Fractal Noise cover art

Fractal Noise

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Fractal Noise

By: Christopher Paolini
Narrated by: Jennifer Hale
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About this listen

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 Adventure Fiction First Contact Military Science Fiction Space Opera Space

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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)
All stars
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Even the amazing narrator Jennifer Hale could not save this book.
I had have very high expectations after the author’s previous book the To sleep in a Sea of stars but sadly this book was not even close to it.
Simply a boring long walk of a grieving man with a nonsense ending.
No action, no storyline, no likeable characters.

Disappointing and depressing

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I admit it wasn't quite as good as I was hoping, the narrator was good however the story didn't quite grab me the way other books by the author usually do

Was ok

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Wouldn’t really recommend this. Great concept but not well executed with more questions than answers. Could have used a quarter of the time for the lack of storyline.

Slow

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Books OK, but not the same level as authors first book. The good, the narrator is very good and the story was OK. same narrator as used on the first book. not so good, Book is too slow for a book that's 10 hours, Also not much happens. Still i would say its worth a read still..

Books OK, but not same level as authors first book

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I loved to sleep in a sea of stars - just hope this author will go more towards this approach - a great storyline & characters. I will seek out this narrator who has a perfect voice & delivery

Never gets anywhere

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I tried my best to get into the story line but even after comming a way from it and going back I just wasn't interested. The build up is very slow and I honestly feel like the ending of the book should have been the start of it because it only became remotely interesting in the last chapter. I would like to say that the voice actress did a fantastic job and look forward to hearing more of her work in the future.

I wanted to love it

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Enjoyable for me as I like his style of writing and narration was great. This is the only story he has begun where the main character has a sense of what is happening in the world and isnt from a secluded with a perfect start lends some realism as opposed to the heros journey formula from other books. Just different and subtle

Existential

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I love listening to Jennifer Hale. She nails the story and characterisation with the voices. Having already listened to her narrate the chronologically later book ‘Among a Sea of Stars’ I knew what to expect. She didn’t let me down, even singing at one point.

As for the story arc, it fills a gap in the other novel. But does so ponderously at times. Too much time is spent listening to the main character wallow in his self-pity after losing his wife (there’s no spoiler alert needed as you discover this early on).

The slow build up to the predictable end is tiresome at times unlike the other novel). You feel like slapping the main character out of his remorse and telling him to get on with life. His personal realisation in the end redeems him, just.

The book leaves lots of unanswered questions. Having read the events in Sea of Stars I’d have preferred more answers. Once again the explanation at the end of words and terms, and a future timeline, are a nice touch and help create the illusion of a possible future.

It’s not long and fills in a little of the gap. If you can put with what is effectively whining by the main character throughout, you can at least get to a conclusion as to the artefact which forms a footnote in the related novel set some 20 years later.

Enjoyable if somewhat long winded part of the Sea of Stars tale

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The story starts strongly, building a sense of mystery with good character development. But... nothing really happens for the remainder of the book! We don't learn anything new about the initial mysteries. There's lots of philosophical conversation and soul searching. This story could have been so much more! I imagined at least half the book would be devoted to what they find inside the alien structure. Maybe that's a story for another book?

Strong start, weak finish, too much navel gazing

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Definitely a prequel, the narrating is amazing as usual, I really like the sound effects.

Prequel

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