Series: The Final Architecture #2
Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrator: Sophie Aldred
Playtime: 20 hrs 44m
Publisher: Pan Macmill
Genre: Space Opera, Science Fiction
First published May 3, 2022
Book Description (from GoodReads): After eighty years of fragile peace, the Architects are back, wreaking havoc as they consume entire planets. In the past, Originator artefacts – vestiges of a long-vanished civilization – could save a world from annihilation. This time, the Architects have discovered a way to circumvent these protective relics. Suddenly, no planet is safe.
Facing impending extinction, the Human Colonies are in turmoil. While some believe a unified front is the only way to stop the Architects, others insist humanity should fight alone. And there are those who would seek to benefit from the fractured politics of war – even as the Architects loom ever closer.
Idris, who has spent decades running from the horrors of his past, finds himself thrust back onto the battlefront. As an Intermediary, he could be one of the few to turn the tide of war. With a handful of allies, he searches for a weapon that could push back the Architects and save the galaxy. But to do so, he must return to the nightmarish unspace, where his mind was broken and remade.
What Idris discovers there will change everything.
Review:
I recently finished reading Eyes of the Void and I have to say, it's a fantastic sequel to Shards of Earth. Tchaikovsky's abilities in the science fiction genre truly shine through in this book. It's a space opera, just like its predecessor, and it contains all of the classic genre staples that make it a must-read for sci-fi fans. Despite this, the story manages to remain clever, fresh, and gripping, without feeling like a silly rehash of old ideas.
The cast of characters - a motley crew of space misfits - is really enjoyable, and the interstellar travel, wars, politics, space gangsters, alien cultists, and AI all combine to create a truly delicious science fiction experience. Once you start is hard to put this book down.
It's disheartening to see that even with the looming threat of the Architects, humanity continues to be divided by petty disputes and wars. The end of the universe seems to be a distant concern that many fail to grasp. As for our crew aboard The Vulture God, they've managed to find a temporary sanctuary with the Parthenon, albeit at the cost of being labeled traitors. However, their respite is short-lived as they're soon caught in the middle of a power struggle over Idris Telemmier, an Intermediary who possesses unique abilities to pilot through Unspace and communicate with the Architects. It's unfortunate that even in the face of danger, humanity can't seem to unite for a common cause.
While it's a middle book that doesn't provide too many answers, it does set up the events to come in a satisfying way. The storyline is wrapped up nicely, and the world-building and characters are as interesting as ever. Even though it left me wanting more, I'm very satisfied with the journey it took me on. It's unfortunate that the characters are still facing petty disputes and wars despite the looming threat of the Architects, but it's a testament to the author's skill that she can keep the story engaging and suspenseful even as the stakes continue to rise.
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Around the world- United Kingdom
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