I didn't love Eragon, which isn't indicative of much, but I think Paolini and I aren't for each other. While the audio production quality is stunning, the accents used for the stereotypically Slavic and East Asian characters were questionable.

I see some other reviewers griping about AI. Both of these are problems, but my main issue here is not connecting with the plot, which sounded great in summary. A random hole? In the middle of nowhere? Sure, go explore it. What could go wrong?

🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Four years ago, I got the ARC of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars which was the first book in the Fractalverse series. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in that audiobook, so I was very excited when I got the ARC of the prequel. It just took me a long time to realize that I had never dove into it until today.

Better late than never, right?

In Fractal Noise, you will meet Alex, Talia, Pushkin, and Chen. Together, they are in space on a mission to investigate a giant hole. Of course, things don't go smoothly on this adventure because tension rises quite frequently amongst the crew. They also seem to be dealing with their own inner demons along the way. Getting to know the characters was pretty entertaining, and if I had to pick a favorite right now, it would be Pushkin.

Then there's the overall mystery of the hole. I don't want to spoil anything about it, but there's something about it that raised lots of questions and eyebrows. What's real? Thud. Who can we trust? Thud. Why were they so influenced by the hole? THUD.

Just like the first book, I really enjoyed the audiobook for this one. It never felt like things were slowing down, and it held my attention until the very last second. I'm not sure if or when we will get another book in this series, but I wouldn't mind getting my hands on that if it becomes a thing.

I didn't love this one as much as TSIASOS, but it was still really well written. It just didn't have certain parts that drew me into the other one so much.

I was curious to see what the author would write as an adult, unfortunately I found his writing to be much the same as it was as a teenager. I was unable to finish the book as I became extremely bored within half an hour of starting it.

"Fractal Noise" by Christopher Paolini is a bold departure from the author's previous works, but it may not resonate with all readers. Set in a dystopian future where society is on the brink of collapse, the novel follows a group of rebels as they navigate a world ravaged by climate change and political upheaval.

Paolini's prose is as vivid and immersive as ever, painting a bleak yet compelling picture of a world teetering on the edge of oblivion. The action is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on their toes.

However, some readers may find the world-building in "Fractal Noise" to be overwhelming or convoluted. The novel introduces a complex array of factions, technologies, and ideologies, which may be difficult to fully grasp or invest in.

Additionally, the characters may not be as fully developed or relatable as those in Paolini's previous works. While the protagonists are certainly sympathetic, their motivations and struggles may feel less compelling against the backdrop of the larger societal collapse.

Despite these drawbacks, "Fractal Noise" offers a thought-provoking exploration of timely themes such as environmentalism, political extremism, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity. While it may not be Paolini's strongest work, it is still worth a read for fans of dystopian fiction looking for a fresh take on the genre.

Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini is almost like the prequel to To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (which I loved). However, don't expect obvious tie-ins. With that noted, I still enjoyed this one. First off, hands down Jennifer Hale is a phenomenal narrator and the perfect choice for Paolini's foray into the fractalverse. This is one series that I think I'll end up loving on audio overall. With a distinct cast of voices, sound design effects and musical accompaniments, it's a literal movie escape for your ears. I have mixed feelings about this one overall. On one hand I loved the first contact type atmosphere, the travel and the alien aspects. What took me away from the plot was the religious aspects and the very deep dive into personal issues. It didn't make me bond with the characters and frustrated me since I felt pulled out of the main storyline. However, Paolini knows how to write and even with the parts that felt distracting to me. This is still an excellent audio to jump on and if you haven't taken the leap on To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, I highly recommend thst audio too! Rating 3.75/5.

“𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴.”

Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy last summer that I’m just now getting around to! (The audiobook is done well, including some sound effects.) Plus kudos to my friend who lent me his copy after having let me borrow the first book in the series, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

Fractal Noise, though the second book, is technically the prequel, set about 30ish years prior to the events of TSIASOS, and could honestly be read as a stand-alone. It is significantly shorter however more existential. We follow this team and their struggles, their tensions, as they make their way to the hole. The overall story provokes questions about faith and religion, value of life vs exploration, authority, and purpose.

Content and trigger warnings include profanity, death of loved ones, and some intense moments of sci-fi violence. If you’ve read TSIASOS then this one will have a much different feel, much different. In some ways there’s a The Martian vibe with it being set primarily on this lone planet with a crew who make the journey across but it also drudges up more difficult issues. And to be honest, I’m still not sure exactly how I feel about it. Fascinating, sure. Offers discussion material, you bet. But you’ll definitely want to read something lighter afterwards.

"Fractal Noise" by Christopher Paolini offers a unique blend of speculative fiction, showcasing the author's creativity and imaginative prowess. The narrative introduces readers to a world of intricate concepts and ideas. However, the complexity of the plot may pose challenges for some readers, making it a bit difficult to fully engage with the story. While Paolini's ambition is admirable, the execution may leave some longing for more clarity. "Fractal Noise" earns a three-star rating, acknowledging its ambition but recognizing the potential accessibility issues.

FRACTAL NOISE takes place in the future, where humanity has developed advanced tech, traveled to distant planets, and studied alien life. The crew of the Adamura has come across something strange: on an unexplored planet, there's a giant hole with a repeating noise coming from it, a pattern too controlled which hints at the possibility of intelligence.

The audiobook was enjoyable, and the narration was done well as if watching a movie. The story does well to create great suspense and the horrors of space exploration. The music is unnecessary as it detracts from some of the words. The main issue in the story is pacing. Everything was slow and repetitive; I think the book could've been half the size and still retained the same information, emotion, and metaphors. Many of the beats were repeated and we didn't learn any new information from those sections/scenes. I wish the crew reached the hole much earlier in the story and not at the end before things took a turn for the worse. The grieving of the MC for his late wife was also stretched out too much when the focus should've been on their mission.

Another issue is the swearing, which didn't seem to fit the context of the story (wouldn't they use some other words in the future since the English language isn't contact?), since the "milder" versions were also used. A lot of new tech is introduced, so why not new and inventive words in the vernacular?

Another issue is the religious and philosophical aspects of the story. I get that some people would use (and abuse) their beliefs to harm others, but this has been overdone by the media to the point where anyone with a belief in a higher power is a villain. I also didn't like how whenever religion is mentioned they're all lumped together as one as if all religious beliefs are the same, which isn't true (and you'd think as scientists with how strong the need for research is, they'd all do their research!).

This ties into characterizations, as they aren't well-rounded, and at times inconsistent with their beliefs and their actions (they felt more like caricatures based on one or two exaggerated traits and not like professional scientists who've been working on missions like this for decades). We're hinted at things that might've happened in their past, yet we still learn nothing about them, which was a huge disappointment. I would've liked to have the MC find out, maybe toward the end or in an epilogue, about the people in his crew.

I do not like the cover as I thought there should've been something to represent the fractal-ness from the story. I also didn't like the subtle portrayal of Muslims in this book including a side character and a referenced character (both have names used by Muslims, yet they were just there for no reason). Should've used non-Muslim names instead.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.

I just couldn’t get into this book. It may have been timing, so I’ll try again later. Thanks #NetGalley for the advance copy.

This was a fantastic entry into this universe- although if you’re expecting a direct sequel, do this! If you know you enjoy scifi and you want a relatively quick read (compared to To Sleep…) this is an excellent choice.

I definitely recommend the audio!

Thank you so much Netgalley & Macmillan audio!

Negatives: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT85T5h8b/

Review:https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT85KBDhb/

I’m going to do the opposite of what I normally do here and start with the negatives….

First, the marketing for this book did it a huge disservice. It was marketed as a prequel for To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.
While it’s technically set in this world it has completely different characters, plot, and all around vibe.

I think had they marketed this as a space horror in the vein of Dan Simmon’s Hyperion, that people would have known what they were in for from the start and had a better reaction. I honestly think I’m better off for having not read Sleep first

Second, and admittedly this isn’t about the content of the book but the cover is AI art and that’s completely on the publisher as they were made aware of it and chose to go that route anyway.

Lastly in the actual text the pacing is somewhat slow and lacks variety in the conflicts. I do however think these are intentional choices by Paolini and work with the story.

Okay anyway, to the actual review

This book centers around a scouting ship discovering The Anomaly on a seemingly uninhabited planet in the form of a perfectly circular pit spanning 50 kilometers wide and sending out regular pulses. The crew sets out to investigate the phenomenon and must face their own internal battles as well.

I think this book really demonstrates Paolini’s range as an author, while somehow always being a journey story. . This one leaning more into horror and character introspection with a main theme being the main character’s grief, but also explores what first contact means in the philosophical sense as in what is humanity’s place in the universe. These are big topics but introduced in a way that leaves reader’s able to wrestle with their own beliefs on the topics.

I do like that the pulse that happens every 10.6 seconds isn’t just in the background. It interrupts the characters thoughts as well as the readers. I feel like you are either going to love or hate that effect.

Without spoilers I think the climax delivers on all its promises of the story and was emotionally impactful. I really enjoyed it overall and look forward to more books in this world.

Christopher Paolini has a way of understanding human behavior and creating complex characters. This story is no different. Paolini takes us to another space and time and displays human emotions and motivation.

"Fractal Noise" by Christopher Paolini is a thrilling and mind-bending science fiction adventure that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The novel's premise, which involves a high-stakes mission to save humanity by deciphering a mysterious cosmic phenomenon, is both ambitious and captivating. The world-building is rich, and the concept of fractal intelligence adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative.

Fractual Noise by Christopher Paolini was so good. I usually don't read sci-fi but liked a few things by this author in the past so decided to give it a go and loved it. The story is a little slow but I think that is necessary for the subject matter. I absolutely loved the prose and imagery. Well done! and the narrator made the story come alive for me.

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

In his latest literary venture, Christopher Paolini once again proves his mastery of storytelling by delving back into the captivating universe of "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars". With a narrative prowess that can only be compared to the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, Paolini once more showcases his remarkable ability to construct intricate and immersive worlds, each brimming with endless imagination and populated by characters as rich and multifaceted as the worlds they inhabit.

In this newest installment, the insatiable drive for discovery takes center stage, weaving its way into the very fabric of the story. Paolini masterfully captures the essence of humanity's innate curiosity and thirst for the unknown, effortlessly drawing readers into a suspenseful journey of exploration and revelation. The allure of uncharted territories and the promise of uncovering hidden truths become palpable as the characters' quests unfold, leaving readers irresistibly hooked.

This was actually a very good audiobook. The narration and effects were wonderful and really added to the overall experience. And although I’m not a massive sci-fi fan, I felt that this book was very well written. The plot was just okay in my opinion, but like I said, the book itself was very well written.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This audiobook was totally immersive which not being over bearing! I loved it and found myself transported to the planet Talos VII and sitting among the MC's as they explore the circular pit which defied nature. We get to know each character and learn about their past lives and what drives them. It is an exciting and immersive experience that any outer space fan should check out.

I had a hard time getting into this. I felt like it was a little slow. I love Christopher Paolini so I stuck it out. The writing was good but the plot couldn't keep my attention. I also LOVED To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, which takes place in the same world so I probably will read the next book. which I guess will technically be the first book in this series so maybe it'll be more of a paolini epic like I am used to. we shall see :)

{3.5 stars}

When a space crew finds a perfect circle drilled into a planet, they decide to go on a mission to explore and discover what the hole is and who created it.

This one is definitely more of a philosophical novel than a sci-fi one. Sure they're in space and eventually on an alien planet, but the story is really about humanity and surviving grief. Alex has lost his wife and doesn't really have much drive to live. Pishkin and Talia are all about debating spirituality and what it is to be human. I enjoyed these debates but would have loved more of each's history.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.