A Confusion of Princes

March 12, 2012
In this exciting space opera, 19-year-old Khemri is a Prince of the Empire, one of 10 million Princes who rule much of the galaxy under a mysterious Emperor and an AI called the Imperial Mind. Raised in splendor by mind-controlled slaves, physically and psychically augmented, and virtually immortal, Khemri, like the other Princes, is intensely self-centered, assuming that he will someday become Emperor. A year into his formal training, however, he is sent on a mission to the fringe world of Kharalcha where, stripped of his augmentations, he must fight space pirates and the forces of the Empire. Falling in love with a naval reserve officer, Khemri takes the painful first step in learning what it means to be human. Writing in the mode of Robert A. Heinlein or Andre Norton (to whom the book is dedicated), Nix (the Keys to the Kingdom series) has crafted an adventure filled with hostile aliens, deadly spaceship battles, cybernetic wonders, humor (often involving Khemri’s naïveté), and a touch of romance. The book is tied to a planned online MMORPG, Imperial Galaxy. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

June 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-Khemri is one of the newest Princes of the Empire and as yet unaware that mortal peril accompanies the luxuries, servants, and technological augmentations that come with his rank. The intergalactic Empire is directed by the Imperial Mind but run by millions of Princes who all compete to become the next Emperor. First among Khemri's servants is his Master of Assassins, Haddad, who guides and protects him on his first journey to the Naval Academy. There Khemri meets Morojal, a mysterious priestess who tells him that the Emperor has plans for him. From that point onward, Khemri's life takes many strange turns, even to the point of having to live as a regular human beyond the bounds of the Empire. It is then that he meets Raine and learns with her that it is possible to care for someone other than himself and something other than the Empire. Khemri seems to be on a path to becoming the Emperor but will he be able to choose another fate? Nix once again proves his mastery of speculative fiction by creating a society unlike any in his previous works. In this single volume he manages to tell a tale that is grand in scope with vivid characters and imaginative technology. Science fiction fans should enjoy his vision while the author's longtime devotees will find new reasons to appreciate him.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 20, 2012
Khemri is a prince of the empire, which governs the staggeringly huge population of humanity scattered across the galaxy. Taken from their parents as children and equipped with the ultimate in technological and biological enhancements, each of the million princes exist to enforce the will of the imperial mind, the consciousness at the heart of the empire. Should a prince die, the imperial mind can even restore them to life. This does not mean that the life of a prince is easy. Khemri soon discovers that his world is filled with deception, uneasy alliances and murder, as the princes vie for power and prestige. Garth Nix’s books have always had a wider audience than just young adults, and in this book he walks the line between his various readers so well that I doubt that anyone who likes science-fiction will not enjoy this immensely. It’s part space opera, part coming-of-age story, with an exploration of the perils of power and a hint of romance. On top of all this, A Confusion of Princes is also a tie-in to the ‘Imperial Galaxy’ online game and will have a serious social media presence. Be prepared for this to be huge, you have been warned!

Stefen Brazulaitis is a freelance reviewer and the owner of Fantastic Planet, a specialist genre fiction bookstore in Perth

July 1, 2012
Khemri's coming-of-age story begins with his emergence from years of genetic and technical "remaking" to take up his title of Prince, but eventually he begins to reinterpret all he's been taught about the Empire. Die-hard adventure story readers will be enthralled, but Khemri's cheerfully self-deprecating tone and unpredictable choices make this romp entertaining on multiple levels.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from May 1, 2012
Nix's gaming-inspired, sci-fi fantasy is a pleasing mix of high-adventure space drama, total bunkum (e.g., "it's functioning on the tertiary backup level, without a holo"), and wry, boyish charm. Khemri's coming-of-age story begins with his emergence from years of genetic and technical "remaking" to take up his title of Prince. But he's only one of millions of Princes in the Empire, and immediately finds that Princely life isn't the easy, glamorous ride he'd imagined. Instead he has to join the Navy, suffer manifold humiliations, and, if he wants to live, heed his personal Master of Assassins. But Khemri's telepathic intelligence is above average, and eventually he moves into a new sort of training that involves him becoming an almost normal human. That experience and his native intelligence cause him to reinterpret everything he's been taught about the Empire. Nix's fantasy has enough gadgets, escapes, battles, duels, deaths, and near-death experiences to keep die-hard adventure story readers enthralled. Happily, Khemri is also a thoughtful, winsome, and somewhat complex character, and his cheerfully self-deprecating tone and unpredictable choices make this romp entertaining on multiple levels. deirdre f. baker

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from March 15, 2012
Exuberant and insightful, this science-fiction bildungsroman grapples with the essential question: "Who am I?" After 16 years of intensive training and superhuman augmentation, Khemri is ready to take his place as Prince of the mighty intergalactic Empire. Alas, he immediately finds out that his status isn't quite as exalted as he had always thought. To start with, there are tens of millions of Princes, and most of them are out to kill him. Khem must negotiate a deadly maze of military training, priestly recruitment and even Imperial interest, never knowing whom he can trust. He can rely only on himself--and all the mechanical, biological and psionic enhancements that far-future science can provide. Until the day even that is stripped from him... From the riveting opening sentence to the final elegiac ruminations, this is rip-roaring space opera in the classic mold. Add a perfect protagonist: Overprivileged, arrogant and not nearly as clever as he thinks, Khemri's first-person narration is also endearingly witty, rueful and infinitely likable. Perhaps his account relies a bit too much on "had I but known" foreshadowing, and the secondary characters are thinly sketched accessories to the hero's personal journey. But the rocket-powered pace and epic worldbuilding (with just the right amount of gee-whiz technobabble) provide an ideal vehicle for what is, at heart, a sweet paean to what it means to be human. Space battles! Political intrigue! Engineered warriors! Techno-wizardry! Assassins! Pirates! Rebels! Duels! Secrets, lies, sex and True Love! What more can anybody ask for? (Science fiction. 14 & up)

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February 15, 2012
Grades 8-11 There's always the possibility for any prince to be chosen as emperor, but, in a vast empire of ten million biologically and mechanically augmented princes, Khemri discovers thatassassination attempts and imperial interference asidelife as a prince isn't what he'd been led to believe. While on a secret mission to hone his skills and expand his knowledge, he meets Raine, a young woman who changes his perspective and, as a result, Khemri begins trying to fulfill his true potential. Aurealis Awardwinning author Nix develops an empire conceptually reminiscent of the sf classic Dune (1965), with an emphasis on house loyalty and political machinations. He keeps the details fresh through use of sf tropes, employing them to explore big-picture issues like morality and ethics under the guise of a rousing space opera. Khemri's first-person point of view, along with a fast-paced, action- and plot-driven story, is sure to appeal to fans of the Star Wars universe and any number of first-person shooter video games. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The latest from New York Times best-selling Nix is pubbing to some serious fanfare. Expect an author blog tour, a targeted Facebook ad campaign, a collectible poster, and more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)