The Empire by Elizabeth Lang

Publisher: IFWG Publishing
Pages: 328

From the Cover:

First book of the epic Empire Series. Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2011.

The year is 4045. Alien invaders stream into our galaxy, forcing besieged planets to band together for mutual survival. 

Amidst this chaos, Adrian Stannis, a brilliant scientist, is caught in the crossfire between an Empire that is descending into tyranny and the growing rebel force that opposes their heavy-handed methods. All he wants is a peaceful life, a fully stocked lab in an obscure corner of the galaxy, and a reliable instruction manual on how to handle the opposite sex, but, unfortunately, while Adrian may be a mild-mannered scientist, he can build weapons that can destroy worlds and the Empire is very interested in those weapons--and it doesn't take 'no' for an answer.

Not to mention, he's harbouring a secret that may determine the course of the war. The Empire is the start of an exciting series that will determine the fate of the future.

Adrian Stannis is driven, he knows that one day, they'll come for him. Maybe one day soon. And when they do, he needs to be ready, he needs to be hardened, he needs to be unfeeling.

Kali Mirren longs to break through Adrian's hard exterior, she can almost see the tenderness that he works so hard deny.

The Empire wants Adrian and the secrets he's keeping, and they'll break him to get them.

The Empire by Elizabeth Lang tells the story of Adrian and Kali. Adrian has already failed the Empire once, he destroyed what he'd worked on for, but now, they're back, ready to mind rape him once again. Kali knows there's more to that cold exterior than Adrian letting on, but to let go even a little, might let those who want to steal his mind, his soul, in to the place he's worked so hard to hide. Can he learn to love again, to trust? And what will happen to him if he does?

The Empire is a saga of intergalactic travel and war, and an Empire that will do whatever is needed to make sure they're the victors, even destroying the one scientist who might be able to save them all. I found myself drawn to these characters. To Adrian who had such a thick mental wall surrounding him, it was impossible to see inside, to Kali whose tender care Adrian found himself in and craving, to Sester, the cruel psychostrategist who'd use everyone and anything to achieve his goals, no matter the consequences, literally. If you find yourself drawn to stories of space travel, to epic stories, then this might be the read for you. Throw in a growing love story, and romance readers have a reason to pick this one up too. I very much enjoyed this seemingly quick read, and recommend it to others who enjoy the genre. 

Five out of five fairy kisses for this reader.

 I received my copy of the ebook from Page Turners Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.