Slow Gods
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4.2 • 92 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
★ Best of the Year at Gizmodo, Library Journal, and more!
"An astonishing, thought-provoking and above all touching story of found meaning and lost humanity.” —Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of Children of Time
Slow Gods is the galaxy-spanning tale of one man's impossible life charted against the fate of humanity amongst the stars—a powerfully imaginative space opera from multi-award-winning author Claire North, perfect for fans of A Memory Called Empire and The Vanished Birds.
My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze, and I am a very poor copy of myself.
In telling my story, there are certain things I should perhaps lie about. I should make myself a hero. Pretend I was not used by strangers and gods, did not leave people behind.
Here is one truth: out there in deep space, in the pilot's chair, I died. And then, I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me.
This is the story of the supernova event that burned planets and felled civilizations. This is also the story of the many lives I've lived since I died for the first time.
Are you listening?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This epic and enthralling galactic adventure from Campbell Award winner North (The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August) introduces an endearing monster as its hero. Mawukana "Maw" na-Vdnaze's "otherness" revives him each time he dies. He uses this longevity to pilot sentient ships, work that would cause many humans to go mad. Maw spends decades navigating dangerous star systems while intergalactic factions including the sinister Shine, the hive-minded Consensus, the enigmatic Accord, and the mysterious Slow jockey for universal domination. Now a binary star is about to go supernova and destroy the planet Adjumir, home of Maw's lost love, Gebre. Unwilling to abandon his dying planet, Gebre sends Maw away, but not before entrusting him with an artifact that may save the universe. North's worldbuilding is dizzying and dazzling, full of fascinating and convincing characters (human, AI, and other), and thought-provoking meditations on destiny, duty, and power. Add in a doomed romance and stirring action, and this immersive, inventive space opera proves a sheer delight.
Customer Reviews
Incredibly imagative
What a great book. I love science fiction but feel like I’ve read all the typical futuristic storylines. This book is different. Yes there are different worlds and different types of craft and beings are encountered but I loved the detail given for all the different encounters. Is it possible to have a space craft made of biological matter? Hmm. Maybe, and this book goes into detail on not only that but maybe how its driven and functions in space. Thats just one small example of the imaginative writing throughout the book. Is the pilot a human or just a brain thats put on different bodies? Stuff like that. You really have to stop and imagine while reading the book the different locales and beings that are encountered throughout. A very fun and exciting read. Highly recommend.
A good read deserves more attention
I liked - slow pace to conclusion. Weaving of insights throughout. Cautions against hubris.
Disliked - too slow at times. Confusion about creation of characters that seems out of context.
Whatever the case, North creates and sustains a world greater than only one place in it. Well worth your time and assets.
Stunning
Claire North is one very gifted writer. This book is way more than science fiction. It is a testament to the human condition and what it means to live and love. Read it…you will not be disappointed.