This was my first “Praxis” novel, and it’s a tribute to the author that although I could not always follow the intricacies of the backstory, I was so caught up in the action that I simply didn’t care. Imperium Restored works on so many levels, each of them fascinating. Star-crossed lovers are separated by a colossal misunderstanding that spews forth confusion, mistrust, and crushing hurt (but does nothing to erase the fundamental attraction between them). There’s also a bang-up battle in space, one of the smartest and most inventive I’ve read, enough to convince me that any spacemil science fiction Williams writes will be superb. Life in a vast star-spanning spaceforce is filled with rivalries, jealousies, boredom, ill-fated sexual encounters, interspecies friction, and what-do-we-do-with-ourselves once the war is over. A lesser writer might have focused on the war itself. While the battle scenes are pure bravura, Williams keeps enlarging the lens to look at the ramifications, not just during the conflict but also afterward. The resulting peace offers as many opportunities for tension, betrayal, alliances made and broken, assassination attempts, revenge, and general chaos as the actual fighting did.

There’s also a mystery.

What more could a science fiction fan want?

Imperium Restored (dread Empire's Fall #6)
by Walter Jon Williams

Imperium restored the latest book in the phenomenal series based on the Dissolution of Roman empire in Space. The Shaa were the Romans conquering worlds and societies giving roles and order to the universe. The question was what happens when the last of the Shaa die.
We take up the story after one war and peace for a small portion of years. A second war started as higher powers attempt to take advantage of the political Vacuum. Lady Sula as we know her has finally faced her past. In defense of Martinez he killed Lenny in front of him. This starts a road of pain, suffering, struggle and many many instances of ego deflation. Martinez sends Sula away, reconnecting to his family. Sula finds new purpose, new friends and a new mission.
I hope we see the next step in the process of rebuilding.

I have held off writing my review of Imperium Restored for a few weeks since reading this story. I enjoy coming back and getting more story of Gareth and Caroline. I feel like there is a lot of back story to still explore.

I also enjoy reading Walter Jon Williams books. He writes good Military Sci-Fi and has grounded and flawed individuals, which sometimes is missing in modern Military Sci-Fi.

This all being said, I found the Imperium Restored to be a un-even, It felt as though the first 3/4ths of the book was on a steady pace and then everything had to be tied up in the end, so everything else went very fast. As Williams has built this world, there are politics heavily at play (which I find really realistic). You get to see how those politics play out and how a society that is still trying to figure out how it will survive kinda bumbles along.

Would I say that the flaws mar the book? No, I would recommend it to my friends. I do hope that there continues to be more books written by Williams as it feels like there is still story to tell and more to learn about Garth and Carloline.

OK. Is this the end or is there more to come. Garth and Sulu seem to be at the end. No more secrets but what about that last scene. Hope more to come. I have done loved this series so hoping for more.

It's now time for the Restoration Fleet to meet the Government Fleet for control of the Empire and the home world of Zanshaa after Martinez and Sula had destroyed an Empire Fleet around Zanthan. But just as they prepare to attack the home world, a Fleet under the previous Fleet Com shows up to take over. The FleetCom has quietly stayed out of battle by bottling up the Second Fleet in an outer system.

Now as the Supreme Commander of the Combined Fleet, she has demoted all of the members of the Third Fleet that had been promoted by the Restoration Government. This reduces both Martinez and Sula to Division Commanders (titled as Captain). They are integrated into the command structure under the FleetComs officers (who have little or now war experience).

Relying heavily on the strategy that was developed by Martinez/Sula they are able to destroy the majority of the Empire Fleet and to capture the Empire Government and the Zanshaa. Under the new restoration government, Martinez and Sula are given back their prior promotions. Both of them become major movers in the new government.

Because they have begun to purge the Convovation (the Governing Body) of the Empire, there are problems with those who lost the war and those who supported them. This may be the last book in this section of the Dread Empire, but more will have to come to finish the story.

The finale of the Praxi trilogy lives up to it's reputation. This was another good space opera. Gareth Martinez, and Caroline Sula continue in their roles. They try and keep the resisting forces together and fight the illegitimate government.

Everything I hoped for from the conclusion of the second Praxis trilogy. Williams writes nuanced, sophisticated space opera with characters who have evolved over six novels and two excellent short novels. There is action, certainly, but the real focus is the personal dynamic of Caroline Sula and Garett Martinez as their relationship is shifted and twisted and finally reaches a realistic conclusion at book’s and series’s end. There is also intelligent political commentary, splendid dialogue, and real humor. Not too mention real commentary on the personal costs of war. I found the book’s concluding segment totally surprising and totally satisfying. Just a fine, fine novel. I would love to see the main and supporting characters again as they re-shape the Praxis and themselves. Bravo.