Demon in White

Sun Eater, Book 3

By: Christopher Ruocchio

Narrated by: Samuel Roukin

Length: 30 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

For almost a hundred years, Hadrian Marlowe has served the empire in its war against the Cielcin, a vicious alien race bent on humanity's destruction. Rumors of a new king among the Cielcin have reached the imperial throne. This one is not like the others. It does not raid borderworld territories, preferring precise, strategic attacks on the humans' empire.

To make matters worse, a cult of personality has formed around Hadrian, spurred on by legends of his having defied death itself. Men call him Halfmortal. Hadrian's rise to prominence proves dangerous to himself and his team, as those within the imperial government distrust or resent his new influence.

Caught in the middle, Hadrian must contend with enemies before him and behind.

And above it all, there is the mystery of the Quiet. Hadrian did defy death. He did return. But the keys to the only place in the universe where Hadrian might find the answers he seeks lie in the hands of the emperor himself....

©2020 Christopher Ruocchio (P)2020 Recorded Books, Inc.

Three 5 star books in one!!

Just as the review title says.

This has 3 complete stories, what could have been 3 seperate books in the series all smushed pinto one volume. And each section is 5 stars.

Best of the series

After coming off of mid reviews of the first two books in the series, this one was a home run. The authors writing is much better and the pacing doesn’t drag anymore.
He reaps the benefits of the previous two books’ set up and it all works wonderfully.
There was a few chapters that were confusing- one felt intentionally so and one not so much, but overall great experience and I’m happy to have pushed through the first 1.5 books to experience this in full glory.

I will say that while this book came first in publishing order, there are a lot of references to a story he would later write in the first Tales of the Suneater short story series that may be helpful to read first.

Terrific story, excellent narration to match

I thought the story was exciting, good set ups, good payoffs. Narrator does the story justice once again!

Marlow keeps it rolling

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier on this journey……amazing narration and although slow at times the writing style keeps you engaged and you just have to know what happens next. Looking forward to the next book.

Great series

I have really enjoyed this series. It started with familiar settings but really grew into its own and was a wonderful journey along the way. I thought this was the conclusion of the story but I am left eager to continue.

Expansive world and story line

I have never encountered a series that truly takes you to the outer reaches of space in such a believable and diverse way. The evolution of technology and human societies that Ruocchio depicts is extremely believable yet mind blowing. Intense drama, intense mystery, great story - I'm hooked and have alarms set for when Book 4 is slated to come out.

Best book I've read in a decade

There are books and there are stories. This one is a fantastic story, the best I've read in a long time. Both narrator and author nail it. Ruoccio can be a little long winded and a bit poetic in prose, but this is one of a few times where it works - it's almost always interesting and relevant. This is written as a journal and he doesn't pretend omniscience, so there's some mystery left in a few situations. For me it makes the device more believable.

It avoids so many of the traps I see in other books; a hero never really coming into power and plagued by insecurity, side characters meant purely as plot devices, a Paramore that just tags along after she's been wooed.

In this people die, people quit, new people are introduced over so many centuries of life. Worlds are full of depth with their own societies, species and cultures are distinct. Marlowe doesn't get stuck on daddy issues forever - he's a fully capable man at this point, struggling with complex problems. And he's fully aware of his melodrama and his reputation which brings out his humor.

What's more it's a great balance of political intrigue and realistic difficulties of space travel and relative age. Not only how a feudalistic society would realistically function but also why it would be necessary when so much else has advanced. Brings back the same feeling of discovering Dune.

TLDR Get it, it's worth your time and the series is only getting better unless he really tanks the last book. Plus it's 30+ hours of solid story for one credit.

I’m in awe!

The characters the writer put together the story. It’s amazing. Don’t skip this. Epic don’t skip this. Epic and the narrator., what can I say? He’s awesome.

I’m in love

Hey Marlow, I wish I would’ve paid more attention to you in the first book. I’m gonna have to listen to it again because you are my hearts desire. 

Just Awesome

I thought there was no way this book would end up being better than The Howling Dark but somehow it’s done it. This was so good and world just keeps expanding, ready for book four!