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

Highly rated for:

Fascinating Alien World Compelling Story Idea Excellent Narration Unique Evolutionary Concept Great Voice Acting
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Super good!

Loved it, usually I listen exclusively while wood working or at the gym but this one was so exciting and fresh I had to finish in days. My house is soooo clean now because I couldn’t stop listening and was searching for remedial tasks so I could focus on it. I love a good uprising story!

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    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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mind broadening.

Narration was excellent. This story was different than the the sci-fi stories that I’ve read. An interesting twist that helps to broadens one’s mind .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Relevant and Gripping

a relatively quick read, this wonderful dive into a deeply dissimilar biosphere is engaging yet brilliantly relevant in the current political climate.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of the best Bob's I've read this year

such a novel and wonderful concept. great world with unending novel ideas. and excellent narration.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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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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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story and new twist on alien biology

AT provides a deep dive into one of the strangest configurations for alien life and an interesting story line to go along with it. The imagery is phenomenal and truly mind-bending. I do admit it was a bit verbose and at times rambling on with internal dialog, but I believe this was the point... to put the reader directly in the mind of the primary character. I rated 3 overall because some parts were very confusing, as the author kept referring to "them", "they", "they're" when describing a single person/character. It threw me off as I was trying to figure out whether he was talking about multiple people or just the one. I get it that there is a current fad of pronoun confabulation, but it is distracting and unnecessary. I doubt in the future where this story would be taking place, that this would be still be considered rational.

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