Empress of Forever: A Novel

Successful tech founder Vivian Liao is a woman of radical thinking, quick decisions, and reckless action—no wonder she's on the run from her enemies in the government. But Viv has a plan that will save her skin . . . and change the world.

In the chilly darkness of a Boston server farm, Viv sets her plan into motion. A terrifying instant later, she's catapulted through space and time to a far future where she confronts a destiny more bizarre than she could ever imagine.

The end of time is ruled by an ancient Empress who blesses or blasts entire planets with a single thought. Rebellion is literally impossible to consider—until Viv arrives. Trapped between the Pride—a ravening horde of sentient machines—and a fanatical sect of warrior monks who call themselves the Mirrorfaith, Viv must rally a strange group of allies to confront the Empress and find a way back to the world she left behind.

"Tense and vast, complex and twisty, a space opera epic that's a lot faster on the draw than Star Wars or Star Trek ever dreamed of being." — Locus

"Demonstrat[es] the strength, power, and originality at [Gladstone's] command." —Peter Straub, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Talisman

"This feast for the imagination intelligently captures the complexities of a variety of relationships in an adrenaline-fueled series of escapades." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Fantastic." — Booklist, starred review

"Gladstone's . . . fast-paced adventure will thrill readers." — Library Journal, starred review