Fractal Noise cover art

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 Fiction 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)
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I admit it wasn't quite as good as I was hoping, the narrator was good however the story didn't quite grab me the way other books by the author usually do

Was ok

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Just a description of one visual image, dragged out with uninteresting mishaps to ge tthere. Final epiphany does not make up for endless mind numbing arguing about religion

not a developed plotline

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I love To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and was super excited to get back into the universe. How I wish the author hadn’t bothered. It has nothing to do with the first book, most of the time it wasn’t clear what was going on, and just when it starts to come together and get slightly interesting it just… stops.

Very disappointing - can’t wait for an _actual_ sequel to TSiaSoS.

Dull and doesn’t really go anywhere

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I was hoping for so much more after listening to TSIASOS.
Jennifer Hale, once again was absolutely fantastic, however I think the story lacked so much, left more questions than answers and added absolutely nothing to the fractalverse.
Paolini could have done so much.
Gutted to say, but I'm disappointed.

Anticlimactic and disappointing

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The story starts strongly, building a sense of mystery with good character development. But... nothing really happens for the remainder of the book! We don't learn anything new about the initial mysteries. There's lots of philosophical conversation and soul searching. This story could have been so much more! I imagined at least half the book would be devoted to what they find inside the alien structure. Maybe that's a story for another book?

Strong start, weak finish, too much navel gazing

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