Name: Naomi J.'s review of Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Item: Eyes of the Void
Rating: 3
Author: Naomi J.

Adrian Tchaikovsky

From the author of the thrilling science-fiction epic Children of Time, which won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award. Eyes of the Void is the second high-octane instalment in Adrian Tchaikovsky's Final Architecture space opera trilogy. ‘One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction’ – Christopher Paolini What waits in the shadows as we fight our greatest foe? After one great battle, the Architects disappeared. Yet humanity’s fragile peace is brief. For, forty years later, the galaxy’s greatest alien enemy has returned. This time, the artefacts that preserved entire worlds from destruction are ineffective. And no planet is safe. The Human Colony worlds are in turmoil as they face extinction. Some believe alliances with other species can save them. Others insist humanity must fight alone. But no one has the firepower or technology to ensure victory, as the Architects loom ever closer. Idris spent decades running from the last war’s horrors. Yet as an Intermediary, altered to navigate deep space, he’s one of humanity’s only weapons. He’s therefore forced back into action. With a handful of allies, Idris must find something – anything – to stop the Architects’ pitiless advance. But to do so, he must return to the nightmare of unspace, where his mind was broken and remade. What he discovers there will change everything. Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky: ‘[Adrian] writes incredibly enjoyable sci-fi, full of life and ideas’ – Patrick Ness, author of The Knife of Never Letting Go ‘Brilliant science fiction’ – James McAvoy on Children of Time ‘Full of sparkling, speculative invention’ – Stephen Baxter, author of the Xeelee Sequence on The Doors of Eden

Eyes of the Void

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

After the first book in the series had such incredible, addictive worldbuilding and a fun plot, this sequel was all (rambly) worldbuilding and the vestiges of very dull plot. I did not care about the human politicking. And the technique of taking Idris to three different places where he could sit still and have very rambly thoughts about the architects was… not great. I’m not sure we learned anything interesting about the overarching plot by the end of the book, except maybe one or two little details that could have waited till the last book. I wonder if this should have been a two-book series. I’m still curious enough about the answers to book one’s questions that I’m willing to read on to book 3. But the answers had better be worth it!

Naomi J.

Alice Hyman

Idris got really really annoying in this one. Like in the first book I enjoyed the representation of the nasty side of anxiety and how difficult it is to communicate verbally sometimes - and the frustration that you get from it - Tchaikovsky did an amazing job at making you feel that sort of helpless frustration and irritation. But in this one I just felt Idris was just listening to his ego. Like his main character complex had completely gone to his dead.

Okay so now thats out of the way we can get onto the actually cool characters - like Ollie. Ollie deserves a whole series to herself. Like her character is very private but what we do see is so heartbreaking as well as just epic. The found family is strong with this series and I love it.

This is a really great sequel for Shards of Earth and definitely doesn’t suffer from second book syndrome. The story progressed really naturally and stakes were definitely raised. I now can’t wait for book 3 !

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky