Description

Fractal Noise is a compelling story of first contact and a gripping standalone prequel to the To Sleep in a Sea of Stars – by internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini.

Humanity is not alone . . .

25 July 2234: The crew of the Adamura discovers an anomaly on an uninhabited planet.

They find a circular pit, fifty kilometres wide, its curve not of nature but design. A small team must land on Talos VII and journey on foot across the surface to learn who built the hole – and why. But they all carry the burdens of lives carved out on disparate colonies in the cruel cold of space.

For some, the mission is the dream of the lifetime; for others, a risk not worth taking. For one, it is a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe. Every step they take towards the mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last. And the ghosts of their past follow.

Praise for To Sleep in a Sea of Stars:

‘Big and fun – the book Paolini fans have been waiting for’ – John Scalzi

‘A fun, fast-paced epic that science fiction fans will gobble up’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘An epic tale of first contact, travels to the edge of the galaxy, and just maybe the fate of all humankind’ – Goodreads

Fractal Noise was a Sunday TImes hardback bestseller in May 2023
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars was a New York Times bestseller in September 2020

Publisher Review

A powerful piece of SF, with intelligent writing and big ideas — Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Children of Time series on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars Paolini’s impressive imagination has produced an action-packed SF adventure that zings along at hyperluminal speed, with Kira as one of the most memorable characters of the genre — Peter F. Hamilton, author of Pandora’s Star on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars Breathes new life into the classic first encounter narrative. . . . Paolini makes the experiences of his well-shaded explorers vivid and gripping through smart worldbuilding and believable stakes. James S.A. Corey fans will be especially riveted — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review This pulse-pounding science-fiction novel pits human curiosity and technology against alien tech deep in the cosmos . . . An excellent starting point for the series as a whole * Library Journal * Paolini understands that in the best character-driven science-fiction stories, the alien tech is never as interesting as the human relationships. Tense and gripping * Kirkus Reviews * Mounting tension, danger, and uncertainty . . . Shows Paolini’s range as a storyteller * Booklist * Dazzles with otherworldly delights – and unearthly nightmares. — Newsweek on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars