Christopher Paolini

July 25th, 2234: The crew of the Adamura discovers the anomaly.

On the seemingly uninhabited planet Talos VII: a circular pit, 50 kilometers wide.

Its curve not of nature, but design.

Now, a small team must land 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, and for one it is a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe.

Each step they take toward the mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last.

And the ghosts of their past follow.

A Fractalverse Novel

Fractal Noise

This was essentially a novel about finding meaning and purpose in life after experiencing major loss - but in space. Dealing with grief while carrying on with life - which so happens to include being a xenobiologist on a mission exploring a new planet. I would never have read this book if it weren’t written by Chris P, and as always, he doesn’t disappoint. Definitely was an easier read after putting in the work reading TSIASOS. 

Sophia 

Joy Bush

Thank you NetGalley, Tor and Macmillan for an ARC of this audiobook for an honest review.

This book shows why sci-fi is my favorite genre. The plot of this book is about a 4 person crew on a desolate alien planet going to investigate a giant black hole. That's the plot, but that's not what the book is really about. 
It's about the journey, it's about the characters and the personal trauma they bring with, it's about religion/philosophy, and why we keep moving forward in the face of such hardships, major wounds, exhaustion, being worn down by the wind and the constant noise. 
The writing is fantastic and the audio brings it to life with great narration, character accents, music, and the constant Thud of the fractal noise. 
I can't wait to meet the author this Saturday!

This read a little bit like a fever dream, so I guess it makes sense that Paolini was inspired to write this from a dream he had. I’m not sure this story really needed to be told but there were interesting parts. I love this universe Paolini has created- it’s so incredibly fleshed out and I enjoyed being back in this space. It’s also only 250 pages so the story does move quickly but it feels like a bit of a downer until the last two pages. Commentary on religion was interesting but felt a little surface. The main character was relatable in his grief, but confusing when he would observe things that unsettled him, yet refused to step in and potentially change the situation for the better. I’m much more excited for his work coming later this year!

Katie Allard

C. J. Daley 

This is the prequel novel to To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, or Book ‘0’ in the Fractalverse, and it was long awaited for me for sure. I received the audiobook via NetGalley, and I was so stoked to get it early. 

This was definitely a story meant to deepen the lore that’s within TSIASS, but what I liked the most was that it’s also a full story on its own. A small team of scientists leave the Adamura in 2243 after discovering the Anomaly—a 50km, circular pit found on Talos VII. The pit appears to be by design, not nature, and wouldn’t it be incredible to be the first to ever step foot there? Find out when this drops this month! 

Jennifer Hale does a fantastic job with the audio performance. She brings personality and style to each character, bringing them to life. The author does a great job also creating a diverse cast that highlights the universe and lore he’s already created. The science reads as believable, and that’s always my favorite kind. The emotional thread the author uses throughout also does a fantastic job to draw you in and hold you tight. 

My only nitpicks are that some of the *thuds* the production added in kind of sound like someone literally just tapping a microphone. Then the other one is that I did find the ending to leave a bit to be desired. It’s by no means bad, I just wish for more. 

Personally a 4/5*. I can definitely see this stuff being turned into film.

Fractal Noise A Fractalverse Novel

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