My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads rating: 4.14 with 403 ratings (as of 9/12/2020)

It was supposed to be a routine research mission on an uncolonized planet. But when xenobiologist Kira Navárez finds an alien relic beneath the surface of the world, the outcome transforms her forever and will alter the course of human history.

Her journey to discover the truth about the alien civilization will thrust her into the wonders and nightmares of first contact, epic space battles for the fate of humankind, and the farthest reaches of the galaxy. …Synopsis from Goodreads

200 Word Review

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, I looked forward to listening to the audiobook of his latest novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

Paolini did not disappoint. His work on this space opera spanned for nearly a decade. The research completed to make it accurate as possible shows he did not rush his writing.

Do not expect to read/listen to this in one sitting. The run time is 32 hours, 29 minutes, and the book is 880 pages. The book could have been released into a trilogy but do not let that scare you. The story may be long, but it is well built and full of completely fleshed out characters and worlds. My favorite character is Gregorovich, a ship mind. Paolini’s sarcastic words and the narrator’s voice makes him a character as memorable as paranoid Marvin from H2G2.

In 2013, the narrator, Jennifer Hale, was recognized by Guinness World Records as “the most prolific video game voice actor (female).” Her voice is instantly recognizable, and the array of voices she uses in the audiobook are separate and distinct from each other.

Paolini’s story and Hale’s voices make this an enjoyable story to remember.