Christopher Ruocchio Books In Order

Publication Order of The Sun Eater Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Christopher Ruocchio is an American award-winning fantasy and space opera author best known for his Sun Eater book series. He’s also an assistant editor at Baen Books. The first and the second novels in the Sun Eater series won Manly Wade Wellman Award and were nominated for the 2020 Dragon Award, respectively. Christopher has co-edited four anthologies and wrote Thor’s story for Avengers #750. He was born and raised in North Carolina. From a staunch roman catholic, Christopher attended Catholic schools till high school and later graduated with a degree in English rhetoric from North Carolina State University. Christopher’s debut novel, Empire of Silence, was published in 2018 by DAW Books, and later self-published a novella, The Lesser Devil, in February 2020. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his family.
Empire of Silence is the first book in Christopher Ruocchio’s Sun Eater series, first published in 2018. If you’re an epic fantasy lover who wants to see extreme storytelling, intriguing world-building, and likeable characters in science fiction, then, Empire of Silence is the perfect novel for you. In his ambitious debut novel, Christopher introduces us to Hadrian Marlowe, a hero or a monster- based on your perspective. Before he became famous as the man who vanquished an alien species by burning the sun and extinguishing billions of lives, he was the disappointed firstborn son of an aristocratic archon and the heir to the family’s uranium empire. Because much of his history has been misconstrued or disguised, Hadrian’s description of his life demonstrates much more to the tale than is apparent.

Hadrian’s only desire as a kid was to one day succeed his father as the family business owner, despite his lack of excitement for the idea. Yet, sibling rivalry would drive him to do whatever it takes to prevent his harsh and vicious younger brother Crispin from becoming the heir. Nevertheless, their father, Alistair, had some other motives. Seeing that his academic oldest son lacked leadership characteristics, the archon sends Hadrian to the Chantry so that his family would have influence in the most influential religious organization in the galaxy.

Luckily, with some help and support, Hadrian escapes the grim destiny Alistair had planned for him. Still, he ends himself broke and exiled to a far primitive planet, going from being a pampered son of nobility to begging on the streets. Determined to find a route off-world, he trades his skills as a gladiator, finally gaining sufficient fame to be recruited by a noble family to teach them languages. His assignments brought him into contact with a convict from the Cielcins, an extraterrestrial civilization at war with humanity. Hadrian and a xenobiologist embark on a trip to comprehend the ‘enemy’ to mediate peace between the two species.

In the style of prominent epic fantasy books like Blood Song and The Name of the Wind, Christopher Ruocchio’s book is told in an autobiography-style narrative through the perspective of a misunderstood and controversial man looking back at his long-storied life. It’s a blend of different genres as readers are treated to a novel full of fantasy and science fiction elements. Hadrian finds himself caught up in the midst of drama and intrigue, something reminiscent of Game of Thrones, full of castles and gladiators.

In addition, for such a novel to succeed, the plot must swiftly form an emotional bond between the readers and the main character. This was, for the most part, a success; the opening passages generate a lot of empathy for Hadrian. As a result of his adolescent naiveté and depression, he may be uncomfortable and occasionally annoying. In other words, many of us can connect to his perplexity and lack of direction. The first section of this story feels like a typical coming-of-age story about a young guy struggling to figure out his identity as a human being. Inevitably, he has a series of unfortunate events that open his eyes to what’s true about his family, prompting him to forsake his privileged existence and everything he’s ever known. At this point, things become interesting. Hadrian is swiftly hustled through a series of misfortunes. Overall, Empire of Silence is a solid debut novel with interesting character development and intriguing storytelling. This book is highly recommended if you enjoy reading an epic fantasy novels with sci-fi elements.

The second instalment in the Sun Eater series, Howling Dark, is an intriguing epic fantasy book set in space that will require considerable reading time but is worth your effort. It envisions a future in which humanity has expanded throughout the galaxy but is mostly confined to a feudal imperial power with titles and an emperor ruler whose lineage dates back millennia to Earth. Yet the universe is vast and teems with life. Humanity has now encountered an adversary that deserves respect, one that easily devours planets and has no comprehension of the agreements for peace, conversation, or diplomacy. This aggressive race towers above simple people. Hadrian and a group of mercenaries are looking for a means to locate a planet so hidden that no one knows its location and maybe an envoy unlike any other who can negotiate with the Cielcin alien civilization—someone who can facilitate an introduction that might perhaps result in a peace pact.

However, this hidden world is unlike any other, perhaps mirroring all of Dante’s circles of Hell, and is controlled by an immortal man who, according to rumours, has existed for over 15,000 years and has deadly secrets. It is a remarkable tale that emerges slowly. Beginning with the first book in the series is optional, but it could be useful. This novel contains a galaxy similar to that of Dune, with many aliens and various planets so distant from Earth. There is an abundance of sword fighting and incredible fights. There is a never-ending conflict between humanity and artificial intelligence, issues surviving for more than 15,000 years, and what it means for humanity when clones that appear so human may be made. How far can a human be altered and replaced without becoming a machine? A mysterious element additionally enhances the plot. Ready to be surprised by the course of events.