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Fractal Noise

A Thrilling Novel of First Contact and a Sunday Times Bestseller

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Fractal Noise

By: Christopher Paolini
Narrated by: Jennifer Hale
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About this listen

Fractal Noise is the thrilling prequel to the masterful space opera To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by internationally bestselling author of Eragon, Christopher Paolini.

On the planet Talos VII, twenty-three years before the events of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, an anomaly is detected: a vast circular pit, with dimensions so perfect that it could only have been the result of conscious design. So a small team is assembled to learn more – perhaps even who built the hole and why. Their mission will take them on a hazardous trek to the very edge of existence.

For one explorer, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. For another, a risk not worth taking. And for xenobiologist Alex Crichton, it’s a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe. But every step they take towards that mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last. Ultimately, no one is prepared for what they will encounter.

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

 Adventure First Contact Military Science Fiction Space Exploration Space Opera

Critic Reviews

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 on Fractal Noise)

A powerful piece of SF, with intelligent writing and big ideas

(Adrian Tchaikovsky 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 on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars)

Rollicking pace, rapidly developing stakes . . . A fun, fast-paced epic that science fiction fans will gobble up

(Kirkus Reviews on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars)
All stars
Most relevant
I’m a long time fan of eragon and Christopher Paolini’s other book asleep in a sea of stars.
I feel this was a let down it was very dark and there wasn’t a favourite character they were all annoying.

Not what I thought it would be.

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I truly enjoyed this book and the narration is 10/10. Yes, it is a slow burner and more on the psychological side of things and not as much sci-fi or mystery but I loved every minute of it.

Yes a slow burner but still a masterpiece

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an absolutely beautiful book, helped me through a recent depressive episode. much like Paolinis Inheritance, it reads like a transcribed memory. every scene was perfectly rendered within the scope of protagonists point of view, and i was truly touched by his existential introspection. There were some truly beautiful segments, pondering on the nature of reality and his place within it. this book was a very personal journey for me and I feel I can say no more here. read it or don't, I am very grateful for its existence, and it deserves its place in the universe.

a work of art, reads like a transcribed memory

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While I enjoyed Paolini’s To Sleep in a Sea of Stars I often found the immense scope of that novel difficult to contain in my little head. The slow deliberate pacing of Fractal Noise was a wonderfully focused exploration of humans pushed to the brink. It reminded me in some ways of the ominous shadow that hung over some of Michael Crichton’s work like Sphere and Prey. I thoroughly enjoyed it and Jennifer Hale gives a fantastic performance.

A deliberate exploration

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After a long time
Finally a refreshing human story in a alien world which actually makes sense and touches a human mind and hearts

Refreshing

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