Author Christopher Paolini invites you to travel back into the Fractalverse with Fractal Noise. Set twenty-three years before the events in To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, this sci-fi thriller tells the story of humanity’s first discovery of alien intelligence.
The standalone Fractalverse novel was published by Tor Publishing Group on May 16, 2023. The audiobook is narrated by Jennifer Hale—who also narrated To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.
The trade paperback edition (pictured right) features new artwork by artist François Leroy (Friendly Robot) and is on sale May 21, 2024—order the trade paperback here.
The Mission
A stellar survey team in the mid-2030s discovers an anomaly on a seemingly uninhabited planet. A pit 50 kilometer wide and most certainly not of natural origin.
How did it get there? And who, or what, built it? A small team must land and journey on foot across alien terrain to find out.
The mission is the dream of a lifetime for some, for others a risk not worth taking, and for one it’s a desperate attempt to find meaning in a harsh, uncaring universe.
Each step they take toward the mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last. And the ghosts of their past follow.
Reviews for Fractal Noise
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars opened up a whole new universe for Christopher Paolini to explore, and in Fractal Noise he takes us on a journey to the heart of its terrifying wonder, exposing entirely new and exciting dimensions to this world. I’ve always loved Christopher’s writing, but Fractal Noise really blew me away with his incredible storytelling gifts.
Will Hinton, Tor Publishing Group Executive Editor
Bestseller Paolini’s standalone prequel to 2020’s To Sleep in a Sea of Stars breathes new life into the classic first encounter narrative through a sophisticated examination of the grieving narrator’s psyche.
Publishers Weekly (Read the full review here.)
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Paolini makes the experiences of his well-shaded explorers vivid and gripping through smart worldbuilding and believable stakes.
Christopher has created a galaxy filled with incredible characters and far-flung worlds – one that will set readers’ imaginations on fire. I was swept away by this masterclass in tension and excitement, as his protagonists race to solve the ultimate mystery under near-impossible conditions.
Bella Pagan, Tor UK (Source Article)
Your Mission
As the Fractal Noise characters prepare for their mission, you’re invited to launch an exploratory mission of your own. Dive into To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and climb aboard the SLV Wallfish to meet the crew. Embark on an interactive adventure to investigate a murder aboard the space station Unity. Take a trip through time and space (no FTL required), enter the Fractalverse, and explore all that this universe has to offer. Wherever your travels take you within the ‘verse, you’re sure to find something spectacular.