In the Soul Drinkers series the second book had an Inquisitor show up to hunt them down. Except midway through the book he realizes that his mission is a sham. He's this powerful, well-connected man who has supposedly reached the apex of Imperial Prestige. The big turning point is when he realizes just how many powerful people the Inquisition is formed of and how little the Soul Drinkers matter. A galaxy is at war and this is just one chapter among hundreds. This book almost has this moment and that's as good as it gets. She almost has a moment when she realizes that her empire is one speck of dust in Aqshy. And even then the plot serves to suck her off.

The characters are bland. The protagonist wins through everything she planned going exactly as she plans it. The antagonists simply exist to slow her down, never seriously injure or wound her. Many novels are this predictable, but very few are this boring about it. It's fun to watch Tahlia re-form her crusade, learn her lesson, and march on out. The only fun to be had here is reading the better book you get a tease of after this one. It is only enjoyable if you has a lobotomy and can't remember how the last book went.

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