I was not sure of what to expect from one of my favorite authors. I used to travel extensively and often brought back new books or new authors that looked good for my wife or our daughters. I would read as I travelled then pass the book on for the others to fight over. We were a book reading family. Grounding was not an effective punishment as both daughters had TVs in their rooms that they seldom watched, but both loved to read. They liked to be grounded.
I picked up the first Harry Potter book in a UK bookstore as they were setting up a display to attract sales. I had spotted a couple copies being carried by YA and some adults. So after learning about the book, I bought one and read it before I got home. Then the fight began. Since it was not available in the US yet, they had to wait their turn. By the time the series was read by all, each had their own set of hardback books for the series and I had a complete set of audiobooks to play while driving. No complaints about long trips. But because of the long delays between next book availability, I searched for other YA writers. Christopher Paolini was one the I found that helped fill in the time gaps on Harry Potter books.
We ended up with each having a set of hardbacks, plus a set of paperbacks for travel, and I had a set of audiobooks for travel. These are the only authors that accomplished this high standard. Plus many Christmas gifts to other family members that helped build almost book club discussions.
Of course we added recordings of all the movies that are now spread to three different households. We could probably share more, but the cost was small compared to what we got from these stories as a family. The love of reading that our daughters gained and passed on to grandkids was well worth many times the cost. I no longer travel, but still read a lot. And so far I have said little about this book.
"To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" is exactly what I was expecting from Christopher. He has matured even more since his earlier Inheritance series writing, but it still has the woven sense of knowledge and reality combined with the wonder of it all with this move from YA to mature adult themes, and from fantasy to science fiction. The story is different from most science fiction, but is still grounded in the reality of the Cosmos and the laws of science.
It moves quickly most of the time, but slows a bit when needed to allow more description to keep the flow but explain the science of the scene or link the multiple events in an understandable way. A lot happens in each chapter, but the subchapters are short enough to feel accomplishment even with a short time to read.
For younger readers or those who prefer understanding the meanings and background of the many unfamiliar words, I recommend reading the Appendix III in the back that provides some description or definition to help your reading. You may need to refer to it frequently if you are not an astrophysicist. You may be well on your way to changing your college major by the time you finish this book. It does not have spoilers, but will help with the understanding of the story.
This is a single book for this story, but it also sets up the possibility of a series. If the author gets enough demand, he may add more adventures for Kira and the crew.
Now for my spoiler: There are many subtle hints to other authors, books, and the Inheritance series hidden in names, places, and concepts that may surprise you if you are paying attention. If you miss them, it is not important to the story, but it does add another level of joy and understanding if you catch them as you read. But this is a dense story that you will want to read several times to wring the juicy stuff out of the shadows to feel the full affects of the storyline.
This may be a great book to read in bed before sleeping if you can because it will inspire dreams but not put you to sleep. Just imagine all the stars that surround you as you magical dream world floats amid the stars....
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Reviews with images
O Queen of Thorns whose dreams awaken sins of past...
Product info: book arrived in excellent condition – no bent corners or wrinkled dust jacket, etc. The hardcover version is absolutely beautiful. The blue is electric... almost jumps out at you. This novel is almost 900 pages, so the pages are thin—they remind me of the bible for reference.----I did read an ARC for this, and I loved the story and characters so much I purchased the hardcover version. I can't wait to see what Paolini does with his new Fractalverse!Book review:In short, this book was epic. Events in the beginning immediately drew me in, and from there, the stakes rose higher and higher right up until the very end... And that ending... it left me with a deep ache in my chest. Somehow, it wasn't the ending I wanted for Kira, yet it was perfectly suited to the book's name.To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, indeed.I devoured this book in 2–3 days. The feeling of isolation and loneliness was all too real, the battle scenes were generous and enormously visual. All-consuming, actually. And surprisingly, there was even enough love interest to keep my hopelessly romantic heart sated.I loved the entire crew of the Wallfish. Kira, Falconi, Trig, Sparrow... the damned cat and pig, even. But perhaps my favorite was the delightfully borderline insane ship mind Gregorovich in all his darkly snarky wit. Every one of his scenes was a delicious treat.This book reminded me of why I love sci-fi. As a fan of other sci-fi series like Ender's Game and The Expanse, I only wished there was more... more and more and more, as the Seed would say. Can’t wait for the sequel.To Sleep is worthy of multiple readthroughs. Thank you, Chris P.–7/7
Top reviews from other countries
Joss and Key
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Images in this review
Daniel Laloyaux
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