Hidden Empire

I loved the book, and was astonished at the sensitive and perceptive way it dealt with the actions and motivations of sincere Christians. It's a book that you can read quickly, yet one that rewards the time and attention. The fact that Mr. Card is a practicing member of the Latter Day Saints causes me chagrin, as I am more of a generic / orthodox (small c) Christian. Why can't we celebrate our convictions as appealingly as this guy who is not of our persuasion?

Novels containing overt messages of any kind run two obvious risks: they can either subsist as preachy tomes containing uninteresting jargons and themes, or turn out as something offensive and insulting to people opposed to these messages. Hidden Empire, with its explicit Christian slant and unconcealed political views, walks that fine line but stays on it with its beautiful clean prose, fascinating characters, palpable suspense and near-flawless plotting, much to the delight of Science Fiction fans all around. The title is indicative of its prequel, Empire, the first novel of the series based on a fictional Civil war in America, which, oddly enough, was spawned from an idea for a video game being developed by Chair Entertainment at the time. For a book based on a video game, the material in between the covers of Hidden Empire feels strangely mature and deep. But no franchise ever feels too trivial for a writer such as Orson Scott Card. He merely tackles each franchise as if they are of the same importance. This is a mark of a true professional. For a story dealing with a contagious plague such as this one, it does offer far more authenticity and depth than one expects. Card never leaves any doubt with the amount of research he put into the writing of this book, but that can only be good for old time readers of Science Fiction. A plague starts off in Africa and it spreads like wildfire. Most die but some natives survive, including Chinma, one in the absorbing cast of characters Card puts in the book, the first to get the disease. Averell Torrent, the president of the United States, stands on the center stage, being the mediator for the salvation of the world from this plague. He offers help like only America can. Every plot point creates a push and pull. None of them feels coincidental or, more importantly, lackluster. It reads like Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park-- --But with Card's trademark style. Card uses every trick of suspense to great effect and overlaps his prose with good characterization and dialogue. He doesn't allow the pace to wan but accelerates it, seemingly, with every line and paragraph. While some parts do feel `hyperactive' and `hollywoodish' -as Booklist has keenly pointed out-- there can be no mistaking the explosive energy and excitement the narrative brings to the readers. One is apt to keep turning the pages, if only to experience more major (and poignant) shocks along the way. That's why this book succeeds to a high degree. You find yourself accepting even Card's most overt messages and devouring the action. Looking for a page-turner? You got one. Even first timers to Science Fiction will gobble this up.

"You know that I can't do this without reducing democracy to a sham, at least for a while," said Torrent. "It already is," said Cole. "Whatever we have, it hasn't been democracy for decades." Orson Scott Card has made a solid name for himself with the futuristic vision of his Ender series and the magic of his Alvin Maker novels. With HIDDEN EMPIRE, Card forgoes mysticism and science fiction advancements to once again settle into the near future landscape of an America coming out of a new civil war and a world in flux. In doing so, he successfully presents a haunting vision of an America as it is...or as it could be. HIDDEN EMPIRE opens with Chinma, a young Nigerian boy who is the lesser son of his family. He is beaten by his siblings and generally ignored by his elders. He seems to be slower than the others in most regards except for one skill --- he is a master at catching monkeys, and makes good money in capturing them for the scientists. On the fateful afternoon that his brother is bitten and he himself is sneezed on, Chinma's world --- and the world as a whole --- is changed for all time. These particular monkeys are sick, and their virus quickly claims Chinma's brother and those in contact with him. It is not long before the "monkey sickness" is spreading at a virulent pace, leaving an astounding body count in its wake. Averell Torrent, a political scientist and adviser who found himself able to take advantage of a collapsed government, is the new President of the United States. As news of the "monkey sickness" reaches his desk, he makes a decision to quarantine the entire continent of Africa in a bid to hold the virus at bay. His command is met with strong resistance from Christians who protest that they should be permitted the opportunity to travel to Africa as aid workers. He also meets Chinma, who has been granted asylum in the U.S. after watching an army of guerrillas sent by the Nigerian government murder the survivors of his village. He is now the last of his people. And having had the sickness already, he is immune. Chinma volunteers to go back to Nigeria with the aid workers who are finally permitted to help. He is the only one who knows the full life cycle of the virus. Cecily Malich, an adviser to President Torrent, resigns her position to go with her son, whose religious belief calls him to his duty as a servant to the sick. At the same time, Torrent has sent troops --- led by Bartholomew "Cole" Coleman --- with impressive new military equipment to secure the scientists and aid workers and protect them from harm. When the sickness infiltrates the military establishment, however, danger approaches from militants, and some begin to wonder if Torrent doesn't have more of a hand in the situation than he lets on. Card really excels in presenting the story of Chinma, easily the most magnetic of the characters in HIDDEN EMPIRE. The tale is rife with both despair and hope, and when the book focuses on his fragment of the story, it

Although there may be those that will bash OSC for this overtly Christian themed book, there is little else to actually be critical of here. Sure this book is a sequel to "Empire" but that book was the "novelized" form of a video game script. Empire was very good for what it was, but was not up to OSC's usual standards in my opinion. This new story "Hidden Empire" is everything one could ask for (unless you are overtly anti-religion)in a novel. The book has exciting action, tender moments and wonderful philosophy. The book also has some scary and in my opinion warranted and timely political warnings. For those that felt "Empire" was a "Right Wing diatribe", it should be clear here, that although OSC is a devoutly Christian man, and a somewhat conservative in many viewpoints, he is far from the hard core "Right. He is just a man who has values and holds to them, and thinks they are reasonable, and therefore others ought to as well. Don't we all feel the same way about our values? I think Hidden Empire works as a stand alone novel, but you may want to read "Empire" as well if you haven't already, just remember why that book was written in the first place. The most important thing to read in that book is the afterward, which can be found on OSC's website hatrackriver. So here's the deal, "Hidden Empire" is a very worthwhile read almost anyone should enjoy. 4 ½ *

In this sequel to his acclaimed thriller "Empire", legendary science fiction writer Orson Scott Card once again shows that he can write great books in any genre. "Hidden Empire" continues the story begun in Empire - an increasingly partisan and volatile American electorate is manipulated by a masterful politician/academic who brings the Democrats and Republicans together, effectively giving himself absolute power. Fictional President Averell Torrent is that man. He sees the world in broad historical strokes, and secretly patterns himself after Augustus Caesar, who transformed the Roman republic into an unstoppable empire. Torrent is the ultimate strategist and opportunist, using natural crises and calamities as the catalysts to reshape the world according to his vision. The convenient crisis that rears its head is a new and very deadly African virus that is ravaging the dark continent, leaving 50% of its victims dead. President Torrent institutes a quarantine blockade of the entire continent in order to contain the disease. Once the disease has run its course, he deposes the illegitimate warlord governments and redraws the borders of the African nations in a more enlightened way. The three heroes of the book are Cecily Malich, her son Mark, and Colonel Coleman ("Cole"). We know Cecily and Cole from the first book. Cecily is the widow of Reuben Malich, the hero that thwarted the progressive rebellion and restored peace. She is also a close advisor to the President. Cole was Reuben's sidekick, and now leads his tightly woven team of expert special ops soldiers, who are sent into Africa to protect American interests and prevent genocide among the warring factions. Hidden Empire has an overtly Christian theme, which is articulated by Cecily's thirteen year-old son Mark. When a grassroots movement arises among Christian groups, who insist that they to be allowed to violate the quarantine and go to Africa to care for the ravaged plague victims, Mark insists that it is his Christian duty to go help. Of course his mother says no, but he eventually prevails, arguing that the Christians' selfless care of plague victims was what eventually propelled ancient Christianity into prominence in the Roman Empire. Regardless of the risks, it's what Christians do, so not helping would be hypocrisy. So Cecily resigns her position with the President and she and Mark go to Africa, putting themselves in the middle of the action as the President's schemes unfold. With "Empire", and now "Hidden Empire", Card has proven that he has fully mastered his foray into the techno-thriller genre. The book takes place in the present day real world. All of the cool military technology that the author utilizes in the story is either presently available or at least conceivable in the short term. The pace of story is blistering and relentless. Try to imagine an episode of the television show 24, but written by Tom Clancy. It's like that. Card effectively weaves the themes of oil g