Shards of Earth: First in an extraordinary trilogy, from the winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award (The Final Architecture, #1)

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

From the author of the thrilling science-fiction epic Children of Time, winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award. 

'One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction' - Christopher Paolini

Shards of Earth is the first high-octane instalment in the Final Architecture trilogy.

The war is over. 
Its heroes forgotten. 
Until one chance discovery . . .

Idris has neither aged nor slept since they remade his mind in the war. And one of humanity's heroes now scrapes by on a freelance salvage vessel, to avoid the attention of greater powers.

Eighty years ago, Earth was destroyed by an alien enemy. Many escaped, but millions more died. So mankind created enhanced humans such as Idris - who could communicate mind-to-mind with our aggressors. Then these 'Architects' simply disappeared and Idris and his kind became obsolete.

Now, Idris and his crew have something strange, abandoned in space. It's clearly the work of the Architects - but are they really returning? And if so, why? Hunted by gangsters, cults and governments, Idris and his crew race across the galaxy as they search for answers. For they now possess something of incalculable value, and many would kill to obtain it.

Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky:

'Enthralling, epic, immersive and hugely intelligent' - Stephen Baxter on Shards of Earth

'He writes incredibly enjoyable sci-fi, full of life and ideas' - Patrick Ness

'Brilliant science fiction' - James McAvoy on Children of Time

• ISBN10: 1529051886
• ISBN13: 9781529051889
• Publish Date: 27 May 2021
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 18 December 2023
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Imprint: Tor
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 560
• Language: English
• URL: https://panmacmillan.com/authors/adrian-tchaikovsky/shards-of-earth/9781529051889

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Shards of Earth is the first novel in Adrian Tchaikovsky's latest series, The Final Architects Trilogy. It's an extensive science fiction novel, as only Tchaikovsky could ever dream of pulling off.

Mankind had to find new ways to stay alive following the destruction of the earth. They created enhanced humans, ones with linked minds and the ability to communicate with the enemies. It made them the deadliest of opponents. And humanity's best defense.

Idris is one of those humans. After the Architects vanished, it seemed like people such as him had no purpose in the great expanse of space. However, Idris and his lot know that war is never far behind, especially when questions have been left unanswered.

Honestly, I'm almost at a loss for words here. Shards of Earth is every bit the intense and expansive science fiction novel that I had hoped it would be. Arguably, it is so much more than that. In fact, my brain is already demanding a second read-through of this novel, just to make sure that I captured every detail.

On that note, it's probably worth mentioning that it is every bit as dense as it is tense. There is a lush backstory for readers to delve into, not to mention a plethora of characters and motivations to understand and appreciate.

It makes the world (universe) come to life, and it feels vibrant and threatening all in one. It's perfect, especially for fans of epic space operas. This is a novel that will not disappoint; I can promise you that much.

Thanks to Orbit and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks