Reviews

Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini

nclarke84's review

4.0

This prequel to Paolini’s Fractalverse novel ‘To Sleep In a Sea of Stars’ was published refreshingly quickly after the ten year wait of that juggernaut novel.

This time round, we have an entirely different writing style, with none of the flashy lasers and jellyfish-like sentient aliens of the first novel.

I won’t say too much as there are already many great reviews already. I much preferred the story length this time, as well as the discovery and exploration aspect of the book. The incessant THUDS emanating from the ‘mysterious hole’ grated on me towards the later half of the novel, although I suppose this was the idea as it was the same for the characters within (perhaps this would be better in audio form, which I hear is superb). The main character Alex spends the majority of the novel disconsolate with grief, and I would have liked a more satisfying conclusion back on the space ship for him and some answers about the hole and the turtle-like aliens. Wonderful storytelling nevertheless.

I look forward to reading future Fractalverse novels and of course the upcoming return to Alagaesia!

bethanymoebes's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cjackson451's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

redeyesinferno's review

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

grundlbundl's review

3.0

Disappointing as a prequel to TSIASOS, but very funny as an anti-novel. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong and there is no meaning.

mjbeck20's review

adventurous dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

ameliaknudson's review

adventurous dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

dennoj's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

elisegmusic's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

A beautiful prequel for To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. A giant hole is discovered on a planet that scientists are studying, a hole too symmetrical and perfect to have been created by nature. A team of four scientists are sent on an expedition to the planet to study this phenomenon. 

With four people in close quarters, on an alien planet where they are completely isolated, Paolini does a great job showing us the human psyche. Alex is still grief-torn for his partner who recently died. Pushkin is scared of the planet and the possible aliens who might still be lurking there. Talia is driven, possibly by a religious fanaticism, possibly by her dark past, to get as close to the hole as possible. These characters get in each other’s hair, argue about religion and philosophy, and tension builds the closer they get to their destination. 

A great read if you like sci fi, space travel, and delving into human nature.

chudleycannons's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25