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Alien Clay

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: Ben Allen
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Publisher's summary

From Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky comes a far-future epic that confirms his place as a modern master of science fiction, in which a political prisoner must unlock the secrets of a strange and dangerous planet.

The planet of Kiln is where the tyrannical Mandate keeps its prison colony, and for inmates, the journey there is always a one-way trip. One such prisoner is Professor Arton Daghdev, xeno-ecologist and political dissident. Soon after arrival, he discovers that Kiln has a secret. Humanity is not the first intelligent life to set foot there.

In the midst of a ravenous, chaotic ecosystem are the ruins of a civilization, but who were the vanished builders and where did they go? If he can survive both the harsh rule of the camp commandant and the alien horrors of the world around him, then Arton has a chance at making a discovery that might just transform not only Kiln, but distant Earth as well.

This audiobook edition includes an exclusive interview between Ben Allen and Adrian Tchaikovsky.

©2024 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2024 Orbit
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Critic reviews

“Enthralling, epic, immersive, and hugely intelligent.”—Stephen Baxter

“Adrian Tchaikovsky: king of the spiders, master worldbuilder, and asker of intriguing questions. His books are packed with thought-provoking ideas (as well as lots of spiders; did I mention the spiders?). One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction.”—Christopher Paolini

“Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shards of Earth is one of the most stunning space operas I’ve read this year....Tchaikovsky’s world building is on glorious display as he throws all manner of spaceships, creepy aliens and strange technology into a delicious sci-fi soup. It’s dense, it’s funny, it’s exciting, it’s touching and it’s perfect for someone looking for a space opera built on a grand scale.”—BookPage (starred review)

What listeners say about Alien Clay

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  • Overall
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Bleak and amazing

Unlike Children of Time, it took me a while to get into this book. At times very bleak, but not to the point where I wanted to quit. The main characters had depth with flaws and all. Five stars all around!

“Science fiction is politics”
The 10 minute interview at the end of the book is worth a listen.
There are many people that would benefit from reading this book. Especially NOW during this time of politics and authoritarianism.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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This might be my favorite book of the year.

Tchaikovsky is fast proving himself to be the Heir to the dynasty of the science fictions grand masters.

I was a different person when I started this story... I'm still me, but I'm more now.

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Thought provoking mystery

Another great novel by Tchaikovsky. I really enjoyed the mystery and thought it all fit together very well.

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Loved this

Where I found children of time to be a slow start though ultimately very rewarding, this hooked me right from the start. It has a lot to say about the world of here and now from a remote and alien vantage point. There was a moment in the middle where I felt a bit lost and thought maybe I had missed something but it all worked out. Really compelling characters, layered and flawed and relatable even in the most unknowable circumstances, except that we come to know them through Tchaikovsky’s marvelous writing which transports and transcends. Well narrated too. Grateful for the audiobook.

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another masterpiece of the genre

loved it!!! loved it!!! loved it!!!
brilliant on all accounts, best depiction of an alien ecology that I've read to date.

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Different but worth the time it takes to understand

I was quite confused by this book at first but grew to love it. Highly recommend if you love first contact stories of all kinds

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A. T. is unstoppable!

yet another novel where he creates a novel world and explore big themes. This book, and service model cements his ability to destroy common tropes and remove any expectation of where the story is going shortly after the first few chapters. the story's end is extremely satisfying as well!

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Loved it

As a huge fan of Children of Time, this new story from Adrian was exactly what I’ve been looking for. I don’t know of anyone who can convey the feeling of alien better. The narration was perfect as well.

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beautifully written, amazing voice acting

I still love the deep delving into the science and objects of AT's prior works. seems like there was less of that here, rather focusing on the interpersonal relationships and inner monologue of the protagonist. still refreshing and enthralling .

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“Familiar unique”

I say that in my title because the author takes a familiar trope and bends, spins, accentuates it to become as much about people-their strengths, weaknesses, fears of the unknown - as the alien world itself. Don’t get me wrong, his world building here is unique to any sci fi I’ve read…can’t say more or will give away too much but I suspect readers will be fascinated by what he imagined-so unique.

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