Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro

I have been reading a ton lately so you think I wouldn't have been this absent.  Well, I'm back with another book recommendation! Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro, a science fiction book set in the future where mankind has made it to the stars.  Two warring empires fight for control of the human race, the Skolian Empire and the Eubian Concord.  Both sides believe the other is evil, both sides believe they must destroy the other to save the galaxy.  In the middle of all this tension is Sauscony "Soz" Valdoria, a Jagernaut Primary and heir to the title of Imperitor.  She meets a man named Jaibriol Qox ,a membor of the Eubian Concord, and their destinies are intertwined forever.

This is a very very well written book and that is saying something because Asaro is not originally a writer.  Miss Asaro actually has a PhD in Physics and was a scientist most of her life. As of now, she has written more books then I am aware of, and many that are in the same universe as Primary Inversion, so I can't say that she isn't a professional writer, but, as far as I'm aware, this was her fist book and it is very very good.  It has a very compelling storyline and characters but the thing that I appreciate the most is that the science is more or less accurate.  Of course there is science that is more "future what-if" kind of stuff but its rooted in scientific principles we either know or have theories about today.  It is a very enjoyable read.

There are probably half a dozen, if not more, books set in this universe but I'd recommend starting with this one.  It sets up everything that is needed and explains how everything works.