Calling the Empress
Calling the Empress is a science fiction novel written by George O. Smith and published in 1953. The story follows the adventures of a group of space explorers who discover an ancient alien civilization on a distant planet. As they explore the ruins, they uncover clues that lead them to believe that the Empress, a powerful ruler from this long-lost society, may still be alive and waiting for someone to call her back to power. The novel is known for its imaginative world-building and fast-paced action sequences.
By George O. Smith · First published 1942 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller · 12,170 words
First lines
The chart in the terminal building at Canalopsis Spaceport, Mars, was a huge thing that was the focus of all eyes. It occupied a thirty-by-thirty space in the center of one wall, and it had a far-flung iron railing about it to keep the people from crowding it too close, thus shutting off the view. It was a popular display, for it helped to drive home the fact that space travel was different from anything else. People were aware that their lives had been built upon going from one fixed place to another place, equally immobile. But in Interplanet travel one left a moving planet for another planet, moving at a different velocity. You found that the shortest distance was not a straight line but a space curve involving higher mathematics.
What this Textopian page supports
Calling the Empress is listed on Textopian as a novel by George O. Smith, dated 1942 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George O. Smith
- Date: 1942 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller, Drama, Romance
- Length: 12,170 words
- Structure: 1 section, 282 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Calling the Empress by George O. Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Calling the Empress?
- How does this novel by George O. Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Star Sent Knaves by Keith Laumer
- Wreckers Of The Star Patrol by Malcolm Jameson
- Planet Of Doom by Stephen Marlowe
- The Answer by George O. Smith
- Olga Romanoff by George Griffith
- World Of The Drone by Robert Abernathy
Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in a futuristic universe with space travel, interplanetary communication, and advanced technology as central elements.
- Adventure — The plot involves a high-stakes mission to reroute a spaceship to avoid a planetary epidemic, creating a sense of urgency and excitement.
- Thriller — The narrative includes suspenseful elements such as the race against time to contact the spaceship and the potential consequences of failure.
- Drama — Interpersonal relationships and character interactions, such as those between Channing and Arden, add emotional depth to the story.
Tags
science fiction · space opera · adventure · intergalactic · politics · empire · diplomacy · exploration · technology · conflict · characters · narrative