cover image God Emperor of Didcot

God Emperor of Didcot

Toby Frost. Myrmidon Books, $14.95 (323pp) ISBN 978-1-905802-24-1

Frost follows the characters from 2009's Space Captain Smith as the battle for galactic domination focuses on the planet Urn, which provides the majority of the galaxy's tea, source of the British Space Empire's moral fiber (or fibre) and strength. Isambard Smith and the alien Suruk the Slayer forge an alliance between Suruk's people and the British Empire to reclaim Urn, and more importantly, tea. To free the planet, they must battle the Ghast battle leader 462 and the human religious fundamentalist Johnny Gilead, who have created a messianic figure to rule Urn as a figurehead. Although part of a series, this outing stands on its own. Frost's attempts at comedy often detract from his intriguing story and characters, but aliens and strange societies build a pleasantly old-fashioned space opera atmosphere.