Try free for 30 days

  • The Collapsing Empire

  • The Interdependency, Book 1
  • By: John Scalzi
  • Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
  • Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (600 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Collapsing Empire cover art

The Collapsing Empire

By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

2018 Locus Award, Best Science Fiction Novel

Our universe is ruled by physics, and faster-than-light travel is not possible - until the discovery of The Flow, an extradimensional field we can access at certain points in space-time that transports us to other worlds, around other stars. 

Humanity flows away from Earth, into space, and in time forgets our home world and creates a new empire, the Interdependency, whose ethos requires that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It's a hedge against interstellar war - and a system of control for the rulers of the empire. 

The Flow is eternal - but it is not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well, cutting off worlds from the rest of humanity. When it's discovered that The Flow is moving, possibly cutting off all human worlds from faster-than-light travel forever, three individuals - a scientist, a starship captain, and the empress of the Interdependency - are in a race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse. 

©2017 John Scalzi (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Fans of Game of Thrones and Dune will enjoy this bawdy, brutal, and brilliant political adventure." (Booklist)

"Scalzi has constructed a thrilling novel so in tune with the flow of politics that it would feel relevant at almost any time." (Entertainment Weekly)

"Political plotting, plenty of snark, puzzle-solving, and a healthy dose of action…Scalzi continues to be almost insufferably good at his brand of fun but think-y sci-fi adventure." (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about The Collapsing Empire

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    384
  • 4 Stars
    156
  • 3 Stars
    45
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    403
  • 4 Stars
    105
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    339
  • 4 Stars
    144
  • 3 Stars
    46
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great world building but language so-so

Really enjoyed the world, plot, intrigue, turns and twists in this well crafted novel. The language was a weak point for me, it felt somewhat repetitive and pubescent at times - as if all the characters were drawing from a somewhat limited vocabulary which never really managed to stand out. The swearing was a bit pubescent and dull, rather than colourful and imaginative. (Think how many times can you put the F word in a sentence - it just gets a bit boring after a while). But nevertheless I really enjoyed the story and am curious about what will happen in the next instalment - hoping the word smithing may improve a bit.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great, but beware of language.

This reminds me slightly of Asimov's "Foundation and Empire" series, but with more swear words. It shares the theme of a galaxy-wide empire facing disaster, but does it it a different way. The usual great characterisations and plotting from John Scalzi are here. Looking forward to tyhe next in the series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The collapsing empire

Thoroughly enjoyable story. Good collection of believable characters, goodies and baddies. Story rockets along nicely.
Excellently presented by Will Wheaton
Look forward to the continuation

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning

Thoroughly engrossing, delivery by Wil Wheaton was powerful and immersive. Thanks for returning an enjoyable sci fi story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Well enjoyed.

There's a certain style to the author that's almost enjoyable . . . there's a lot of profanity but I'm no angel. I think Wil Wheaton performed wonderfully. A must listen . . .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Lee
  • 24-07-2018

awesome

This was a bloody awesome book. Enjoyed it from start to finish. Keeva's character totally makes the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well performed, engaging story

Thoroughly enjoyable sci fi. Entertaining, dotted with humour and intrigue. A pinch of game of thrones in space. Loved it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story and narration

Great story by John Scalzi and great narration by Wil Wheaton - I love this pairing so much!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I could listen to Wil Wheaton read a corn flakes box.

Another great story by Scalzi. There is a fair bit a swearing, so you should be aware of that. I finish it in one seating.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Kept my attention

The story moved fast enough to be entertaining for me. Narration was clear and well done. I’ve now listened to book 2 which was really good too. About to start book 3!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.