Alien Clay Audiobook By Adrian Tchaikovsky cover art

Alien Clay

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Alien Clay

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: Ben Allen
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About this listen

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
Adventure First Contact Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera

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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Fascinating Alien World Compelling Story Concept Excellent Narration Imaginative Evolutionary Ideas Superb Writing
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another Great Book

If you have read his Children of Time series and enjoyed it then you will like this book.

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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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excellent

great listen and hopefully this will turn into a series. I also recommend listening to the interview at the end.

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Great story

Enjoy his books that include animals nature in space loved the spider one Children of time

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Thoughtful

I liked everything about this book. I liked the juxtaposition of The Mandate with the human body. Not too long, not too short. Just enough real biology with inventiveness. Oh, and I love how he does characters. Good narration as well

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Classic Sci-Fi

Very much classic sci-fi in the vein of Lem or LeGuin but IMO a more engaging writing style. The first person view from the perspective of an arrogant professor is interesting and colorful and the pacing and structure are well-considered. I do think it got tedious and repetitive towards the end when describing how Kiln changed people, but otherwise entertaining sci-fi. If a sequel comes out I’ll spend a credit on it.

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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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Crosses so many genres, being a credit to each!

A masterwork: blending philosophy, horror, sci-fi, and so much more. I don't know how someone can be so talented writing in so many areas, and making it seamless. One of those stories I'll be revisiting for many years to come.

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Another New Classic

God, I just love this author and his mind. This book is just classic Adrian Tchaikovsky, bringing a breadth of knowledge and a new universe of thought.

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The ideas!

Such a new and creative explication of evolution, maximizing life, using sentience as the path to wholeness (not sovereignty).

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