Lives of Bitter Rain

A Tyrant Philosophers Novella

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Bloomsbury presents Lives of Bitter Rain by Adrian Tchaikovsky, read by David Thorpe.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST SERIES 2025

City-by-city, kingdom-by-kingdom, the Palleseen have sworn to bring ‘Perfection’ and ‘Correctness’ to an imperfect world. But before these ruthless Tyrant Philosophers send in their legions, they despatch Outreach – the rain before the storm.

Outreach is that part of the Pal machine responsible for diplomacy — converting enemies into friends, achieving through words what an army of five thousand could not, urging the oppressed to overthrow the bloody-handed priests, evil necromancers and greedy despots that subjugate them.

Angilly, twelve-years-old, a child of Pal soldiers stationed in occupied Jarokir, does not know it yet, but a sequence of accidents and questionable life choices will lead her to Outreach. As she travels from Jarrokir to Bracinta, Cazarkand, Lemas, The Holy Regalate of Stouk and finally, Usmai, she’ll learn that the price of her nation’s success is paid in compromise and lost chances, and that the falling rain will always be bitter.

LIVES OF BITTER RAIN is a novella in Adrian Tchaikovsky's award-winning Tyrant Philosopher series. It is a prequel to the third novel in the sequence, DAYS OF SHATTERED FAITH.©2025 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Interesting political discussion

As always, Mr Tchaikovsky is spot on- funny satire?! The US and England are currently either going or have completely gone ULTRA conservative politically. This is a perfect book because it satirizes what people say not what they do. Highly recommend.

empire in turmoil

Adrian Tchaikovsky is a world builder par excellence, and Lives of Bitter Rain is one more excellent tale in a remarkable world.

The parallels between this fictional world and the imperial aggression of two recent great powers (hint, two word name, first word United) is clear and the elements of how diplomatic corps back channel negotiations is spot on. Any reading of history beyond the strictly superficial makes the parallels clear. But what also comes through is the struggle of a necessarily tough woman to also try to walk a fine line between expediency and decency.

The performance is dry, wry and droll. The writing is often mordantly funny and always engaging. The characters have a bit of Graham Greene, a bit of Mick Herron. There's a definite feeling of 1950's cold war with magic standing in for nukes.

I love the way science fiction and fantasy allow a commentary on history and culture while side stepping the need to tip toe through tensions. it permits digging into the personal experiences and impact more than need to support a position. oh, the world building and politics are there, Tchaikovsky is wonderful at building textured, grounded worlds! But the story is the lives of people within those worlds.

definitely recommended

Beautiful story from a compelling world

I’ve read the rest of the series and was so pleased to be able to spend more time with these characters. It is an exquisite thing to learn some additional details of their stories. Don’t miss it!

An amazing addition right after finishing Days of Shattered Faith

It rounds up Gil's character so much and makes her into even more of a tragic character

Another fun lens of the world this one via a life dedicated to diplomacy.

Love the series. Enjoyed the novella. Was great to get more of what Pal life could be like. Loved some of the lines around the chief export of the country being soldiers.

The subtext around correct appreciation catching up to the other branches of the palleseen sway was fascinating and provides a lot more context for days of shattered faith. Looking forward to rereading that one and can’t wait for the next installment of the series.

We also get a little more view and background on the grove monks which are a favorite weird part of this world that was wonderful.

David Thorpe continues his great narration of the story!