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Slow Gods

A space opera of breathtaking imagination from the most original voice in speculative fiction

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About this listen

 'ASTONISHING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING' Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time

From the million-copy-bestselling Claire North - one of the most original and dazzling voices in speculative fiction - comes an intergalactic tale of conspiracy, war and the fall of empires.

My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze, and I am a very poor copy of myself.

In telling my story, there are certain things I should perhaps lie about. I should make myself a hero. Pretend I was not used by strangers and gods, did not leave people behind.

Here is one truth: out there in deep-space, in the pilot's chair, I died. And then, I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me.

This is the story of the supernova event that burned planets and felled civilizations. This is also the story of the many lives I've lived since I died for the first time.

Are you listening?

Discover this thrilling and breathtakingly imaginative space opera from the multi-award-winning Claire North, perfect for fans of Ann Leckie, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Iain M. Banks and Arkady Martine.

Praise for Slow Gods:

'An extraordinary novel that will surely be shortlisted for multiple awards' SFX

'The best kind of science fiction: mind-blowing and wildly thought-provoking' Kirkus

'North's worldbuilding is dizzying and dazzling, full of fascinating and convincing characters (human, AI, and other), and thought-provoking meditations on destiny, duty, and power. Add in a doomed romance and stirring action, and this immersive, inventive space opera proves a sheer delight' Publishers Weekly

'Deeply imaginative and achingly human, Slow Gods lures you gently into the dark between the stars' Megan E. O'Keefe, author of Velocity Weapon

'A riveting and complex story . . . One of the best science fiction books of 2025' Locus©2025 Claire North Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Fiction Interstellar

Critic reviews

North's talent shines out (SUNDAY TIMES)
North goes from strength to strength (GUARDIAN)
An original and even dazzling writer (KIRKUS)
The best kind of science fiction: mind-blowing and wildly thought-provoking
An extraordinary novel that will surely be shortlisted for multiple awards
An astonishing, thought-provoking and above all touching story of found meaning and lost humanity
A riveting and complex story . . . One of the best science fiction books of 2025
Deeply imaginative and achingly human, Slow Gods lures you gently into the dark between the stars
Epic and enthralling . . . North's worldbuilding is dizzying and dazzling, full of fascinating and convincing characters (human, AI, and other), and thought-provoking meditations on destiny, duty, and power. Add in a doomed romance and stirring action, and this immersive, inventive space opera proves a sheer delight
This is a gloriously inventive story with a protagonist as unique and compelling as Martha Wells' Murderbot or Anne Leckie's Justice of Torrens, in a first-person narrative that spans centuries and covers star systems scattered by hundreds of light years . . . In Slow Gods, North gives us a wide-ranging enthralling, resonant and cathartic fable of our own world's predicament but anchors it with individual characters, both participants and witnesses to events, that we can connect with
North's talent shines out
Claire North goes from strength to strength
North is an original and even dazzling writer
Claire North's writing is terrific, smart and entertaining
Claire North is a true original, a master of ingenious plotting and feats of imagination
One of the most intriguing and genre-bending novelists
All stars
Most relevant
I loved Harry August, a long time ago. I didn’t enjoy 84K and haven’t listened to the author since. I’m clearly missing out. This was a brilliant book that I’ve enjoyed hugely.

A superb novel

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Very hard to follow. Very hard to grasp where the story was going. I absolutely wax lyrical about Harry August. I can understand why Adrian Tchaikovsky liked it. I had the same feeling about his work. Maybe I’m just a bit thick but this seemed to lean toward the pretentious. More interested in impressing other SciFi writers than fans. Sorry Claire. I don’t think the hammy performance helped.

A speech impediment of a story

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I'm already a fan of Claire North and listen to all her books. This one is, for me, the best yet. It has the typical scale and remarkable view of the world but is even more creative and kind. She can see straight through to the heart of an issue and ask, what is right? Big, fat recommend.

Blown away

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The story didn’t really go anywhere - there is so much scope but it’s all a bit vague.

Also, the weird gendered pronunciations really got on my wick!

Slightly Disappointing

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Very reminiscent of other books and it just went nowhere interesting. I gave up, which is unusual for me.

Nothing wrong, just long winded and it lost my attention

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