Once again Kevin Anderson has astonished me with his storytelling ability in his second novel in his epic Saga of the Seven Suns.

This novel is the sequel to 'Hidden Empire', in which 25th century mankind unknowingly started a terrible interstellar war with a ancient and advanced race called the Hydrogues.

This terrible war is seen through the eyes of some memorable characters, both human and alien, and across the expanse of space.

Characters such as King Peter-the young monarch of Earth, embroiled in a deadly power struggle with the Basil Wenceslas, ruler the human empire behind the scenes who intends to use Peter as his puppet.

Tasia Tamblyn, the roamer woman who joins the Terran Army for vengeance against the Hydrogues and witnesses the Hanseatic League's brutal treatment of its colonies.

Jess Tamblyn, the roamer businessman, who makes first-contact with a alien race that might help the humans in their tragic war against the Hydrogues.

Nira, the girl from Theroc, who is enslaved by the Ildirians in their sinister breeding program!

Anderson's world-building skills are incredible once again as he takes you to worlds like the green planet Theroc, where world-trees communicate beyond the vastness of space and the Ildiran empire, where shocking secrets threaten this alien realm and it's leaders will take terrible steps to ensure the survival of their empire!

Anderson's plot twists are wonderful as you watch the machinations of his villains. The battle scenes in this book are sweeping in their intensity as you see the huge cost in lives.

Now my own drawback is waiting another year for the next book in this powerful series!