This review may contain light spoilers, depending on what you consider a spoiler.

Ahhhh, Sun Eater. Never in my life have I encountered a series as mind-bending, emotionally harrowing, and intellectually expansive—and I doubt I ever will again. Ruocchio’s Shadows Upon Time more than earns the powerful phrase he uses to describe it: “the trumpets sound.”

To put it simply, this book is a masterpiece.

Ruocchio takes readers on a journey that is both vast in scale and deeply personal. The emotional range is staggering—from crushing despair to moments of sheer, euphoric transcendence. Every triumph and tragedy in Hadrian’s odyssey resonates on a level that few authors ever reach. The twists in this novel are utterly unpredictable, and some are so audacious and profound that they left me stunned.

Hadrian’s pilgrimage to Gododdin is a highlight in itself—lyrical, moving, and executed with a grace that elevates the prose to the level of art. But it’s what comes after that truly left its mark on me. The final movements of this book struck with such emotional force that I find myself unable to stop thinking about them, even now.

There is one scene in particular—one phrase—that lingers in my mind, haunting and unforgettable. I won’t spoil it here, but it stands among the most powerful moments I've read in any story, and it echoes the emotional weight of the greatest epics our world has ever produced.

You ever finish a book and stare at the wall?
Finish a series that you already want to reread?
Hi, yeah, it’s this.

No spoilers for entire series:

We get to see Hadrian come-of-age, go through a quarter life crisis, middle life, rebirth and everything in between.

The series tackles existential questions in a way that doesn’t feel pushy or ultimate. Life, death, prejudice, religion, expectations….
I felt like I not only got a person speaking to me out of these books, I learn things about myself.

<b>“It isn’t right that he should leave us to them like this. If the Quiet really is so powerful, he should destroy them himself. Why these games?”
I had no straight answer. Only the insight I had gleaned beside the cradle of a god in that time still yet to be. I looked at her—my daughter—in whom dwelt all my hope and heart. “Because they’re his children, too,” I said, and looked at Ramanthanu. “The Cielcin . . . and the Watchers. I think—I have to think—that it’s better this way. Better that we fight . . . because if he ended it. Ended it now, they would be lost . . . and us along with them. But if the battle continues, if even one of them changes side. Is that not a victory? Isn’t ending everything now the ultimate defeat? Would you kill yourself from despair?”
</b>
What stands out to me is Ruocchio’s masterful writing. Hadrian’s internal voice is so poignant and reflective. It is deeply unique and philosophising.

Ruocchio switches deftly from first pov with Hadrian as focus to incorporate other people’s recall in this book. Interweaving different character voices each demonstrating a separate writing style ranging from human to alien to machine.
I don’t know many authors who can do this. You will immediately be in their head, feel their presence, know their sentiments, emotions, culture.

So, without spoilers, this finale is epic. You will see returning characters. There are full-circle moments that will have you weeping in joy and grief. The chapter titles are spectacular with tie-ins to previous book titles.

We get a very satisfying ending. More answers about the Chantry, more clues to about the far-past and the Empire’s role and control.

<b>How could I argue my innocence, when my guilt had been decided so long ago? When my guilt was the variable the algebra of empire had been constructed to resolve?
</b>
At 71%, I had a WTH moment which didn’t stop until I read the words THE END. I was freaking out the entire time.

P.S. I have never wanted to punch a character a much as Prince Alexander.
Yes, this is one of the weakest covers of the series.

P.P.S. Just a bit from the author’s note:
<i>The world of The Sun Eater will return. I don’t know when, I don’t know how. But this is not the last we’ve seen of this far future. But for the moment, some new adventure begins.</i>

Arc gifted by Head of Zeus.