“Foundation and Empire”, book number two.

Well just got done with the second Foundation book. And now I've confirmed what I've always known: that this is a good series, maybe not the greatest, but is good.

So now the foundation, with it's by Hari Seldon and use of science and technology, has survived the savagery and greed of it's neighbors. But now even the cleverness and courage it has would not be enough. The Empire, once the most powerful force in all of the galaxy, is was more dangerous than ever now that it's dying.

And things get even worse when a strange and mysterious individual known as the Mule appears on the scene, with bizarre powers that are beyond comprehension. And just who, or better yet what, is the Mule? And how shall humanity defend itself from a seemingly invincible force of annihilation?

The last book, "Foundation," was comprised of five stories. "Foundation and Empire", yet another fix up I have now read has only two.

The first part, or the first story should we say, "The General" revolves completely around the conflict between the foundation and the dying galactic empire. I am definitely getting some Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back vibes from it. Maybe not as strongly as I would think, but I still feel it.

In "The Mule" I'm introduced to an antagonist who is quite mystery to begin with. And what this mystery reminds me of most vividly, and in an ultra obvious way, to the mystery that surrounded Darth Vader, of all people, in the first Star Wars film.

Encyclopedia Galactica make the rounds again, as well as the mentions of Hari Seldon's name are also in abundance. There's also the inclusion of a prologue in the second that is used as recap in a way that is like (and here it comes again!) that of the way the Star Wars films used prologues during each opening to bring the audience up to speed.

Again this is turning out to be a good series. Now honestly, and so once again I am repeating like a broken record, it isn't the greatest, but it ain't the worst. I've already started on the third book right now and after that ones done it's off to different pastures.