Fractal Noise

A Fractalverse Novel

By: Christopher Paolini

Narrated by: Jennifer Hale

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year 2023

This program features sound design and special effects to enhance your enjoyment of Fractal Noise. Listen out for the sounds of the anomaly at the center of Talos VII and original music evoking the barren landscape.

"Narrator Jennifer Hale's outstanding performance brings this story of alien invasion to life....every unique voice enhances the listening experience." AudioFile, on Earphones Award winner, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

"Jennifer Hale's narration of this sci-fi novel is exemplary work. Her variety of voices and characterizations, as well as her grasp of the intense drama, is stunning. And just when you think she can't get better, she sings in character, and it transforms her entire performance into art. The combination of Paolini's gripping drama and Hale's voice acting should not be missed."- AudioFile on Fractal Noise

"Narrator Hale’s performance backed by immersive sound effects, elevate this science fiction audiobook about a small team of scientists on the precipice of a major discovery."- Booklist

A new blockbuster science fiction adventure from world-wide phenomenon and #1 New York Times bestseller Christopher Paolini, set in the world of New York Times and USA Today bestseller To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

July 25, 2234: The crew of the Adamura discovers the Anomaly.

On the seemingly uninhabited planet Talos VII:a circular pit, 50 kilometers wide.

Its curve not of nature, but design.

Now, a small team must land and journey on foot across the surface to learn who built the hole and why.

But they all carry the burdens of lives carved out on disparate colonies in the cruel cold of space.

For some the mission is the dream of the lifetime, for others a risk not worth taking, and for one it is a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe.

Each step they take toward the mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last.

And the ghosts of their past follow.

The Fractalverse Series

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

Fractal Noise

The audiobook is read by Jennifer Hale, a prolific and highly acclaimed Canadian American voice actress and singer, who has performed an impressive array of characters for video games, audiobooks, and animated television shows. Hale is renowned for her portrayal of Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series and as Rivet in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA. She made her audiobook debut with Christopher Paolini’s To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2023 Christopher Paolini (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Not worth the time.

Adds almost nothing to the universe on the whole. This is basically a fart sniffing story about a guy coming to grips with the fact that his wife died. There is no closure and no answers are provided only questions. The only question worth asking isn't even explored in any detail. Wouldn't buy again.

not necessary

This story is sort of a prequel to a sea of stars but a completely uneccessary read

Boring and repetitive

Had to force myself to get through this one. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars was incredible, intriguing, and had me waiting to hear the next part. Fractal Noise was boring, and so repetitive I had to check if I accidentally went backwards a chapter or two. It adds nothing to the fractalverse, and doesn't even add any detail, explanation, or mystery to anything already in the fractalverse. There is basically no plot, and the end doesn't feel like any kind of conclusion. The characters are all unlikeable, and none feel like there is any depth and very little personality added to them. This book would be more aptly named 'Man Despairs Over Dead Wife'.

No plot

This is nothing like the last book, to sleep among the stars. It has basically no plot, it’s whiny, and in the the end the hole turns out to be not interesting. Julie Heaton did a great job of narrating. She could make the phone book sound good.

Christopher Paolini Delivers Again

My only complaint is that, at the time of this review, there isn't more fractalverse to read. Good Job Chris.

Not what I expected

I am a die hard fan of Christopher Paolini’s work.
I loved To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. Fractal noise is not TSiaSoS. I enjoyed the story and narrator but I was left wanting more from the story. Chris always leaves his readers with unanswered questions and room for speculation but this time around it was almost frustrating. The fractalverse is so interesting and I want to know more! Far from my favorite Paolini book, but I am looking forward to what comes next.

A trudge of a book

This story is in the fractalverse but not for the fractalverse. It focuses on a man fighting through depression while exploring an alien artifact mentioned in To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. The book could lose half, if not two thirds, of its story if you removed the MC constantly repeating the same thing, but worded differently, about their depression.

Subpar

I loved to sleep in a sea of stars.
This one however was blah.
It’s basically about an expedition.
I felt there wasn’t an ending and much more story was needed.
Too bad.
When I start a book I have to finish it, but this one was tough!

Pre ordered… sadness

To Sleep in a Sea of Misery. I thought the voice acting was top notch. The constant boom sound was crazy making, the effect was interesting at first but distracting. Had a hard time finishing the story. But Christopher did a great job at giving context to the work. I had to give him a 3rd star for this. I think the rest of the series is going to be great and I appreciate the innovation that went into the audio book.

Setting the stage for…

More to come. At least that’s what I believe. Some have criticized this book, but having read sea of stars, I see the potential. It was definitely worth my time and my credit. I was entertained, concerned, scared, delighted, and pleased. It’s worth it! I can’t wait for for more.