Preview
  • Shards of Earth

  • The Final Architecture, Book 1
  • By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
  • Narrated by: Sophie Aldred
  • Length: 18 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (220 ratings)

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Shards of Earth

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: Sophie Aldred
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Publisher's summary

From the author of the thrilling science-fiction epic Children of Time, winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award. Shards of Earth is the first high-octane, far-future space adventure in Adrian Tchaikovsky' 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd
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Critic reviews

"One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction." (Christopher Paolini)

What listeners say about Shards of Earth

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The narrator's style does not suit the book

The story is relatively good. Not particularly novel.
The narration does it no favours. This is not a failing on the narrator's part, Sophie is quite competent in her own right. This is a production failure. It's like watching prima ballerinas performing in an MMA ring; a bit cringy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A compelling introduction to a new galaxy

The author does a job of introducing and building a new complex, future Milky Way. There are several alien species and an intriguing political web. The science is plausible enough but still a fantasy.
I will read the next book because I struggled with the narration. The "acting" didn't match my interpretation of the characters. However, the voice was very pleasing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

started a bit slow

took me a while to get into the story, but after a few chapters I started to really like it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Okay

I have mixed feelings about this novel. The ending leaves most things unfinished but did cement character interplay. It was big on action but this supposed science fiction novel was really light on science. I won’t carry on reading this series but this one was just okay.

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

Great space opera and the narration is fine.

If you like a good, adventurous space opera this book will suit you.
Someone else really disliked the narrator, but it’s fine.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good solid interesting story.

Not going to change your life, but an engaging tale that appealed to my Peter F Hamilton / Alastair Reynolds sensibilities. There seems to be a lot of hate for the narration, I found it totally fine. enjoyed the story and the performance.

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

It was exquisitely performed

I liked the characters, the contemplative style of writing and how the plot tied in nicely towards the end.

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

fine space opera

I enjoyed this title as the initial offering into a wider world. much like a tourist on a fast moving tour bus it was sometimes hard for me to keep all of the alien races and factions straight. however, I just held on for the ride and didn't bother trying to grasp all of the details so that I could just enjoy the scenery. I enjoyed this as much as the Children of Time and series and will definitely finish the rest of the titles.

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

Great start to a sci-fi trilogy.

I found this totally compelling writing, and listening.

I think Sophie Aldred does a brilliant job the the characters, particularly Oli and the Hivers.

Looking forward to the next two

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

Great adventure

Tchaikovsky doing it again. Love his stuff. A long adventure with a lot of players

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