Shards of Earth Audiobook By Adrian Tchaikovsky cover art

Shards of Earth

The Final Architecture, Book 1

Preview
Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Shards of Earth

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: Sophie Aldred
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.56

Buy for $20.56

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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's Final Architecture trilogy.

'One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction' Christopher Paolini, author of Fractal Noise

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.

'Enthralling, epic, immersive and hugely intelligent' – Stephen Baxter, author of the Xeelee Sequence

Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky:

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

'Thoughtful, sweeping space adventure' – SFX


‘Brilliant science fiction’ – James McAvoy

©2021 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd
First Contact Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Space Opera Interstellar War
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup
Engaging Tale • Exceptional Characters • Complex Universe • Original Storyline • Adventurous Space Opera
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
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.

The narrator's style does not suit the book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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.

A compelling introduction to a new galaxy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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

started a bit slow

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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.

Okay

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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

Great space opera and the narration is fine.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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.

Good solid interesting story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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

It was exquisitely performed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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.

fine space opera

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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

Great start to a sci-fi trilogy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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

Great adventure

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews