# Identify a SCIFI book **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [November 24, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081 "2025-11-24T00:40:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Adversary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@Adversary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adversary)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081/1 "2025-11-24T00:40:59Z")
I am looking for an old SCIFI book I read, not really old but at least 20-30 years I am guessing. Items that help identify it: (spoilers!!!) Space Opera like setting Emperor and people he deems worthy are made immortal. People made immortal paint pictures in shades of black and enjoy them. Woman who can feel everyone’s emotions and wears a "bracelet? to block off the feelings. House in the mountains that is sentient, has AI. Commander sent to rescue Emporer’s sister who is being held hostage. They send in a tiny drone that goes into a cup of water and then can hear the conversation in the room? Hope that is enough to get an answer! Been bothering me for a while.. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081/2 "2025-11-24T00:46:10Z")
I think it’s _ **The Risen Empire** _ by [Scott Westerfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Westerfeld). ---
**Author:** ![Adversary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@Adversary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adversary)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081/3 "2025-11-24T02:30:08Z")
You got it in one! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081/4 "2025-11-24T04:59:00Z")
🫡 ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081/5 "2025-11-24T16:41:17Z")
Is it legit for me to camp on here with a similar request? If not I’ll happily delete this and start a new thread. At least 30 years ago I read a science fiction novel. Here’s what I remember of it: - took place on a planet, not on spaceships - main character was female - either nobility of some sort or at least wealthy - she had a brother with a short name (“Rif” or something) who was a sexual sadist and would abuse the female staff …and that’s all! I almost certainly own it, as I wasn’t using libraries much back then, which means it’s on my several shelves of SF. But I’ve looked repeatedly and just don’t recognize it. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081/6 "2025-11-24T21:28:21Z")
It rings a bell but I can’t exactly think of a definitive answer. You may have better luck in this thread: > [@Ask the guy who is pretty good at SF Story Identification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-is-pretty-good-at-sf-story-identification/462417): > > Hi there. It’s been just about 4 years since I signed onto the SDMB, but I’m back. A few weeks back I helped out in this thread [Help me find this Science Fiction short story - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=476861) with a story identification (by emailing the answer to Wendell). If you’ve got a story you’d like me to try to identify for you, give a description (include a rough idea of when you read it, and as many details as you remember) and I’ll give it my best shot. Andy ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-scifi-book/1025081/7 "2025-11-24T22:48:02Z")
Thanks, Frodo, I’ve asked there!