Fractal Noise

By: Christopher Paolini

Narrated by: Jennifer Hale

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Fractal Noise is the thrilling prequel to the masterful space opera To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by internationally bestselling author of Eragon, Christopher Paolini.

On the planet Talos VII, twenty-three years before the events of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, an anomaly is detected: a vast circular pit, with dimensions so perfect that it could only have been the result of conscious design. So a small team is assembled to learn more – perhaps even who built the hole and why. Their mission will take them on a hazardous trek to the very edge of existence.

For one explorer, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. For another, a risk not worth taking. And for xenobiologist Alex Crichton, it’s a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe. But every step they take towards that mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last. Ultimately, no one is prepared for what they will encounter.

©2023 Christopher Paolini (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Paolini makes the experiences of his well-shaded explorers vivid and gripping through smart worldbuilding and believable stakes. James S.A. Corey fans will be especially riveted (Publishers Weekly)

different..draw out intro .but entertaining.

i also kept hopeing for more to happen.
the story is like a drawn out intro..
and very Nice.. but yea.. kept hoping for more things..
still! a very captive book. plus that narrator she kept me listning. and reeealy awsume sounds to enhance atmosphere.
in the end i am happy i listen to the whole.

Alien (1979) meets Asimov's Rama but with a soul

Let me begin with a praise of Jennifer Hale's narration (songwriting and even singing) which made this book gripping and unforgettable. The production value is awesome. Kudos for the entire team that kept me up all night. THUD. As for the story, it's a dark memoire of loss, grief, heartache, regret eventually giving way to hope. If you ever felt this way and gone through this, it'll be purgatory. The entire plot, even though hard sci-fi gratifying, seems to be just a great big metaphor for what the protagonist is going through internally as the darkness pulls him in. If you like Alien (1979), you should know it's all good with the bonus situation. If you liked Asimov's Rama, but hated its male-only cast and soulless story, you should be happy with this book. Check out The Objective (2008) if you like more of the same. Fractal Noise was worth the sleepless night, even if it was an overgrown short story.

Enjoyed this book

Different but still a good listen. If you are hoping for Aragón in space read something else. This book is different type of story than even To Sleep Among The Stars. It is still a great story, well written and beautifully performed

Stupid Book.

This is a stupid book. I’m a huge fan of Inheritance and To sleep, but this was something else.
If you would enjoy listening to a bunch of space hikers walking around and bickering, then go ahead and give it a read.

What a waste of time

If you expect anything even vaguely resembling a space saga like 'To sleep..' (which I loved) you will be sorely disappointed. I kept desperately waiting for something, anything interesting to happen. It didn't and then it's over.
The slightly depressing cadence of the narration is fitting the themes I guess but even Morgan Freeman couldn't have saved this piece.
Best to skip this one.