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To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

Epic space opera from the author of Eragon

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To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

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

Goodreads Choice Award for Best Science Fiction Novel

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is a masterful epic science fiction novel from the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of the Inheritance Cycle, Christopher Paolini.

Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds
Now she’s awakened a nightmare

During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.

As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.

While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope . . .

Praise for Christopher Paolini and his work:

'Christopher Paolini is a true rarity' – Washington Post

'An authentic work of great talent' – New York Times Book Review

'A breathtaking and unheard of success' – USA Today

'Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic' – People

 Adventure First Contact Science Fiction Space Opera

Critic Reviews

A powerful piece of SF, with intelligent writing and big ideas (Adrian Tchaikovsky)
Rollicking pace, rapidly developing stakes . . . A fun, fast-paced epic that science fiction fans will gobble up (Kirkus Reviews)
The skills honed in his YA fantasy series, Inheritance, are on full display here in his vibrant world building, especially in the mythology of the alien tech. Paolini populates this universe with a large cast of interesting and relatable characters . . . lending the story a sincere emotional depth. Highly recommended for fans of James A. Corey's The Expanse series and for fantasy fans willing to try space opera (Booklist starred review)
Fans of all kinds, one can be sure, will come to question, and stay to explore (Washington Post)
Great space opera with rockets on (Daily Mail)
An authentic work of great talent (New York Times Book Review on Christopher Paolini)
A true rarity (The Washington Post on Christopher Paolini)
A breathtaking and unheard of success (USA Today on Christopher Paolini)
Paolini make[s] literary magic (People on Christopher Paolini)
All stars
Most relevant
Story:
I loved Paolini's "The Inheritance Cycle", so naturally was looking forward to a new story from him. I'm so glad I stuck it out.

There were times when I zoned out, finding it lengthy and boring (and this comes from a lover of long fantasy books and series). I may have missed important story lines as a result, but couldn't bring myself to re-read these dull areas unless I felt something didn't make sense or I'd missed something vital.

I feel this book would have been better if it was broken up into a trilogy or series of books. Way too much time was invested in explaining the back story and various nuances contained in this particular Universe. As a reader we needed to know this information, however, it became "information overload" and took away from the actual story. Rather, this information could have been "drip fed" over a series of books, making it easier to bare and not so boring. It was a monster of a book with such great, thought out cultures, technologies, species and Worlds. It would have been great if Paolini could have taken his time with the story, expanding it to the size a story like this needs, rather than condensing the monster into a single book.

In saying this, I absolutely loved the story! Paolini has a wonderful imagination and creates believable Worlds that are well thought out and scientifically explained.

Performance:
This is the first time I've heard Jennifer Hale narrate a story. It took a little time to get used to her style, but by the end I adored her! At the beginning I thought she was quite monotone and rushed, however, as the story developed I realised she was very well suited to the story and it's characters. I particularly enjoyed her rendition of the mad ship mind Gregorovich. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Jennifer Hale and will definitely look out for her future narratives.

Should have been a trilogy or series...

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Story was well constructed and narration performance is top shelf.... felt engaged the whole way through.

Great story and great value.

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an amazing story with an amazing narrator. a great and very long escape to get lost in.

a great escape

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Paolini spent the 9 years since the release of Inheritance well. A masterful space opera.

Worth the wait

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As an extreme fan of Inheritance Cycle I was nervous coming into a new Paolini world. But the nerves were for naught. What a fabulous elaborate tale, always moving always going somewhere new.
Jennifer Hale (narrator) was so perfect for this story and does an incredible and engaging job.
Highly highly recommend

FAB-U-LOUS

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