Empire of Silence

Sun Eater, Book 1

By: Christopher Ruocchio

Narrated by: Samuel Roukin

Hadrian Marlowe, a man revered as a hero and despised as a murderer, chronicles his tale in the galaxy-spanning debut of the Sun Eater series, merging the best of space opera and epic fantasy.

It was not his war. On the wrong planet, at the right time, for the best reasons, Hadrian Marlowe started down a path that could only end in fire.

The galaxy remembers him as a hero: the man who burned every last alien Cielcin from the sky. They remember him as a monster: the devil who destroyed a sun, casually annihilating four billion human lives - even the emperor himself - against Imperial orders.

But Hadrian was not a hero. He was not a monster. He was not even a soldier. Fleeing his father and a future as a torturer, Hadrian finds himself stranded on a strange, backwater world.

Forced to fight as a gladiator and into the intrigues of a foreign planetary court, he will find himself fighting a war he did not start, for an empire he does not love, against an enemy he will never understand.

©2018 Christopher Ruocchio (P)2018 Recorded Books

Complex, twisted, perfect for SciFi-Fantasy fans.

Nothing happened as I expected it, and it was an excellent story. The narration was done very well. A bit confusing at times due to the number of roles, but still thoroughly enjoyable. My brain usually caught up a few chapters later when meeting new characters. I think I'll just have to buy the physical book, as well.
My husband enjoyed it, as well. He was extremely mad at me for sharing the book with him last year; he finished it in 2 days and looked up the sequel, only to be dismayed he had to wait a full year for its release.

Great First Novel

Derivative, unabashedly stealing its scenery from Herbert but very well written. That said for a first novel this is a triumph and i look forward to more from this author. I recommend it strongly with a carefully constructed narrative, solid writing and a good story it will eat up the hours quickly. I think if the author can lean a little less heavily on his readings we can expect a great deal more great sci-fi from Christopher.

A bit dark for my tastes but well executed

The ending leaves me excited for the next, and while it was pretty grim throughout, it wasn't completely miserable, tone-wise.

What a story! Works as a setup or a standalone!

It only took half a chapter to get me hooked on the concept of this world. Every single chapter was incredible both in performance and writing, and had me completely in my own world during my work (which is hard to do since im a commerical roofing contractor that works in 100+ degree weather) and i couldnt have been more pleased with how the characters shine in their own ways. i hate the bad guys but i dont HATE them so much that it ruins the concept. ENTIRELY worth the credit and time spent.

Did I just find the greatest space opera ever???

My prediction is that this series will be either my top favorite sci fi/fantasy space opera or at the very least, in the top two.

The intricacy of Steven Erikson combined with the beauty of Robin Hobb's prose - I found this book to be an elegant story of one man's life story/history. I'm flabbergasted to discover this is a debut novel - it's perfection. Even though Ruocchio has our main character, Hadrian Marlowe, telling us the story and thereby spoiling it, the beauty of the story is how Hadrian grew from the young man we first meet to the elder one who became the Sun Eater, destroying of planets and billions of people in the process. It's a meticulous telling, very slow paced, but there are no wasted words. Everything is important and factors in.

I absolutely cannot wait to continue this series.

Awesome

I was lucky enough to get put on this series through a friend. If you are into getting immersed, addicted, and emotionally connected, then this is for you. Very sick of hearing the Dune references. It's not Dune. It's better, and there are no worms.
Facepiece

Got out of my reading slump!

Ruocchio is a wordsmith. Loved this slow burn. Normally prefer Sanderson utilitarian style of writing but thoroughly enjoyed the appropriate amount of flourish and zest of Ruocchio’s prose. Will definitely be continuing!

AMAZING series

I am on book 4 of this series now and I have loved this epic story in every way. The story and narration are both perfect. this author has created such an expansive and rich universe and placed an amazing tale it in. I can't begin to describe how awesome this story gets or how deeply invested I feel in the main character's outcome. This is not a book where the characters always make the right choice. Not everyone lives. The bad guys are also good guys and vice versa. I am an avid hard science fiction fan and this space epic was exactly what I was looking for to eat up a 2 hour daily commute. The narrator sounds like Benedict Cumberbatch so that has shaped my mind's visualization of the main character - but it is a good match. I hope they never change it.

want something doable even good not the norm? yes

I love the Sun eater series so far Im two books units not the expected fantasy sci Fi alien worlds history of nobles etc it's interesting makes you curious for more and totally believable reallike narrator AMAZING as always writer also my new Favorite!! enjoy

World Building Exemplar

My. Ruocchio is an incredible example of a “ world builder”. His first-person style is incredible and Mr Roukin enhances the story’s delivery. Quite simply: Wow.