The Eighth Face - by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From a master of science fiction and one of the bestselling and most celebrated science fiction writers of his generation comes an electrifying new standalone novel of intrigue and existential reckoning.

What hides beneath the waves of an alien world?

On an island alone in the sea, a monastic community of clones live in the shadow of a wrecked spaceship. There are seven clone lineages in their Retreat, and just seven human faces in this world. They work, pray and replicate, knowing that all this was ordained - that their peaceful lives were intended by the Firstcomers who originally landed here. But the tide is about to turn.

While serving a punishment detail on the beach, rebellious clone Six-Maijo makes a harrowing discovery: a body has washed ashore with a face belonging to no known lineage. Despite the disapproval of his superiors, Maijo pursues the mystery until he learns some questions are best left un-asked. What happened to the other half of their wrecked ship? Why is the sea casting up its corpses - and why won't they stay dead?

As the community fractures under the pressure of ancient guilt, the sea gives up terrible secrets. The Retreat is under threat, but are its true enemies inside or outside its walls?

Review Quotes

"A vision of extraterrestrial life that's as fascinating as it is horrifying."--BookPage on Alien Clay

"Adrian Tchaikovsky explores worlds where no one else would dare to go, and the unimaginable becomes believable... This is hard-edged science fiction that never loses its soul."--Sue Burke, author of Semiosis on Shroud

"[A] mind-expanding planetary romp... Tchaikovsky continues to impress."--Publishers Weekly on Alien Clay

"Clever, vivid and terrifying. Shroud is probably the most alien world anyone could possibly imagine. But no one has an imagination like Adrian Tchaikovsky."--Jim Al-Khalili, presenter of BBC Radio 4's The Life Scientific on Shroud

"Crunchy, conceptual SF at its best...the best alien contact novel I've read since Peter Watts' Blindsight, and that is high praise indeed."--Richard Morgan, author of Altered Carbon on Shroud

"The most inventive alien world I've ever encountered in SF... Pure Tchaikovsky. I swear the man is some kind of genius."
--Peter Watts, author of Blindsight on Shroud

"Thrilling, terrifying and fascinating in equal measure. A gripping story of survival and human endeavor against all odds. The most thought-provoking book I've read in a long time."--Tim Peake, British ESA astronaut on Shroud

Tchaikovsky's latest (after Service Model, 2024) reveals that the clash is more than just between human and alien but between ideologies that can blind one from harsh realities.--Booklist on Alien Clay

About the Author

Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, and headed off to university in Reading to study psychology and zoology. For reasons unclear even to himself, he subsequently ended up in law. Adrian has since worked as a legal executive in both Reading and Leeds and now writes full time. He also lives in Leeds, with his wife and son. Adrian is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor. He has also trained in stage-fighting and keeps no exotic or dangerous pets of any kind--possibly excepting his son.