Shadows Upon Time - (Sun Eater) by Christopher Ruocchio (Hardcover)

About the Book

The end has come at last. After his victory at Vorgossos, Hardian finds himself a fugitive from both the Extrasolarians and his own people. He has a single remaining ally: Jaddian Prince Kaim-Olorin du Otranto. In order to save the fate of mankind, Hadrian must face enemies on all sides.

Book Synopsis

The seventh and final novel of the galaxy-spanning series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe at last lights the greatest fire humanity has ever seen

Ambitious universe-building combines with intimate character portraits for storytelling on a truly epic scale--for fans of Orson Scott Card, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Patrick Rothfuss, and Jack Campbell

The trumpet sounds.

The end has come at last. After his victory at Vorgossos, Hadrian Marlowe finds himself a fugitive, on the run not only from the Extrasolarians, but from his own people, the Sollan Empire he betrayed--and who betrayed him. Hidden safely beyond the borders of human space, Hadrian awaits the arrival of the one ally he has left: the Jaddian Prince Kaim-Olorin du Otranto.

What's more, the inhuman Cielcin have vanished, unseen for more than one hundred years. The armies of men have grown complacent, but Hadrian knows the truth: the Cielcin are gathering their strength, preparing for their final assault against the heart of all mankind.

Only Hadrian possesses the power to stem the tide: an ancient war machine, forged by the daimon machines at the dawn of time. The mighty Demiurge. With it, Hadrian must face not just the Cielcin horde, but their Prophet-King, and the dark gods it serves--the very gods who shaped the universe itself.

This must be.

Review Quotes

Praise for Shadows Upon Time

"Here we see Ruocchio pull together the disparate strings from the earlier novels, drawing them all to a well-devised close. All of the plots born of politics, religion, violence, love, loss and destiny come together in one of the best finales to a series that I can remember." --The Book Reporter

"This series is bound to become the Dune of this generation--with all of the glorious panache and controversy a grand work flings open to public discourse. The Suneater series dares to plunge to depths and heights few authors are willing to try." --Janny Wurts, author of The Curse of the Mistwraith

Praise for the Sun Eater series

"Empire of Silence is epic science fiction at its most genuinely epic. Ruocchio has made something fascinating here, and I can't wait to see what he does next." --James S. A. Corey, New York Times-bestselling author of The Expanse novels

"Christopher Ruocchio's Empire of Silence is epic-scale space opera in the tradition of Iain M. Banks and Frank Herbert's Dune, without being a clone of either of them. His is a welcome new voice in science fiction." --Eric Flint, author of the bestselling 1632 series

"Empire of Silence has the sweep and political complexity of Dune (though no sandworms). It builds to a blazing climax, followed by a satisfying conclusion. I recommend the book." --David Drake, bestselling author of the RCN Series

"Empire of Silence is a rich tapestry of future history and worldbuilding, a galactic-sized story of a hero, a tyrant, but portrayed as a man." --Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times-bestselling author of The Dark Between the Stars

"Space opera fans will savor the rich details of Ruocchio's far-future debut, which sets the scene for a complicated series.... Readers who like a slow-building story with a strong character focus will find everything they're looking for in this series opener." --Publishers Weekly

"Although stretched across a vast array of planets, the story line is often more focused on the intimate than on the expanse, giving it a wonderful emotional punch. This wow book is a must for fans of Pierce Brown and Patrick Rothfuss." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Empire of Silence packs in action and erudition in equal measure. This is a gripping first installment in a space opera that delivers both high-adrenaline thrills and hard-earned wisdom about the human spirit." --D.J. Butler, author of Witchy Eye

"A richly imagined epic, briskly and vividly told." --R.M. Meluch, author of the Tour of the Merrimack series

"A craftsman of rare ability, Christopher Ruocchio lures you into a future filled with danger, action, irony, vaulting prose, and a few, precious dollops of hope." --David Brin, author of Earth and The Postman

"With the scope of Dune and a confessional, first-person voice that puts us into the mind of a possible madman, this is space opera at its most riveting and grandiose." --B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Review

About the Author

Christopher Ruocchio is the internationally best-selling author of more than 7 books, including the Sun Eater science fantasy series and the upcoming Doomsong Saga, as well as more than 25 works of short fiction. Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Christopher received his Bachelor's Degree in English Rhetoric from North Carolina State University in 2015, with a minor in Classics. He sold his first novel--Empire of Silence--at 22, and his work has appeared in more than 14 languages. In his time at Baen Books, he edited 8 anthologies, including Sword & Planet. His work has also appeared in Marvel Comics.

Christopher lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife and children.