When the Bough Breaks

The Empire's Corps, Book 3

By: Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

The Galactic Empire is dying. In their high towers, the Grand Senators plot and struggle to grasp a larger share of power while on the streets, the poor struggle to survive just one more day. Chaos and anarchy are running through the megacities of Earth, while giant corporations tighten the screws and colony worlds plot to declare independence and escape the Empire's increasing demands for resources. Centuries of mismanagement are finally catching up with the human race. The end cannot be long delayed.

Specialist Belinda Lawson, a Marine Pathfinder who survived the fighting on Han, is assigned to serve as a bodyguard to the Childe Roland, the Heir to the Imperial Throne, and attempt to prepare him to be Emperor. But Roland is a puppet and a spoilt brat - and, perhaps, the only hope of saving the Empire, if he can be redeemed in time.

And yet, as shadowy figures prepare to make their final bid for apotheosis - or nemesis - it may be all she can do to keep her young charge alive.

©2012 Christopher G. Nuttall (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Good Stuff

Aside from the author excessively pointing out rape, and the abuse of women in a declining society, I enjoyed it. but I've read a lot of post apocalyptic books that were able to do the same with better taste.

Well thought out, but also sometimes predictable.

The narrator is good, but sometimes bland.

Exceptional

The author obviously served and it shows in the best kind of way. All to often mil-sci-fi pulls me out of the experience with baffling poor understanding of how military institutions and individuals function. Not that Mr. Nuttall's work is a duplicate of a military service per say (this is certainly sci-fi), but there is an authenticity here which is sorely lacking in the genre. Also the book brings up some very valid and pointed social commentary. Excellent all around.

Much better than 1 and 2

This story opens up the potential in the series.
I'm glad I gave the series one more chance.

Is this a view of our future

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Scared the hell out of me. It is like looking into a crystal ball.Change some names to current news makers and you can see our future. Our government and the Grand Council are the same. It is uncanny.

thanks one moved things along. good stuff

another good book in the series. awesome direction and now you may know what coming but no way to see how.. looking forward to book 4

loved it

great way for the earth to end! A fresh look on how society collapses and empires fall.

from hate to love

I started out very disappointed that the story did not cover the characters you knew from the first book but soon came to really want to know more about the new characters.

Back story

This book doesn't follow Stalker & Avalon. Instead it tells you what was happening on Earth & the Empire. Definitely expands the universe that Christopher Nuttall has created. Excellent book-just not completely about the Terran Marine Corps

All history, nothing like the first two books

Would you listen to When the Bough Breaks again? Why?

Not likely, since it is mostly a history of how the empire fell. It doesn't follow any of the characters from the first books. still it is a very riveting story of how the empire falls, and what happens when people rely completely on government for food and support.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book doesn't really focus on one particular character, but i would say the development of the prince was my favorate thing about the book.

What does Jeffrey Kafer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is good at doing the different voices in a way that makes you forget one person is reading.

Any additional comments?

The book reads more like a history book in fictional form.This book lays out all the reasons why the marines in the first two are stranded, and why they must learn to survive outside the empire. The story does have hero's, mainly the prince's body guard,but like I said before, don't expect the story to be focused on one group or person like the first two books.

excellent

Love the continue struggle of humanity ways to reinvent itself to continue to exist & thrive!