See tapestry100's review for a good description of this series. I would add that I found the storytelling a bit confusing and disjointed throughout. There are a number of scenes where neither the writing nor the art helped me understand what was going on. This storyline continues in the Road to War of Kings and the War of Kings graphic novel collections, but I am not sure I will continue with it if this volume is representative of the rest of the series. ( )

Emperor Vulcan picks up right where The Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire left off, with the X-Men who were stranded in space having to form an uneasy alliance with Vulcan to repel the advancing attack of the Scy'Ar Tal, a race bent on the destruction of the Shi'Ar Empire. Not a very satisfying ending, as it's not really clear what happens (are the Scy'Ar Tal destroyed, where did Marvel Girl go?), but I guess it's leaving enough questions open for the follow-up series, Kingbreaker, and the larger War of Kings series. ( )