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3.5 

Alien Clay

By Adrian Tchaikovsky
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

"A staggering, alien vision of deepest solidarity." – Esquire, Best of the Year.

From Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky comes a far-future epic that confirms his place as a modern master of science fiction, in which a political prisoner must unlock the secrets of a strange and dangerous planet.


The planet of Kiln is where the tyrannical Mandate keeps its prison colony, and for inmates, the journey there is always a one-way trip. One such prisoner is Professor Arton Daghdev, xeno-ecologist and political dissident. Soon after arrival, he discovers that Kiln has a secret. Humanity is not the first intelligent life to set foot there.

In the midst of a ravenous, chaotic ecosystem are the ruins of a civilization, but who were the vanished builders and where did they go? If he can survive both the harsh rule of the camp commandant and the alien horrors of the world around him, then Arton has a chance at making a discovery that might just transform not only Kiln, but distant Earth as well.

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170 Reviews

3.5
“I love so much about this. Rated it four stars only because the characters and pacing are a little stilted. Not crazy about the first person present tense, made it hard to understand the scope of the story at times. The plot takes a while to really get going, but I enjoyed the payoff and the overall premise. Much to chew on.”
“readers who don't like fungi or body horror might want to look at trigger warning or pass.”
“It took me awhile to lock into this book, but once it started to click into place it really came alive. Tchaikovsky's imagination for creating unique alien biologies and behaviors continues to be such a fun experience to read. I loved all the descriptions of Kiln and the life forms there, and I thoroughly enjoyed how they were made to fit into the main narrative. Arton's internal voice was a bit meandering at times, but ultimately I loved seeing this world through his eyes and his role in collective resistance. Some parts are definitely on the nose, but I think it's appropriate and fitting in this book given the setting is a gulag on another planet.”

About Adrian Tchaikovsky

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.

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