After a slightly uncertain start, I enjoyed this partial ARC. The writing is definitely at its strongest when things start to get action-packed and visceral, with elements of body horror which were unexpected and welcome. The first vivid description of violence did make for a somewhat abrupt tonal shift, but it felt like the writing levelled out and settled into a groove as these instances increased, with the tone and atmosphere more firmly established.

Some of the characters, particularly the other members of Kira’s team, aren’t particularly memorable, and the way that they behave towards her after she causes problems seems somewhat at odds with what we’ve heard up to them about the team becoming like family. Fizel in particular I took some issue with, as his generally disagreeable and anti-social nature (not to mention his oddly callous disregard for human life) seemed a bad fit in his role as the doctor. The UMC personnel were much more memorable, if slightly clichéd at times - the driven, pitiless scientist, the all business, cold-hearted major, etc.

What might be excessive references to other media did get a little jarring after a while, with Crichton and Heinlein used as character names, not to mention Bishop as a ship’s AI in (I presume) a nod to the beloved Aliens character played by Lance Henriksen (Henriksen also being used as a character name). One or two would be fine, but this many, this close together, comes across as an unnecessary attempt to prove some sort of sci-fi credentials, at least to me.

I would have liked to know a little more about the universe To Sleep in a Sea of Stars takes place in prior to Kira making her discovery, as it makes it difficult to gauge just how advanced her abilities are without knowing what humanity is technologically capable of already. There are a number of references to the organisations and power structures that are in place throughout settled space, which I would have liked to have heard more about sooner.

Despite the confusing nature of them, I thought the prose in the dream sequences in particular was very good, almost verging on lyrical at times. The glimpses these sequences gave into mysterious events, coupled with the entertaining action scenes, would keep me interested enough to continue reading, with the caveat that I would hope for significantly more world building along the way. Kira still seems like something of a blank slate at this point too, but that would also encourage me to read on, in the hope that I would find out more about her.

Great to see Paolini back at it again with some fantastic writing. I grew up on the Eragon and Inheritance series and always hoped he would write more. Though very different to his dragonic series, this is still addictive to read nonetheless. Fans of sci-fi, or Paolini himself, will definitely want to read this when it releases in September!

Review of Part 1

The story follows Kira, a xenobiologist working in outer space along with several colleagues who have became like family. Its the end of their mission and they are flying back to prepare for their next assignment but Kira is sent to check a crashed beacon. She accidently stumbles upon an ancient alien relic, an amazing discovery which she hopes will benefit her career. However, things start to change and its not for the better

I don't want to say anymore as I don't want to spoil anything, yes its a typical sci-fi plot but this has been a fantastic read and I cannot wait to find out how this story pans out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this partial ARC.

To Sleep in A Sea of Stars (Part 1) is a fast and well-plotted take on First Contact.

It's a quick read, that keeps the reader hooked from about 50% through until the end, which can easily be read in one sitting.

I look forward to Part II to see what happens to KIra.

Thank you for my review copy.

Growing up Christopher Paolini was one of my favourite authors, I adored Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle, and I recently read and loved The Fork, the Witch & the Worm by the same author. When I heard he was coming out with something new I was so excited to get the chance to read the first part of the story.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is an epic space opera about a young woman who finds an alien relic that chances her life forever. The story is full of Paolini's beautiful writing and I am already dying to get my hands on the second part of the book. I really enjoyed part one of the story, featuring fascinating characters and plenty of action. I'll be counting down the days until the release of the full book in September!

Loving this & now am desperate for the rest of the book. The plot is definitely intriguing and I love all the characters, quirky in their own ways.

Note: I was lucky enough to have early access to Part 1 of this book, so this is a review of just Part 1 of the story and NOT the entire book.

During a survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira Navárez finds an alien relic that transforms her life and will alter the course of human history.

I was super excited to get to read some of Christopher Paolini's new book. I absolutely adored The Inheritance Cycle and couldn't wait to get stuck in. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is a totally new story, in a totally new location: Space. I really enjoyed the writing style. It's fully immersive and very easy to read. Unfortunately, the story just didn't grab me. I can't put my finger in what the problem was. Maybe it was that I didn't care much for Kira, the main character, or maybe it was that I'm generally not massively into space-fantasy. Or perhaps it was just the fact that it wasn't Eragon. I'm not sure, but what I do know is that I didn't find the story gripping enough and, knowing how long the full book is going to be, I don't have enough interest in it to read the whole thing.

I need the next part now, now, now! This is classic sci-fi at its absolute finest, and I'm just desperate to keep reading!

THANK YOU for Part One. I knew when it was Paolini that we would be in for a ride but wow I was not expecting something this incredibly gripping.

It kept me up reading until the early hours of the morning and I now just want the book in my hands to finish it. The world is so vivid and carefully created, the images are going to stick around for quite a while. Plus the attachment you get to the xeno is incredible and I didn't think it was possible. I just want to know how Kira's story progresses and what exactly is happening to her!

Paolini has written a gripping, thrilling book that I cannot wait to finish!

This was a long excerpt I read, not the full book but it was more than enough to get a feel for the context, story and characters. This was gripping, thrilling and had me on edge. There are complexities to the story but nothing I couldn't follow. This is my first Paolini and I really liked his writing, it was a great first impression. That ending of the sample definitely has me reaching for more and I do want to read the finished piece.

I loved the first part of this book! It has me completely hooked and I cannot wait to read the rest to know what will happen next! Already so many plot twists that left me reeling and I am already so invested in this book! I can't wait for the release!

This review contains some minor spoilers.
Thank you to Stephen, Pan-Macmillian, Tor, and Jamie-Lee Nardone for this!

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars Part 1 needs to be put in a televison show. It is like the Expanse season 3-4-5 and Star Trek Discovery Season 1 put together. What an amazing concept. It does contain some sterotypes of characters, but it works and I'll tell you why. This whole concept of a woman discovering an alien space station in the outer edges of space, and then having the alien called the Soft Blade inherit her and kill the remaining members of her station, including Alan...is well amazing!

Why is this not a Netflix show? Amazon? This is the stuff that most hardcore sci-fi fans would want to see. It's a realistic avenue of what actual human contact with aliens would be. It had so many Expanse moments that I was shocked by the number of references or themes that I got out of it when I read it. The UMC are the worst corporation ever, including the politicans that sent Kira and her team to Adrasteia, an earth-sized moon that contains a lot more secrets. Carr is the worst doctor in existance.

I almost felt rage at the UMC and it's nebulous ways of wanting to get rid of Kira's team. Kira and Alan are such a great couple...you'll see what I mean. The world-building is enormous, and the grasper aliens are some of the best original creations of all time. I did feel that the Soft-Blade Alien and the Grasper conflict was shown relatively well. I also loved that Kira had an idea of the langauge, but not enough to fully understand their conflict. This needs to be a TV show with John Williams as the composer. This already has the ambitious make up of an excellent sci-fi tv show that already needs to be made.

There's so much more...that will leave you wanting to discover what happens in part 2. I do like this concept of partial galleys though my preference is towards full galleys. It really got moving fast when I read on.

From me? 10/10. You'll enjoy this a lot.

Amazing world-building, breath-taking descriptions of high-flung galaxies and tentacles....fast and witty dialogue.

Review of Part 1 alone -

The first part of this book was perfect to draw you in and leave you wanting more!

You’re introduced to the main character, and read as she goes through some traumatic events and part one is left at a point where you’re really wandering what’s coming next for her and how she moves forward with what’s happened to her.

The world-building, even for the small part I was able to read, is brilliant. The world was built in such a way where nothing was dumped on you too quickly and I’m intrigued to learn more of it.

First contact, potential immanent alien attack, humongous space battle, found alien artefacts - To Sleep In A Sea of Stars (part 1) has it all in spades. If you want cinematic Sci-Fi this should be right up your street.

Really enjoyed this. Never read Paolini before so didn't know what to expect but it all turned out fine. Science Fiction but without being too heavy on the science thankfully.

As this is only 'part 1' of the book it ends on a cliffhanger of sorts but does just what it should - leaves you wanting more. The complete book cannot come soon enough for me.