Description

From the author of the thrilling science-fiction epic Children of Time, winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award. Shards of Earth is the first high-octane, far-future space adventure in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Final Architecture trilogy.

‘One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction’ – Christopher Paolini, author of Fractal Noise

The war is over. Its heroes forgotten. Until one chance discovery . . .

Idris has neither aged nor slept since they remade his mind in the war. And one of humanity’s heroes now scrapes by on a freelance salvage vessel, to avoid the attention of greater powers.

Eighty years ago, Earth was destroyed by an alien enemy. Many escaped, but millions more died. So mankind created enhanced humans such as Idris – who could communicate mind-to-mind with our aggressors. Then these ‘Architects’ simply disappeared and Idris and his kind became obsolete.

Now, Idris and his crew have something strange, abandoned in space. It’s clearly the work of the Architects – but are they really returning? And if so, why? Hunted by gangsters, cults and governments, Idris and his crew race across the galaxy as they search for answers. For they now possess something of incalculable value, and many would kill to obtain it.

‘Enthralling, epic, immersive and hugely intelligent’ – Stephen Baxter, author of the Xeelee Sequence

Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky:

‘He writes incredibly enjoyable sci-fi, full of life and ideas’ – Patrick Ness

‘Thoughtful, sweeping space adventure’ – SFX

‘Brilliant science fiction’ – James McAvoy

Publisher Review

If Homer had written space opera . . . Enthralling, epic, immersive and hugely intelligent. This might be Tchaikovsky's best so far, and that's saying something -- Stephen Baxter Adrian Tchaikovsky: king of the spiders, master worldbuilder, and asker of intriguing questions. His books are packed with thought-provoking ideas (as well as lots of spiders; did I mention the spiders?). One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction -- Christopher Paolini He writes incredibly enjoyable sci-fi, full of life and ideas -- Patrick Ness A thoughtful, sweeping space adventure -- SFX Magazine A rip-roaring space opera featuring starship battles, genetically enhanced superhumans and multiple weird and wonderful aliens . . . I can't wait to read the next one -- New Scientist Full of sparking, speculative invention . . . The Doors of Eden is a terrific time-slip/lost world romp in the grand tradition of Turtledove, Hoyle, even Conan Doyle. If you liked Primeval, read this book -- Stephen Baxter on The Doors of Eden The Doors of Eden shows a combination of tight, evocative prose combined with erudition. In a story whose scope is the broad canvas of the history of all life in the universe, Tchaikovsky manages to zoom in on human moments without breaking a sweat. Inventive, funny and engrossing, this book lingers long after you close it -- Tade Thompson on The Doors of Eden Breathtaking scope and vision. Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers -- Gareth Powell on Children of Ruin Brilliant science fiction and far-out world-building -- James McAvoy on Children of Time I cannot recommend it enough. It's a helluva first contact story, and that's only like its 5th most interesting feature! -- Ezra Klein, New York Times columnist, on Children of Time