3 reasons sci-fi lovers should add Mecha Samurai Empire to their reading piles ASAP

The worldbuilding and action sequences in Peter Tieryas’ Mecha Samurai Empire will have science-fiction fans hooked from page one.

Anyone looking for science fiction novels to add to their reading agendas should give Peter Tieryas’ Mecha Samurai Empire a shot. Set in an alternative universe, in which Germany won World War II, the novel follows Makoto Fujimoto as he pursues his dream of being a mecha pilot for the United States of Japan (USJ).

Unfortunately, Makoto’s test scores and physical ability make it unlikely that he’ll ever get into a serious military academy. It doesn’t help that he spends the majority of his waking hours playing video games, while his fellow students are studying and getting into shape.

But even after receiving the lowest score on his exams, Makoto is determined to do whatever it takes to become a mecha pilot — especially after his best friend is deceived by terrorists and killed in the process. To honor and avenge him, Makoto takes a longer path to become a mecha pilot. Luckily, that longer path may just teach him a thing or two about being a soldier.

Mecha Samurai Empire is a pleasant surprise, with plenty of political intrigue and complex wordbuilding. But if that isn’t enough to convince you, here are three more reasons you might want to pick up this book.

1. The premise and politics are thoroughly crafted.

Reading the synopsis of Mecha Samurai Empire, you may be tempted to shrug it off. After all, the “What if the United States had lost World War II?” story has been done before. But the time and effort that Tieryas puts into crafting the politics and setting of his story make it authentic, thus making a huge difference.

As settings go, the United States of Japan is unique in its own right. The blending of cultures, along with the political tensions between the Germans and Japanese citizens, makes both the setting and concept feel fresh.

The fleshed-out characters of Mecha Samurai Empire also offer a fresh reading experience. Though it can be difficult to keep up with the large cast at times, Tieryas offers readers a wide array of distinct personalities with Makoto at the forefront. And who doesn’t love a conflicted underdog?

2. There’s no shortage of action.

If you’re looking for an action-packed story, Mecha Samurai Empire is a smart choice. It isn’t one of those war novels that builds the tension for hundreds of pages, only to have a single battle take place at the climax of the story.

Instead, readers get to witness mecha fights every few chapters — whether they’re serious clashes between the USJ and American terrorists, or practice battles and competitions that serve as training sequences for the military students.

The action is made even more engaging by the fact that Tieryas clearly did his homework. His descriptions of the technology are detailed and vivid, making it easy to imagine what’s going on. If you’re worried about vague and difficult-to-imagine fighting scenes, you can lose those fears now. You’ll be convinced that Tieryas is an expert in mecha fighters by the time you close this book.

3. It emphasizes the consequences of war instead of romanticizing it.

Despite the awesome mecha battles, Tieryas never downplays the seriousness of war. From the very beginning, it’s clear that the stakes are high. Tieryas isn’t afraid to kill off characters, and Makoto is forced to accept the fact that war comes with casualties on more than one occasion.

Makoto also comes to realize that there’s rarely a morally “right” side in any war. Tieryas makes sure to point out the devastating things the USJ soldiers have done, holding them just as accountable as the American terrorists and Nazis.

Mecha Samurai Empire is as much a political commentary as a science fiction novel, and Tieryas offers a nuanced perspective on how wars are fought and won — and why.

Mecha Samurai Empire hits bookstores on Sept. 18, and it’s a book that should not be missed.