Cage of Souls

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Humanity clings to life on a dying Earth in an epic, far-future science fiction novel from an award-winning author.

The sun is bloated, diseased, dying perhaps. Beneath its baneful light, Shadrapar, last of all cities, harbours fewer than 100,000 human souls. Built on the ruins of countless civilisations, Shadrapar is a museum, a midden, an asylum, a prison on a world that is ever more alien to humanity.

Bearing witness to the desperate struggle for existence between life old and new is Stefan Advani: rebel, outlaw, prisoner, survivor. This is his testament, an account of the journey that took him into the blazing desolation of the western deserts; that transported him east down the river and imprisoned him in the verdant hell of the jungle's darkest heart; that led him deep into the labyrinths and caverns of the underworld. He will meet with monsters, madman, mutants.

The question is, which one of them will inherit this Earth?

©2019 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2019 Head of Zeus

Softer on the sci-fi with brilliant comedy

This one hits an interesting spot in Tchaikovsky's vast range; the science is a little softer than some, but I found myself engrossed in the characters. The oft self-deprecating and marginally reliable narrator is someone I can relate with on many levels. There are bits of comedy that hit me from an angle I didn't expect and had me blasting coffee through my nose. Add to that a touch of horror as well. What a fantastic book. The narrator is unbelievably good as well. Highest marks.

new favorite

Gorgeously fluid plot with unreliable narrator somehow pulls together hints of Papillon; Darwin meets Pocahontas; Frankenstein's crab; time-travelling Soviet spy; I, Robot... that's not even 10% of it. Fascinating details without exposition overload. Beautifully human and painfully relatable characters. Subtext that stays sub. I will be shocked if this isn't a streamable TV series within the decade.

different but good

lively told story of the fall of mankind. interesting and intriguing. made it hard to stop listening to and get rest.

Expansive story

Interesting characters, almost too full of adventure, surprisingly detailed creation of a imaginative world. Would make a good TV series.

Amazing story, perfect narration

An extremely well written story with engaging characters. Hands-down the best narration performance I have ever heard.