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A review by wordsofapaige
Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Adrian Tchaikovsky has written another winner, and, naturally, it's filled with animal-inspired aliens you can't help but love. Crab-like creatures who makes great accountants, anyone? This is the start to a truly epic adventure that sees you travel across the universe, visiting various planets and experiencing the unspace. The unspace is a particular favourite of mine. Tchaikovsky has taken FTL travel and made the bit in-between a terrifying non-existent place where no one but you exists. Plus there's a presence that might just drive you insane.
It took me maybe 50 pages to truly get into this book. The first section barrages you with names and species and factions, and it took me a while to truly put everything together. However, once I had that down I flew through the rest of the story. Planets have been colonised, alien species met and factions created, so you're well and truly flung into a universe where humanity has colonised space. It makes for a refreshing change as the story can focus purely on the main plot, with no first contact style sub-plots going on.
The architects are truly epic species. Moon-sized creatures that appear and destroy planets with no apparent understanding of the living beings around them. They make for a terrifying nemesis as there's no apparent plan, or threats, and it's not even clear if they know they're in a war. The humans wage war on the architects, however we have no idea if the architects know this, or if they're just going about their business as usual. I'm excited to continue the series to find out what is actually happening with the architects and why they do what they do.
To me Idris and Solace are the main characters here. Two people who lived through the war, and who met in an epic battle against an architect. They've been apart ever since but Solace is sent to find Idris to try and recruit him.
Idris is a Int, which means he can survive unspace and can touch the minds of the architects. He is one of only a few people who survive this process and Ints are incredibly important people to have by your side.
Solace belongs to a group of genetically engineered women soldiers. She made for a wonderful character as she gets caught between her loyalty to her sisters and her loyalty to Idris and the crew.
In addition to these two are a whole host of other characters. We have the rest of the crew, who all have their places and uses, and who really help create the sense of loyalty within the group. I loved the cast of characters here.
I can't wait to continue the series and to learn more about the architects and unspace. Tchaikovsky has written the start to a series of epic proportions, and you'll be missing out if you don't pick this one up.
Adrian Tchaikovsky has written another winner, and, naturally, it's filled with animal-inspired aliens you can't help but love. Crab-like creatures who makes great accountants, anyone? This is the start to a truly epic adventure that sees you travel across the universe, visiting various planets and experiencing the unspace. The unspace is a particular favourite of mine. Tchaikovsky has taken FTL travel and made the bit in-between a terrifying non-existent place where no one but you exists. Plus there's a presence that might just drive you insane.
It took me maybe 50 pages to truly get into this book. The first section barrages you with names and species and factions, and it took me a while to truly put everything together. However, once I had that down I flew through the rest of the story. Planets have been colonised, alien species met and factions created, so you're well and truly flung into a universe where humanity has colonised space. It makes for a refreshing change as the story can focus purely on the main plot, with no first contact style sub-plots going on.
The architects are truly epic species. Moon-sized creatures that appear and destroy planets with no apparent understanding of the living beings around them. They make for a terrifying nemesis as there's no apparent plan, or threats, and it's not even clear if they know they're in a war. The humans wage war on the architects, however we have no idea if the architects know this, or if they're just going about their business as usual. I'm excited to continue the series to find out what is actually happening with the architects and why they do what they do.
To me Idris and Solace are the main characters here. Two people who lived through the war, and who met in an epic battle against an architect. They've been apart ever since but Solace is sent to find Idris to try and recruit him.
Idris is a Int, which means he can survive unspace and can touch the minds of the architects. He is one of only a few people who survive this process and Ints are incredibly important people to have by your side.
Solace belongs to a group of genetically engineered women soldiers. She made for a wonderful character as she gets caught between her loyalty to her sisters and her loyalty to Idris and the crew.
In addition to these two are a whole host of other characters. We have the rest of the crew, who all have their places and uses, and who really help create the sense of loyalty within the group. I loved the cast of characters here.
I can't wait to continue the series and to learn more about the architects and unspace. Tchaikovsky has written the start to a series of epic proportions, and you'll be missing out if you don't pick this one up.