enjoy what I am reading. That was the problem with this one - I enjoyed it well enough when I read bits of it during my meals, but there was something about the story that didn't grab me and compel me to keep reading.
I think part of my problem was that it had been a while since I read the first book, so a variety of characters from the large cast would be mentioned and I had no clue for the most part who they were or why I should care about them when they experienced trauma or tragedy. Character development seemed to have been cast aside in favor of focusing on politics and skirmishes, which some readers may find appealing (I'm not really one of them).
I do find the overall story a compelling one and I wish that it had worked for me like it did for many other readers.
I think part of my problem was that it had been a while since I read the first book, so a variety of characters from the large cast would be mentioned and I had no clue for the most part who they were or why I should care about them when they experienced trauma or tragedy. Character development seemed to have been cast aside in favor of focusing on politics and skirmishes, which some readers may find appealing (I'm not really one of them).
I do find the overall story a compelling one and I wish that it had worked for me like it did for many other readers.
March 9, 2017
I wrote a pretty extensive review of the first book in this trilogy, so I'll try not to re-tread old roads too much in my review here. Okay, so I was luke-warm on Behind the Throne. I felt like it had a lot of debut novel writing issues. So did Wagers step up her writing game? Was I glad I read the next installment? I'm happy to report: yes!
While the writing is still not world-shattering fantastic it is much stronger in this installment than the first. The melodrama is down, the characters feel more consistent and dynamic, and the story gets out of its repetitive rut by leaving the palace and hitting the road. Hail actually feels like much more of a badass, and when she falters it feels sympathetic rather than frustrating. The secondary characters continue to take center stage for me, and have plenty of opportunities to shine. (Team Zin & Emmory! Team Cas!)
The world-building expands as we get to see more worlds and more sides of the conflict. And hey, we actually get some sci-fi space opera action. The scope gets much bigger in this book, and the series benefits significantly from the expansion. Put simply there's a lot more action, and a lot less hand-wringing. This trilogy feels like it finally hit its stride, and is telling the story Wagers wanted to tell from the beginning (but had to get some pesky backstory out of the way). I'm still really on the fence about the first book, but this second installment has me excited to read the third book. Wagers, you won me over.
While the writing is still not world-shattering fantastic it is much stronger in this installment than the first. The melodrama is down, the characters feel more consistent and dynamic, and the story gets out of its repetitive rut by leaving the palace and hitting the road. Hail actually feels like much more of a badass, and when she falters it feels sympathetic rather than frustrating. The secondary characters continue to take center stage for me, and have plenty of opportunities to shine. (Team Zin & Emmory! Team Cas!)
The world-building expands as we get to see more worlds and more sides of the conflict. And hey, we actually get some sci-fi space opera action. The scope gets much bigger in this book, and the series benefits significantly from the expansion. Put simply there's a lot more action, and a lot less hand-wringing. This trilogy feels like it finally hit its stride, and is telling the story Wagers wanted to tell from the beginning (but had to get some pesky backstory out of the way). I'm still really on the fence about the first book, but this second installment has me excited to read the third book. Wagers, you won me over.
October 8, 2018
I like this installment. It's got the same fun tone as the first book, the same closeness to its main character. It also still features a lot of the things I griped about in book one. All in all, I think I want to love these books more than I actually do, because I love the premise so much. I love how many things I'm tired of that this book doesn't do. It's not another military space opera. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It's imaginative. It's not nihilistic or cynical. The characters aren't cookie-cutter (FAR from it).
I think the main gripe I feel consistently is that I wish the MC was one POV character among several, rather than the sole first person narrator. Wagers has imagined this incredible universe, and dozens and dozens of interesting characters, of which the MC is a wonderful part, but sometimes it feels like the MC is pulled uncomfortably into roles where she doesn't belong. She's always putting herself in danger even though she's the sovereign of her nation and her guards are constantly trying to stop her, and in a way this is good because it creates ongoing conflict and prevents events from becoming dull in places. But there would have been plenty of drama for one character if she didn't have quite so many of these moments herself, and perhaps the climax would have even been more effective if the MC had been more frustrated along the way by her high position throughout the book, so that when she rebels against her safety net at the end it wouldn't have been just more of the same. Problem is, for that to happen there would have to be more POV characters in lower positions to handle those dangerous situations earlier in the story and keep up the momentum going throughout the book.
I'm going to read on because I love the things Wagers prioritizes in her space opera. I like the focus on characters, on adventure, on creative worldbuilding taking precedence over plot-stifling, gimmicky scientific concepts.
I think the main gripe I feel consistently is that I wish the MC was one POV character among several, rather than the sole first person narrator. Wagers has imagined this incredible universe, and dozens and dozens of interesting characters, of which the MC is a wonderful part, but sometimes it feels like the MC is pulled uncomfortably into roles where she doesn't belong. She's always putting herself in danger even though she's the sovereign of her nation and her guards are constantly trying to stop her, and in a way this is good because it creates ongoing conflict and prevents events from becoming dull in places. But there would have been plenty of drama for one character if she didn't have quite so many of these moments herself, and perhaps the climax would have even been more effective if the MC had been more frustrated along the way by her high position throughout the book, so that when she rebels against her safety net at the end it wouldn't have been just more of the same. Problem is, for that to happen there would have to be more POV characters in lower positions to handle those dangerous situations earlier in the story and keep up the momentum going throughout the book.
I'm going to read on because I love the things Wagers prioritizes in her space opera. I like the focus on characters, on adventure, on creative worldbuilding taking precedence over plot-stifling, gimmicky scientific concepts.
March 3, 2018
About halfway into this one I set it down for the night with the thought that it was typical second-book syndrome. Lots of trilogies start fast (and hopefully finish fast) but slow down and get all expository in the middle.
The next night I picked it up intending to read myself to sleep and instead crawled out of bed so the reading light wouldn't keep my wife awake and finished the book about 4 ayem. K.B. owes me a good night's sleep.
Suffice to say I'll be reading book 3 soon, although the first part of this one did drag a bit.
Minor quibbles: The witty bantz are wearing thin; people need to stop holding each other by the face and staring into each other's eyes.
What I liked: Everything else, a lot. There's depth, good worldbuilding, realistic characters, great extended action sequences. Wagers' world depicts a far-future empire founded by members of Earth's Indian civilization. Their chief antagonists are the Saxons. (It starts to feel like she based it on Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, right?) But she doesn't get heavyhanded and preachy over skin color or religion. It's well-done.
The next night I picked it up intending to read myself to sleep and instead crawled out of bed so the reading light wouldn't keep my wife awake and finished the book about 4 ayem. K.B. owes me a good night's sleep.
Suffice to say I'll be reading book 3 soon, although the first part of this one did drag a bit.
Minor quibbles: The witty bantz are wearing thin; people need to stop holding each other by the face and staring into each other's eyes.
What I liked: Everything else, a lot. There's depth, good worldbuilding, realistic characters, great extended action sequences. Wagers' world depicts a far-future empire founded by members of Earth's Indian civilization. Their chief antagonists are the Saxons. (It starts to feel like she based it on Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, right?) But she doesn't get heavyhanded and preachy over skin color or religion. It's well-done.
April 15, 2017
I'll get this out of the way right off: You have got to read this series!
I absolutely loved Behind the Throne, so, of course, I was a little worried about the sequel. What if it wasn't as good? Well, I needn't have worried. After the Crown is every bit as amazing as the first book. In fact, it may even be better! We got to see how Hail conquered the issues back home -- now we get to see what she can do when unleashed on the rest of the universe!
I loved learning about her past and watching her blend her new and old skills, the allies she'd gained, and those from the past... I love the world building. Everything just gets more interesting and more real with every new aspect that's added in. There's so much action driving the plot, but also so much heart.
It's all blended so perfectly. I can't can't think of anything else I want from these two book... except for book three as soon as possible!
I absolutely loved Behind the Throne, so, of course, I was a little worried about the sequel. What if it wasn't as good? Well, I needn't have worried. After the Crown is every bit as amazing as the first book. In fact, it may even be better! We got to see how Hail conquered the issues back home -- now we get to see what she can do when unleashed on the rest of the universe!
I loved learning about her past and watching her blend her new and old skills, the allies she'd gained, and those from the past... I love the world building. Everything just gets more interesting and more real with every new aspect that's added in. There's so much action driving the plot, but also so much heart.
It's all blended so perfectly. I can't can't think of anything else I want from these two book... except for book three as soon as possible!
February 9, 2017
The follow up to “Behind the Throne” which you do need to read first. After the trauma of the events in the first book, Hail Bristol is now Empress, but the Indranan Empire is in disarray, under attack from outside and from within. To try to get to the bottom of things she needs to go off planet and maybe the contacts from her murky past might be the ones that can help her shed light on what is going on.
More of the same from the first book, not deep but very easy and entertaining reading. Hail is a good main character, a natural leader using an unorthodox skill set in her unusual circumstances. I said not deep, but there are quite a few interesting story aspects in here. The fact it is a matriarchal society, the race of healers and their beliefs and so on. So a fair bit of action as well as political intrigue, but great fun as light sci-fi.
More of the same from the first book, not deep but very easy and entertaining reading. Hail is a good main character, a natural leader using an unorthodox skill set in her unusual circumstances. I said not deep, but there are quite a few interesting story aspects in here. The fact it is a matriarchal society, the race of healers and their beliefs and so on. So a fair bit of action as well as political intrigue, but great fun as light sci-fi.
November 13, 2018
Behind the Throne review.
Short-tempered, foul-mouthed, ex-outlaw gunrunner Hail Bristol is just trying to run a Shiva-damned empire.
After a failed coupe, Hail is doing her best to run an empire that she had no intention of ever having to deal with. But at heart, she loves her country and would do anything to save it. That anything is proving to be dodging assassination attempts left and right. Not everyone thinks she has what it takes to lead the nation and they rather kill her than give her a chance.
Turns out, Hail isn’t so easy to kill. All it does is piss her off more and fuel her ruthlessness.
When yet another coupe has far greater success, Hail is once again running for her life. They’ve chased her off her own planet and have taken control of empire territories. Her small band of Indrana loyal military and friends are all she has to depend on while she develops a plan to put down the mutiny.
The plan? Take them out gunrunner style. This will mean large debts to crime lords she used to run with, but her enemy won’t be expecting that kind of help and they can’t handle the fire power and cunning that outlaws bring to the table.
When you’re patriotic duty is to outmaneuver hostile militaries, protect your people and take back your nation, you either run with the baddest dogs in the galaxy or you stay on the fucking porch and lose everything.
Hail Bristol is one of my favorite main characters. Despite my description of a ruthless bad ass (I mean she is), she’s also kind-hearted and doesn’t want to lose any of her people. She’s clever. She’s willing to owe great debts to dangerous people if it means saving everyone she loves and the people she’s vowed to protect. This series has quickly become one of my favorite space operas. It has just the right amounts of science fiction, drama, and character development that keeps you coming back for more.
Short-tempered, foul-mouthed, ex-outlaw gunrunner Hail Bristol is just trying to run a Shiva-damned empire.
After a failed coupe, Hail is doing her best to run an empire that she had no intention of ever having to deal with. But at heart, she loves her country and would do anything to save it. That anything is proving to be dodging assassination attempts left and right. Not everyone thinks she has what it takes to lead the nation and they rather kill her than give her a chance.
Turns out, Hail isn’t so easy to kill. All it does is piss her off more and fuel her ruthlessness.
When yet another coupe has far greater success, Hail is once again running for her life. They’ve chased her off her own planet and have taken control of empire territories. Her small band of Indrana loyal military and friends are all she has to depend on while she develops a plan to put down the mutiny.
The plan? Take them out gunrunner style. This will mean large debts to crime lords she used to run with, but her enemy won’t be expecting that kind of help and they can’t handle the fire power and cunning that outlaws bring to the table.
When you’re patriotic duty is to outmaneuver hostile militaries, protect your people and take back your nation, you either run with the baddest dogs in the galaxy or you stay on the fucking porch and lose everything.
Hail Bristol is one of my favorite main characters. Despite my description of a ruthless bad ass (I mean she is), she’s also kind-hearted and doesn’t want to lose any of her people. She’s clever. She’s willing to owe great debts to dangerous people if it means saving everyone she loves and the people she’s vowed to protect. This series has quickly become one of my favorite space operas. It has just the right amounts of science fiction, drama, and character development that keeps you coming back for more.
November 30, 2019
This is good space opera. I have some caveats, but don't let those distract too much from the overall review, which is a solid 4 stars. Most of what took that top star off was caused by the start of the novel, and the fact that it had been a couple of years since I read the opening novel. I think if you went straight from one to the next it would improve the result in this case.
Former gunrunner Hail Bristol has settled into her hereditary role as Empress as the novel opens, at least as much as she can when the rest of her family has been assassinated and her empire is constantly threatened. The start of the book is a bit slow, as the author tries to clear the expository work of checking in with her characters (perhaps too many for a series of this length). There's as much complexity here as one would usually find in fatter novels. It takes a hundred pages and another assassination attempt to really get the plot moving, and once Hail goes off world for a peace negotiation that proves problematic, the book really picks up.
I'm definitely invested enough that I will finish the series (this time with less of a pause hopefully!) and I think most readers who enjoy this will be. The lead character is kind of like a combination of Princess Leia and Han Solo in a world with a matriarchal empire. That's pretty rich as the initial concept for SF fans, and Wagers can tell a good story. That merits a recommendation, I think.
Former gunrunner Hail Bristol has settled into her hereditary role as Empress as the novel opens, at least as much as she can when the rest of her family has been assassinated and her empire is constantly threatened. The start of the book is a bit slow, as the author tries to clear the expository work of checking in with her characters (perhaps too many for a series of this length). There's as much complexity here as one would usually find in fatter novels. It takes a hundred pages and another assassination attempt to really get the plot moving, and once Hail goes off world for a peace negotiation that proves problematic, the book really picks up.
I'm definitely invested enough that I will finish the series (this time with less of a pause hopefully!) and I think most readers who enjoy this will be. The lead character is kind of like a combination of Princess Leia and Han Solo in a world with a matriarchal empire. That's pretty rich as the initial concept for SF fans, and Wagers can tell a good story. That merits a recommendation, I think.
September 15, 2018
I was asking myself if some of the set-up in book 1 would pay off and it does! This one in non-stop action, different planets, pirates , caper, space ships, space battle. As she met friends from her past we also learn a bit more about her.
As in book one the central caracter Hail is really interesting lovable, feminin but also an action hero. As the story unfold she needs to take risk which creates tension with her loyal bodyguards and makes the banter interesting.
As book 2 ends Hail has even the odds and we still do not know the motivation of the main enemy (Wilson). Looking forward to Hail kicking more butts in book 3.
As in book one the central caracter Hail is really interesting lovable, feminin but also an action hero. As the story unfold she needs to take risk which creates tension with her loyal bodyguards and makes the banter interesting.
As book 2 ends Hail has even the odds and we still do not know the motivation of the main enemy (Wilson). Looking forward to Hail kicking more butts in book 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2017
After attempting to resolve the Saxon - Indra conflict, betrayal forces Haile to escape and go "full gunrunner." We get to see meet many of her allies from her gunrunner past. Not only is her background fleshed out, but we see her in the role of gunrunner, ship captain, and leader. In all these roles, she is a fragile human who cares about her friends, allies, and the common people in her empire. She balances her fragility with competence, compassion, and occasional ruthlessness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2017
The first book was gunrunner turned empress, trying to negotiate politics while dodging assassins. This book is more empress turned gunrunner, using smuggling techniques to fight for her empire.
December 5, 2017
a good continuing story
May 20, 2021
A continuation of book 1. More of the same fun reading without anything amazing. Dont think I'll finish it off as too many others to read.
January 24, 2020
A real page turner with more actual "space" than the first book. Bolshey female lead characters are great & the irreverence of this one is a laugh out loud read. Really enjoyed it & happy to discover there is another volume!
February 29, 2024
4.1/5 stars
Very well done overall. I think a problem with this author's writing in general is that a lot of her plot twists are very very predictable. I figured out pretty easily who was going to betray her right from the get go. Yet, the stakes were very high and I enjoyed how the author expanded the world outside of what we'd seen in the first novel.
Very well done overall. I think a problem with this author's writing in general is that a lot of her plot twists are very very predictable. I figured out pretty easily who was going to betray her right from the get go. Yet, the stakes were very high and I enjoyed how the author expanded the world outside of what we'd seen in the first novel.
May 21, 2020
Really strong second chapter that makes me want the third book badly enough that I decided to tilt it to five stars on the 4.5 grade I’d give rather that drop it down to four.
I really get a better feel for who Hail Bristol is here, especially now that she’s settling into the job she never wanted and doesn’t feel she’s suited for, but is damn well gonna do it anyway. She’s someone who commits and believes in honor and it’s deepest levels, so no matter if her internal monologue gets a bit self-pitying, you never worry about whether she might actually quit (and she’s funny enough that it never gets to be a drag, just human)
It’s funny and fast and the action flies hard and frankly it’s exactly what I want out of good space opera.
I really get a better feel for who Hail Bristol is here, especially now that she’s settling into the job she never wanted and doesn’t feel she’s suited for, but is damn well gonna do it anyway. She’s someone who commits and believes in honor and it’s deepest levels, so no matter if her internal monologue gets a bit self-pitying, you never worry about whether she might actually quit (and she’s funny enough that it never gets to be a drag, just human)
It’s funny and fast and the action flies hard and frankly it’s exactly what I want out of good space opera.
February 28, 2017
NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo! It's a cliffhanger and the next book isn't out until this December!!
What is a girl to do?!?!?! I can't even pre-order the third book yet............must....have....next...book....
Okay, that fit thrown out there, I guess you realized that I love this series. Hail is an empress after my own heart. She's insecure, smart, protective of her people, open-minded....I could go on and on. Then there's Zin and Emmory her bodyguards/friends, Hao, Rai, and Dailun. So many good characters and interactions between them.
Wilson thought he would wipe out the Bristol line, but he never thought that Hail would make it so hard for him. Now she's going back to wipe him out....and I have to wait for the next book...I mean I can't wait for the next book.
What is a girl to do?!?!?! I can't even pre-order the third book yet............must....have....next...book....
Okay, that fit thrown out there, I guess you realized that I love this series. Hail is an empress after my own heart. She's insecure, smart, protective of her people, open-minded....I could go on and on. Then there's Zin and Emmory her bodyguards/friends, Hao, Rai, and Dailun. So many good characters and interactions between them.
Wilson thought he would wipe out the Bristol line, but he never thought that Hail would make it so hard for him. Now she's going back to wipe him out....and I have to wait for the next book...I mean I can't wait for the next book.
April 17, 2017
Behind the Throne by K. B. Wagers was one of the best debut novels I’ve read and one of my favorite reads of 2016 period. It was with both excitement and trepidation that I started reading the sequel, After the Crown. I needn’t have worried. Now K. B. Wagers has written two of my favorite reads of 2016 and she’s only getting better. I get the same feeling as the first time I opened a book and met Miles Vorkosigan or Honor Harrington. Like Lois McMaster Bujold and David Weber, Wagers has created a character and a universe that I look forward to reading many, many more stories about.
After the Crown picks up events soon after we left them at the end of Behind the Throne. Hail is settling into being empress despite the threats that exist both from within and outside the empire. The court intrigue and disruptions from factions within the empire is intriguing and exciting in its own right, but the story really kicks into high gear when Hail leaves the planet to meet with the King of the Saxon empire and try to avert interplanetary war. Soon after, more bullets start flying and more things start blowing up. This leads to the gunrunner empress proving that her reputation is no joke and that killing her is harder than it looks. Now Hail is on the run and relying on some of her more disreputable connections from her past to win back her empire and get justice for all the friends and family she’s lost.
Wagers writes action scenes like nobody’s business and once things start rolling they keep on rolling until you are out of breath and there are no more pages left to turn. Even better than the action though is the characters. Hail Bristol is one of the best characters I’ve come across in a long time. She is larger than life. She is part Princess Leia and part Han Solo. The cast of characters around her is equally interesting. Emmory and Zin, the trackers turned bodyguards, are great characters, and there are many more among the court, the Indranan military and the government. After the Crown introduces us to more characters from Hail’s past, including her old boss Hao and the infamous Po-Sin.
The Indranan War is one of the best new series to come along in a long time and After the Crown is an outstanding followup to Behind the Throne. Get in on the ground floor of the next great science fiction series. You won’t regret it. Highly recommended.
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book.
After the Crown picks up events soon after we left them at the end of Behind the Throne. Hail is settling into being empress despite the threats that exist both from within and outside the empire. The court intrigue and disruptions from factions within the empire is intriguing and exciting in its own right, but the story really kicks into high gear when Hail leaves the planet to meet with the King of the Saxon empire and try to avert interplanetary war. Soon after, more bullets start flying and more things start blowing up. This leads to the gunrunner empress proving that her reputation is no joke and that killing her is harder than it looks. Now Hail is on the run and relying on some of her more disreputable connections from her past to win back her empire and get justice for all the friends and family she’s lost.
Wagers writes action scenes like nobody’s business and once things start rolling they keep on rolling until you are out of breath and there are no more pages left to turn. Even better than the action though is the characters. Hail Bristol is one of the best characters I’ve come across in a long time. She is larger than life. She is part Princess Leia and part Han Solo. The cast of characters around her is equally interesting. Emmory and Zin, the trackers turned bodyguards, are great characters, and there are many more among the court, the Indranan military and the government. After the Crown introduces us to more characters from Hail’s past, including her old boss Hao and the infamous Po-Sin.
The Indranan War is one of the best new series to come along in a long time and After the Crown is an outstanding followup to Behind the Throne. Get in on the ground floor of the next great science fiction series. You won’t regret it. Highly recommended.
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book.
February 4, 2017
There's no let-up in the action in this second volume of K.B. Wagers' science fiction adventure "The Indranan War." That's both a good thing and a bad thing. It's a good thing because it keeps the adrenaline pumping and keeps the audience worried about what awaits our good guys around the next corner. It's a bad thing because something is wanting, in terms of emotional heft, in comparison with the first book, Behind the Throne. That book could, in a tight pinch, be read as a stand-alone. This one absolutely could not be, since all the relationships and interactions in this book were established by the previous one, and (gulp) this one ends on a cliffhanger, which should have been just a little bit more of an emotional gut-punch.
This isn't to say that this book lacks its powerful moments; the ones involving Fase', the Farian healer, stand out. I also appreciate the expanded presence of women among the allies and comrades of our heroine, Hail, with bigger roles for characters like Fase' and Stasia and the appearance of new allies, among them Gita and Alice. Hail continues to impress, as she learns to manage her power and faces an even bigger threat than in the previous book (which is why it can't be dealt with in this one volume -- and darn it, the next one doesn't even have a title yet). I enjoyed it quite a bit. Just maybe, kind of, half a fraction less than I enjoyed Book 1.
This isn't to say that this book lacks its powerful moments; the ones involving Fase', the Farian healer, stand out. I also appreciate the expanded presence of women among the allies and comrades of our heroine, Hail, with bigger roles for characters like Fase' and Stasia and the appearance of new allies, among them Gita and Alice. Hail continues to impress, as she learns to manage her power and faces an even bigger threat than in the previous book (which is why it can't be dealt with in this one volume -- and darn it, the next one doesn't even have a title yet). I enjoyed it quite a bit. Just maybe, kind of, half a fraction less than I enjoyed Book 1.
October 1, 2017
2.5 / 5 stars
I had good hopes with the first book, it wasn't perfect but I thought the little problematic things could get better and it could be a very enjoyable read.... But it wasn't.
My main gripe with this is probably the fake-ass matriarchal system that really isn't and I just couldn't get past it. That's not new though, I had the same issue with book 1 but I thought it could get better with this one. When the prime minister, the chief of intelligence, the chief bodyguards and all the mafia lords are men but that the secretary and the maid are still women you can tell our own patriarchy is hard to beat out of us. And when you add on top of this a plotline about men who want equal rights and the main woman character agreeing with this...Well, I see what you are doing and in other circumstances I would say yes! equal rights! But here? They obviously already have them? And I don't care about more men characters being added over and over again?
Also, There's just way too many minor characters and I was really just mixing everyone up by the end and I didn't even care. I would rather have less characters but with more personalities than what we had here. Hard to feel bad about people dying when all you know bout them is their name and actually no, you don't really recognize who this was, was he this character or that one ? Can't remember.
I did like the main characters though. Hail is not as idiotic as in the beginning of book 1 when she says it's harder on her, now that she has to go home, than on her sister's who are DEAD. and I really like Emory, Zin and Cas. They are the only ones with personalities. Oh look, they are all males ! SHOCKER.
Too bad, I will probably not read book 3.
I had good hopes with the first book, it wasn't perfect but I thought the little problematic things could get better and it could be a very enjoyable read.... But it wasn't.
My main gripe with this is probably the fake-ass matriarchal system that really isn't and I just couldn't get past it. That's not new though, I had the same issue with book 1 but I thought it could get better with this one. When the prime minister, the chief of intelligence, the chief bodyguards and all the mafia lords are men but that the secretary and the maid are still women you can tell our own patriarchy is hard to beat out of us. And when you add on top of this a plotline about men who want equal rights and the main woman character agreeing with this...Well, I see what you are doing and in other circumstances I would say yes! equal rights! But here? They obviously already have them? And I don't care about more men characters being added over and over again?
Also, There's just way too many minor characters and I was really just mixing everyone up by the end and I didn't even care. I would rather have less characters but with more personalities than what we had here. Hard to feel bad about people dying when all you know bout them is their name and actually no, you don't really recognize who this was, was he this character or that one ? Can't remember.
I did like the main characters though. Hail is not as idiotic as in the beginning of book 1 when she says it's harder on her, now that she has to go home, than on her sister's who are DEAD. and I really like Emory, Zin and Cas. They are the only ones with personalities. Oh look, they are all males ! SHOCKER.
Too bad, I will probably not read book 3.
March 6, 2017
It's an adventure story. Judge accordingly. Our gunrunner-empress is a good character, supported by some other interesting ones.
The plot's good at the macro level. Closer up, the protagonist is far too quickly able to convince people to help her. Even closer, at the page-by-page level, there's a lot of troping going on - the " I can sleep later" and "I'm too stressed to eat" and "it's only a flesh wound." C'mon, authors, let your people sleep and eat and use the bathroom once in a while.
The space-battle stuff is a bit thin. Hey. I've flown a shuttle, how hard can a battlecruiser be? Mile-long warp-drive ships have like automatic transmission, right? And my ship has shields that can hold for an hour against three enemy ships, but the enemy's battlecruiser blows to smithereens at the first shot, thousands of crew die, and our folks chuckle and move on. OK, there's a bit of remorse at all the killing.
And c'mon: a computerized gate asks for a code and our heroine rattles of the 218-digit string without any effort? One she hasn't used in years. Yeah, sure. Look, you have to tell us earlier that she has that kind of skill before you just use it in a crisis.
Still, it's a fun adventure.
The plot's good at the macro level. Closer up, the protagonist is far too quickly able to convince people to help her. Even closer, at the page-by-page level, there's a lot of troping going on - the " I can sleep later" and "I'm too stressed to eat" and "it's only a flesh wound." C'mon, authors, let your people sleep and eat and use the bathroom once in a while.
The space-battle stuff is a bit thin. Hey. I've flown a shuttle, how hard can a battlecruiser be? Mile-long warp-drive ships have like automatic transmission, right? And my ship has shields that can hold for an hour against three enemy ships, but the enemy's battlecruiser blows to smithereens at the first shot, thousands of crew die, and our folks chuckle and move on. OK, there's a bit of remorse at all the killing.
And c'mon: a computerized gate asks for a code and our heroine rattles of the 218-digit string without any effort? One she hasn't used in years. Yeah, sure. Look, you have to tell us earlier that she has that kind of skill before you just use it in a crisis.
Still, it's a fun adventure.
November 17, 2018
I'm out. I stuck reading through many decisions that seemed determined not to be grounded in logic, and a cast of characters that I couldn't differentiate between, but this just didn't make much sense. It says at the end that it was written in three months, like the first book, but with substantially less time to revise.
It shows.
By 90%, I was skimming to get to the end, and I had been less enthused for a while before that. It's just one hare-brained scheme after another, and I just kept thinking, "but that doesn't even make sense." I think the author just willed it all into existence, but it's not grounded in characters or plot. I seriously could read for pages with peoples' names going by and I had no idea who they were or why I cared. And it didn't matter at all.
Not even a world run by women as a setting, anymore. And Hail's character insisting on taking insane risks so she could be an empress/gunrunner... I just couldn't. Overall, it had a "gang of misfits" YA feel to it that I think is the key to many peoples' enjoyment of these books, but that is not a selling point to me.
So... I'm out.
It shows.
By 90%, I was skimming to get to the end, and I had been less enthused for a while before that. It's just one hare-brained scheme after another, and I just kept thinking, "but that doesn't even make sense." I think the author just willed it all into existence, but it's not grounded in characters or plot. I seriously could read for pages with peoples' names going by and I had no idea who they were or why I cared. And it didn't matter at all.
Not even a world run by women as a setting, anymore. And Hail's character insisting on taking insane risks so she could be an empress/gunrunner... I just couldn't. Overall, it had a "gang of misfits" YA feel to it that I think is the key to many peoples' enjoyment of these books, but that is not a selling point to me.
So... I'm out.
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