A Rollicking Space Opera From Beginning to End

Teenagers often feel like they're immortal, and Prince Khemri of the intergalactic empire is no different. Partially because he's not exactly mortal - as he tells us in the opening paragraph, he's died three times.

In Garth Nix's A Confusion of Princes, the thousands and thousands of princes (male OR female can - there are no princesses) are connected to the Imperial Mind, and so if they're killed, and deemed worthy, their uploaded memories and consciousness can be loaded into a new body. If they're deemed unworthy - or for some reason disconnected, that's another story.

An added difficulty is that there's a good chance your fellow Princes are out to kill you so they can advance their own political ambition. This is especially annoying for Khemri, who'd prefer nothing more than to command a starship, feast, and have sex with his courtesans. But when assassins show up, and his chances of renewal are questionable, the prince has to put his plans of luxury to the side and figure out how to survive.

It seems like there's a real dearth of YA SF, and so it's refreshing to hear Nix weave such a fun, high tech space opera. Khemri starts off as an arrogant youth, and so the story of how he learns to embrace more than his own selfish agendas and learns to love more than himself - told through his voice - feels pretty authentic.

Part of that is due to Michael Goldstrom's solid reading. This is my first exposure to Goldstrom, and he did a fine job of separating the characters from each other without being distracting.

The story and themes here are old ones, but it's told with slick tech, cool weapons, and world-building, that ultimately it makes for a lot of fun. Best of all, it moves at such a breakneck pace that there's no time to get bored. If you're looking for a fun YA space opera, this is your ticket.

6 people found this helpful

An Interesting First Foray Into A Unique Universe

Some writers drag us along into their writing, wading into a hastily-created and flawed universe of their own making. It can make for tough reading, and ultimately, can turn off many a reader.

Garth Nix, I'm happy to say, is not such a writer. This effort is a fun read. It is a universe well thought out, with the technologies, religions, politics, hierarchies and subterfuge splashing together to create an enjoyable experience. Detailed without being preachy, challenging without being confusing, it is a great choice for your Audible credit.

Notice I'm not giving the plot away, nor any spoilers? Here's why: This is a bit of a wild romp that you'll enjoy better by discovery, versus anticipation due to anything I might give away ion this review.

I WILL say this: If I could compare Nix's writing and style, it reminds me of the recent Dune audiobooks by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Hebert, but more of a tongue in cheek, just a bit. Very cool, believable and leaves you wanting the author to keep writing.

Now, THAT'S a good audiobook, yes?

5 people found this helpful

Best Space Opera I have ever read

What did you love best about A Confusion of Princes?

No plot holes. The story was completely internally consistent. The action was superb with well developed characters

What did you like best about this story?

The author went into great pains to describe the technology in his universe. It was science fiction not some romance or 'emotional thriller' dressed up as sci fi.

Any additional comments?

This is the way science fiction should be written.

2 people found this helpful

Got me from the first minute

What made the experience of listening to A Confusion of Princes the most enjoyable?

It was really interesting to get to hear the story, it was immediately interesting, and it didn't disappoint.
About half way through I already started to looking at a sequel, but that doesn't appear to be there as of now.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent

As I have come to expect from Garth Nix this is very well written. As I have also come to expect, it is very different from his other books in style, topic and appropriateness for children. He runs a gauntlet of genres from regency romance with a fantasy twist, to Fairy tales, to straight fantasy and this, a space age fantasy. His audience also ranges from children’s books, to young teens, to older teens as this is. While it has no foul language that I remember, it has plenty of violence and some sexual content. There is one thing consistent, I always enjoy his books.

1 person found this helpful

Interesting coming-of-age story

What made the experience of listening to A Confusion of Princes the most enjoyable?

The narration was done well. The story was well paced. The Conversations were done well so you could tell the difference between regular conversations and the mind to mind conversations.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the slightly dystopian view of the Empire. With princes who could do anything except be truly free to do what they wanted.

Which scene was your favorite?

At the end of the battle. The main character thinks he's going to die for the second and final time he states that he failed the test of becoming an adjuster but he passed the test of becoming human

1 person found this helpful

great story and world

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes its one of those rare sci fi stories that feels interesting and real

What did you like best about this story?

the point of view of the prince and his journey, the interesting world that has been built by the author

What about Michael Goldstrom’s performance did you like?

easy and comfortable to listen to

Any additional comments?

great ending - to be a prince or not

1 person found this helpful

Not disappointed, another great stand alone

I love Shades children by Garth Nix, it is an absolute favorite, and again, he creates an amazingly detailed yet mysterious world. I love how completely different the concept is from so many other books out there. Great characters, great storyline, very interesting to read with great amounts of action, adventure, and discovery! Highly recommend

really good

interesting and enjoyable.
really like this author in general.
fun perspective to hear play out

Not the story I thought

Although I am a great fan of most of Garth Nix’s works. A confusion of prince’s wasn’t the book I thought it would have been.