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  • The Consuming Fire

  • The Interdependency, Book 2
  • Written by: John Scalzi
  • Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
  • Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (445 ratings)

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The Consuming Fire

Written by: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
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Publisher's Summary

"Wil Wheaton narrates this space opera full of political intrigue and charismatic characters. The young Emperox Grayland II does not have an easy task ahead. The Interdependency is in jeopardy due to the collapse of various planets in the empire. Powerful families are looking out for their own interests, even if that means killing their enemies and threatening the empire. Wheaton delivers an expressive narration using a humorous tone when needed and employing his acting talent to bring the characters to life. This audiobook is a treat not only for Wheaton's fans but also for anyone who is into well-written science fiction." (AudioFile magazine) 

The Consuming Fire - the sequel to the 2018 Hugo Award Best Novel finalist and 2018 Locus Award-winning The Collapsing Empire - an epic space-opera novel in the best-selling Interdependency series, from the Hugo Award-winning and New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi.

The Interdependency, humanity’s interstellar empire, is on the verge of collapse. The Flow, the extra-dimensional conduit that makes travel between the stars possible, is disappearing, leaving entire star systems stranded. When it goes, human civilization may go with it - unless desperate measures can be taken.  

Emperox Grayland II, the leader of the Interdependency, is ready to take those measures to help ensure the survival of billions. But nothing is ever that easy. Arrayed before her are those who believe the collapse of the Flow is a myth - or at the very least, an opportunity that can allow them to ascend to power.  

While Grayland prepares for disaster, others are preparing for a civil war, a war that will take place in the halls of power, the markets of business and the altars of worship as much as it will take place between spaceships and battlefields. The Emperox and her allies are smart and resourceful, but then so are her enemies. Nothing about this power struggle will be simple or easy...and all of humanity will be caught in its widening gyre.  

The Interdependency series: 

  1. The Collapsing Empire
  2. The Consuming Fire
©2018 John Scalzi (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Consuming Fire

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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Wil Wheaton should read all audio books

I would buy more audio books if Wil Wheaton read them. His voices and accents, enunciation and enthusiasm just leave me looking for more.

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8 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Weak and foul-mouthed

I’m a big fan Scalzi. But this book falls flat. The story is ordinary at best. And John’s recent habit of thinking F this and F that makes good dialog is wearing thin. Where his dialog used to be snappy, this was just juvenile. Scalzi is better than this.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • MJR
  • 2019-03-31

A great listen

My favourite thing is Wil Wheaton's French accent. It amused me greatly and painted a very clear picture.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not a fan of serial books but I’m buying 3rd book. Great story!

Narrator does a superb job of bringing the characters to life. The author, as always, has developed a wonderful universe for the characters to live in.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Well written and well performed

Good book and a great continuation of the series. Wil Wheaton does a great job as always with his performance.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

That ending!

I was fully prepared to rate this 2.5 stars because I didn't feel like much was happening and then the ending came out of nowhere. On to The Last Emperox apparently!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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BUY NOW.. NO SERIOUSLY

Profane perfection.

Masterwork of expletives to develop a character like you've never seen before. The authors take on recreational absurdities in abundance, create excellently poised and recurring comedy while never letting up on the narrative of a deft sense of thrill.
A wonderful second installment.. So glad I needn't wait for the third!

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  • Overall
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Who knew?

Will Wheaton does an excellent job. I look forward to finding him on other works.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderfully performed!

Bravo to Wil Wheaton. His narration brought life to this interesting story and made the journey most enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Starts exceedingly slowly, gets much better

The prologue and the first couple of chapters are extremely dull descriptions of internal palace intrigue. I was about to bail, but suddenly it became a much more interesting story that could truly be called science fiction. Now I’m going to get the final book in the series that has become so compelling!

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