The View From The Imperium-Jodie Lynn Nye

The View From The Imperium
Jodie Lynn Nye
Baen, Mar 29 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9781439134306

Thomas Innes Loche Kinago has an ego that is greater than the universe as he graduates from Space Academy. His uniform is without one crease; for that matter his wardrobe always look brand new as befitting a cousin of the imperial house whose family has a glorious history of military service affirmed by Kinago’s mother. He knows his parents will be proud of this second son; almost as much as he is of himself. Because of his connections, Thomas earns command of a cutter; though as his valet Parsons points out this is part of Admiral Podesta’s flagship, the I.S. Wedjet.

However, a new threat arises that could destroy the Imperium. A rebel leader apparently has the ability to control minds. The only hope to save the galaxy resides with T.I. Kinago who’s so haughty everyone except his family is beneath his social class. His snootiness may enable him to keep control of his mind, but saving the galaxy requires Parsons to keep his brain too as someone must insure the hero has his suits pressed for the camera.

This is an amusing outer space adventure tale due to the hyperbole characterizations of the lead pair. Thomas is the ultimate megalomaniac; he believes he deserves hero adulation though he has accomplished nothing beyond a diploma and well pressed suits. His valet is accurately described (by Baen) as a Jeeves in space. Although the storyline is a one act joke, readers will enjoy this jocular science fiction thriller as an aristocratic superego is the only hope to save the galaxy from a supervillain only because Kinago’s conceit is so great that even a mind controller may not be able to make any headway.

Harriet Klausner