The Mirror Empire

by Kameron Hurley
The Mirror Empire cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Fantasy
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  • ID: 9396
  • Added: 2025-12-24
  • Updated: 2025-12-24
  • ISBN: 9780857665577
  • Publisher: Duncan Baird Publishers
  • Published: 2014-08-26
  • Reviews: 3

On the eve of a catastrophic event that reshapes continents, a troubled orphan uncovers her bloody past while evading death and slavery. As the dark star rises, an illegitimate ruler struggles to hold together a country fractured by civil war, a young fighter is asked to betray his family, and a half-Dhai general faces a choice between eradicating her father's people or loyalty to her Empress./n/nAmidst tense alliances and devastating betrayals, the Dhai and their allies attempt to hold against an unstoppable force as enemy nations prepare for a cosmic convergence. The fate of worlds hangs in the balance, and in the end, one world will rise while many will perish.

Reviews
Rosalyn Kelly · Rosalyn Kelly · 2018-02-12
intriguing 3.75

The book offers a richly detailed world and complex characters, but the plot can be challenging to follow. The author's world-building is impressive, though the story's intricacies may overwhelm some readers.

Rosalyn Kelly's review highlights the intricate world-building and the depth of the characters in The Mirror Empire. She praises the author's ability to create a vivid and immersive setting, filled with unique cultures and political dynamics. However, she also notes that the complexity of the plot can be a double-edged sword. The story's multiple layers and interconnected narratives can be both fascinating and confusing, making it a challenging read at times. Despite this, the review underscores the book's strengths in character development and its exploration of themes like power and identity.

Quick quotes

    The world-building is some of the most imaginative I've encountered in a long time.

    The characters are complex and well-developed, adding depth to the story.

    The plot can be dense and confusing, which may detract from the overall experience.

Fantasy Literature · 2015-09-22
engaging 4.00

The book is engaging and set in a fascinating world, with a unique sense of wonder. The reviewer appreciates the rich mythology and the depth of the story, despite some minor issues.

The reviewer from Fantasy Literature finds The Mirror Empire to be an engaging and immersive read, set in a fascinating world. They praise the book's rich mythology and the depth of its story, highlighting the unique sense of wonder that permeates the narrative. The reviewer acknowledges some minor issues with the plot and pacing, but overall, they find the book to be a compelling and imaginative work. They appreciate the author's ability to create a vivid and detailed world, filled with complex characters and intriguing political dynamics. The review underscores the book's strengths in world-building and its exploration of themes like power and identity.

Quick quotes

    A unique sense of wonder and one of the most imaginative world-buildings I've encountered in a long time.

    The story is engaging and set in a fascinating world.

    The book has a few flaws, but they are overcome by the richness of the world and the depth of the story.

Books, Bones, Buffy · 2014-09-09
confusing 3.25

The book presents a dazzling and fantastical world with strong female characters, but the story can feel fractured and confusing. The reviewer appreciates the unique setting and the depth of the characters, but finds the plot difficult to follow.

The reviewer from Books, Bones, Buffy is captivated by the fantastical world and the strong female characters in The Mirror Empire. They highlight the book's unique setting and the depth of its characters, particularly the women who drive the narrative. However, they also express frustration with the story's structure, finding it fractured and confusing. The reviewer feels that the complexity of the plot can sometimes overshadow the strengths of the characters and the world-building, making it a challenging read. Despite this, they acknowledge the book's potential and the author's ambition.

Quick quotes

    A fabulous and fantastical world, a dense and complex plot.

    Female characters that steal the show.

    A fractured story that left me dazed and confused.

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