Fractal Noise

Fractalverse, #0.5

by Christopher Paolini, S23 Tor Author to Be Revealed

Hardcover, 286 pages

English language

Published May 11, 2023 by Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom.

ISBN:: 978-1-250-86248-8
Goodreads:: 62711641

View on OpenLibrary

(11 reviews)

July 25th, 2234: The crew of the Adamura discovers the Anomaly.

On the seemingly uninhabited planet Talos VII:a circular pit, 50 kilometers wide.

Its curve not of nature, but design.

Now, a small team must land and journey on foot across the surface to learn who built the hole and why.

But they all carry the burdens of lives carved out on disparate colonies in the cruel cold of space.

For some the mission is the dream of the lifetime, for others a risk not worth taking, and for one it is a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe.

Each step they take toward the mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last.

And the ghosts of their past follow.

2 editions

Julie R reviewed Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini (Fractalverse, #0.5)

quick read

4 stars

I found this fast-paced and hard to put down. The plot A of overcoming grief combined with the plot B of a mystery hole on a planet worked well together, both literally and metaphorically. (if a little obvious) I didn't find the end quite satisfied, because while the plot A is resolved, the plot B left a lot of questions unanswered. As such, it felt less like a novel and more like a long short story in structure. The character dynamics were the most page-turning part of the book, imo. I also liked the small details and tech strewn throughout that gave everything veracity and depth.

Amber Herbert reviewed Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini (Fractalverse, #0.5)

Review of 'Fractal Noise' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I appreciated the world building and horror elements of this book. While it takes place in the same series as TSIASOS, it works as a standalone first contact novel.

Paolini does a phenomenal job setting the scene. I could visualize every step of the crew's journey, and the thuds really added a level of intensity the story would have otherwise lacked. Alex's narrative is simultaneously heart-wrenching and hopeful, and I believe many readers will relate to his grief and lack of self-preservation.

While the setting and main character were fully formed and intriguing, the pacing was tortuously slow. Many scenes dragged, and I believe the plot would have benefited from a shorter length. The ending also left much to be desired. I saw it coming, but it still disappointed.

Despite my gripes, Paolini's prose is evocative and I'm interested in reading his other work. I just wish this one had …