Shadows upon Time

Sun Eater, Book 7

By: Christopher Ruocchio

Narrated by: Samuel Roukin

The seventh and final novel of the galaxy-spanning series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe at last lights the greatest fire humanity has ever seen

Ambitious universe-building combines with intimate character portraits for storytelling on a truly epic scale—for fans of Orson Scott Card, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Patrick Rothfuss, and Jack Campbell

The trumpet sounds.

The end has come at last. After his victory at Vorgossos, Hadrian Marlowe finds himself a fugitive, on the run not only from the Extrasolarians, but from his own people, the Sollan Empire he betrayed—and who betrayed him. Hidden safely beyond the borders of human space, Hadrian awaits the arrival of the one ally he has left: the Jaddian Prince Kaim-Olorin du Otranto.

What's more, the inhuman Cielcin have vanished, unseen for more than one hundred years. The armies of men have grown complacent, but Hadrian knows the truth: the Cielcin are gathering their strength, preparing for their final assault against the heart of all mankind.

Only Hadrian possesses the power to stem the tide: an ancient war machine, forged by the daimon machines at the dawn of time. The mighty Demiurge. With it, Hadrian must face not just the Cielcin horde, but their Prophet-King, and the dark gods it serves—the very gods who shaped the universe itself.

This must be.

©2025 Christopher Ruocchio (P)2025 Recorded Books

Peak Sci-Fi

One of the best sci-fi I have ever written. Up there with Dune, I cannot recommend enough.

Bit of a long winded end to a good series

While i enjoyed this book overall it was probably about 1/3 longer than it needed to be, especially the end, very drawn out. I liked the series overall but this book was a bit of a disappointing end

A soul crushing heartbreaking end

What can I even say? This book didn’t just punch me. It erased me. Stunning end. I’m left only with pure, aching loss. Wrecked, hollow, grateful, and devastated.

A stunning achievement

This final book was poetic and sad and glorious. Very much like Hadrian. I went between reading and listening. The narration is among the best I’ve heard. I’ll seek Samuel Roukin out specifically again.

OUTSTANDING!!

Absolutely loved this series! Strongly recommend it to anyone who loves a great galactic novel that spans time and space…