Alien Clay Audiobook By Adrian Tchaikovsky cover art

Alien Clay

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Alien Clay

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: Ben Allen
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About this listen

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.

This audiobook edition includes an exclusive interview between Ben Allen and Adrian Tchaikovsky.

©2024 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2024 Orbit
Adventure First Contact Hard Science Fiction Space Opera Science Fiction

Critic reviews

“Enthralling, epic, immersive, and hugely intelligent.”—Stephen Baxter

“Adrian Tchaikovsky: king of the spiders, master worldbuilder, and asker of intriguing questions. His books are packed with thought-provoking ideas (as well as lots of spiders; did I mention the spiders?). One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction.”—Christopher Paolini

“Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shards of Earth is one of the most stunning space operas I’ve read this year....Tchaikovsky’s world building is on glorious display as he throws all manner of spaceships, creepy aliens and strange technology into a delicious sci-fi soup. It’s dense, it’s funny, it’s exciting, it’s touching and it’s perfect for someone looking for a space opera built on a grand scale.”—BookPage (starred review)

What listeners say about Alien Clay

Highly rated for:

Unique Alien World Compelling Story Concept Excellent Narration Imaginative Evolutionary Ideas Great Voice Acting
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Super good!

Loved it, usually I listen exclusively while wood working or at the gym but this one was so exciting and fresh I had to finish in days. My house is soooo clean now because I couldn’t stop listening and was searching for remedial tasks so I could focus on it. I love a good uprising story!

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This might be my favorite book of the year.

Tchaikovsky is fast proving himself to be the Heir to the dynasty of the science fictions grand masters.

I was a different person when I started this story... I'm still me, but I'm more now.

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Mind broadening.

Narration was excellent. This story was different than the the sci-fi stories that I’ve read. An interesting twist that helps to broadens one’s mind .

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Relevant and Gripping

a relatively quick read, this wonderful dive into a deeply dissimilar biosphere is engaging yet brilliantly relevant in the current political climate.

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A. T. is unstoppable!

yet another novel where he creates a novel world and explore big themes. This book, and service model cements his ability to destroy common tropes and remove any expectation of where the story is going shortly after the first few chapters. the story's end is extremely satisfying as well!

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Loved it

As a huge fan of Children of Time, this new story from Adrian was exactly what I’ve been looking for. I don’t know of anyone who can convey the feeling of alien better. The narration was perfect as well.

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a short but welcome ride

I enjoyed this story a lot, but I didn't feel the urgency until the final act. I also think some of the "humor" didn't work very well in this context. not that there was an overabundance of jokes but some of the play on words felt too current and took me out of the story. I think that type of wordplay was executed better in his book "cage of souls" which actually had similar geography and politics and also centered around a secluded and distant labor camp. with that said, I don't regret purchasing this and the last act did have me very entranced into the narrative and got me thinking. if you're unsure about purchasing, I'd say if you have spare credits definitely do it, but maybe wait if you only have one credit. keep them coming Tchaikovsky!

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beautifully written, amazing voice acting

I still love the deep delving into the science and objects of AT's prior works. seems like there was less of that here, rather focusing on the interpersonal relationships and inner monologue of the protagonist. still refreshing and enthralling .

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This author is incredible

Every book I read of his is better than the last. Wonderfully written and read. A true gem for those into sci-fi.

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Mold the mold

Very good/intreating story and Wonderful narration “start with a waking end with an awakening” loved it!

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