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Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Cage of Souls: Shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2020 Kindle Edition

by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 6,228 ratings

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Humanity clings to life on a dying Earth in an epic, far-future science fiction novel from an award-winning author.
The sun is bloated, diseased, dying perhaps. Beneath its baneful light, Shadrapar, last of all cities, harbours fewer than 100,000 human souls. Built on the ruins of countless civilisations, Shadrapar is a museum, a midden, an asylum, a prison on a world that is ever more alien to humanity.

Bearing witness to the desperate struggle for existence between life old and new is Stefan Advani: rebel, outlaw, prisoner, survivor. This is his testament, an account of the journey that took him into the blazing desolation of the western deserts; that transported him east down the river and imprisoned him in the verdant hell of the jungle's darkest heart; that led him deep into the labyrinths and caverns of the underworld. He will meet with monsters, madman, mutants.

The question is, which one of them will inherit this Earth?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tchaikovsky livens up the tale with intrigue, duels and menagerie of horrifying creatures... The scale of the story expands well beyond the confines of [prison drama], bringing in subterranean adventures, themes about class war and political corruption, and genetic engineering... Set in a dying world where death hovers impatiently over everyone's shoulder, Cage of Souls is a frequently grim read, but it's a compelling journey'” ―SFX

“Tchaikovsky's world-building here is breathtaking... Cage of Souls is a fascinating read and strong ecological tale'” ―Starburst Magazine

“Grotesque and beautiful all at once... A brilliant examination of extremes and the way in which humanity always finds a way to navigate them. Even when others are hell bent on self-destruction'” ―SciFiNow

“Once again Tchaikovsky astounds with his boundless imagination and versatility in his craft” ―Worlds in Ink

About the Author

David Thorpe has appeared in numerous stage plays, in repertory, and on tour. Twice a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company, he has been heard in many radio plays and readings. An award-winning audiobook narrator, he has voiced several fantasy and science fiction books, including a number of the original Doctor Who books and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, and headed off to university in Reading to study psychology and zoology. For reasons unclear even to himself, he subsequently ended up in law. Adrian has since worked as a legal executive in both Reading and Leeds and now writes full time. He also lives in Leeds, with his wife and son. Adrian is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor. He has also trained in stage-fighting and keeps no exotic or dangerous pets of any kind--possibly excepting his son.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07DPRW17S
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Head of Zeus; 1st edition (April 4, 2019)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 4, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3553 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 645 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #26,756 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #58 in Genetic Engineering Science Fiction eBooks
- #73 in Galactic Empire Science Fiction
- #94 in Hard Science Fiction (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 6,228 ratings

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Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire before heading off to Reading to study psychology and zoology. For reasons unclear even to himself he subsequently ended up in law and has worked as a legal executive in both Reading and Leeds, where he now lives. Married, he is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor, has trained in stage-fighting, and keeps no exotic or dangerous pets of any kind, possibly excepting his son. Catch up with Adrian at www.shadowsoftheapt.com for further information about both himself and the insect-kinden, together with bonus material including short stories and artwork. Author Website: http://shadowsoftheapt.com/

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

6,228 global ratings

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robert

Outstanding

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024

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This book should be read slowly because of how detailed the story is, well written, and the characters are outstanding. The narration was great,this is a story I will read again in the years to come because of how good it is

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WTL

Well-written, depressing, bloody and violent dystopia

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2023

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I don't think I've ever read a 650-page book with so much violence and bloodshed on so many of those 650 pages. Tchaikovsky is a very good writer and he has clear visions of what he wants to write. And in this book, it seems he wants to kill as many people as possible, and in the worst possible ways, and if some of those ways are courtesy of monsters -- human and non-human -- all the better. His vision is also of a human race destined for extinction, with some morphing into beings that used to be human and no longer are. One city left on the planet, run by corrupt tyrants and gangs, surrounded by desert (with monsters) and jungle (also with monsters). The human monsters are the worst because they enjoy killing -- he's got psychopathic killers nailed. Overall, it's a gripping story, relentlessly gory, and ultimately pessimistic. I surprised myself by sticking with it, but I'm going to have to give myself time to forget I ever read it.

14 people found this helpful

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Amber Earnest

One of the best

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2023

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I’m on a quest to read every Adrian Tchaikovsky book and unfortunately I am almost done. I have enjoyed all of them. But this is in my top five (he’s prolific so that is saying a lot). I read it all in less than a day because I could not put it down. The characters and the world building are so vivid, I hung on every word. Tchaikovksy is a master in writing first person POV characters that are fully THEMSELVES and not just a narrator. And they’re all different. Stefan is obviously telling the story from the point of view of his own upbringing and experience. I desperately wanted to learn more about things he couldn’t explain because he as a character did not know. I wanted a thousand more pages, and not because it was unsatisfying, it was incredibly satisfying. It was a great story with a great concept and great characters. Just 200% recommend.
Also shoutout to my dude Sergei, love his appearances.

13 people found this helpful

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MHHC

Well Done

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2023

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Surprising. Good characters, especially the narrator. But an even better world and plot. That being said, the last 15% of the book takes an abrupt turn, which seems out of character mood with the rest of it. Jarring. That is my only quibble. And even that is not such a big deal in the end. The story is refreshingly unique and will stay with you. The writing is excellent, something I appreciate very much. Plenty of insights regarding human nature and a relentless pace that compels attention. Closest thing to the much revered Gene Wolfe I’ve run across.

4 people found this helpful

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Dr. Michael Murphy

Good world creating, average plot development

Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2023

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The depth of characterization and elaboration of the fictional world are excellent and consistently engaging. The plot lacks some complexity. I will read more by this author.

One person found this helpful

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Swimfan

Another great story by Tchaikovsky

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2024

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A great story, lots of twists and turns around each chapter. Well worth the read. Definitely one of his best

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Dave the L

An engaging read, I suppose, but nothing special

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2022

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I enjoy a book that has characters I can relate to and care about. That is accomplished here. It kept me engaged until the end.
That said, the brutality in the prison got tiresome after a while. They're mean...we get it. The idea of a decadent, dying society that can no longer fix the technological wonders they have was clever.
Maybe he could have saved some of the subplots for other books. Stefan's got mind powers he uses once and that's about it. He's contributed to a book on how to save the world that causes mobs - sometimes the book's existence is important, other times not at all. There is an evil man in the next cell, but what makes him so evil is never explained. Just needed another bad guy. Oh, and web children, and an underworld. It's just all a bit much.
Still, it is a diverting read - it is a pretty good book. Just a dark mood and a bit too much going on.

4 people found this helpful

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Josh and Amy

Can I give it 10 stars?

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024

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If you like science fiction at all, just read it, bro. It has it all. Apocalyptic society, crazy jungle creatures, a teensy sprinkle of time travel, lots of dying tech that no one knows how to repair. I can't say enough good things about this without spoiling it. He starts out (as the title indicates) in a prison, and then he explains how he got to there. So you get to experience three different parts of this insane world. This is a book I will read again and again through the years. Thank you, Adrian!

For reference, I love Octavia Butler, Ursula K. Le Guin, Philip K. Dick, and Asimov. If you love any/all of these authors you will love this book too.

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Top reviews from other countries

100amps

This is a dark story.

Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2023

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The story is dark; too much suffering for me. I put it down and walked away. But it drew me back again and again as the best stories do. Thank you, A.T., I guess.

2 people found this helpful

Robin S

Fine speculative fiction.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2024

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The author's mind is a fabulous thing, and here he gives us a fascinating dystopian world, mistery, good characters, creatures, weird technology, action, and narrative. Highly recommended.

Ravi Teja Gangineni

A good story with better writing.

Reviewed in India on June 2, 2021

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The story of Stefan Advani written in first person perspective starts off depressingly and snakes through with a hint of fantastical elements strewn through the book. The story itself is fast paced and never got really boring but it was definitely not the highlight of the book. Tchaikovsky's inimitable writing takes that honour for me as it kept the read a tad more interesting when the story slacked at places.

bane_op

End of time

Reviewed in Italy on July 11, 2020

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Excellent story, intriguing characters. The imagination of Adrian Tchaikovsky seems limitless. Definitely worth reading.

Gabi Stiene

Intriguing end of civilization scenario

Reviewed in Germany on November 27, 2019

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There was so much I loved in this narration from the end of civilisation (at least what humans define as civilisation).

The story is told in first person as journal entries and the narrator tears down the fourth wall. With this the reader is more involved into the going-ons while the tone of the entries feels a bit like the musings of a Victorian writer and therefore adds a rather pleasant whiff of Steampunk.

The timeline of the entries switches between the narrative now and events that led to the current situation, thus giving more insight in the state of human civilisation in the one leftover city when the sun burns out.

The buildup is slow, dedicated to details which, though not all important to the plot, make for a worldbuilding that is simultanously palpable and believable. Readers who like a bit more action might get bored by the slow burning of the story, yet I was all there for it. It never meanders, but it leaves things unspoken and unexplored. We have to think for ourselves at times.

Stefan Advani is a brilliant main character. He is not better than others, he is not braver than others, he is not some chosen one. As he describes it himself, he just had the luck that there were some Stefan-shaped holes when the goings got tough. A normal human being who's flawed and cowardly at times. This was such a relief to read after too many 'hero'types I had to endure in my last reads.
The 'heroes' are rather the sidecharacters that group around him. All of them described in a relatable and sympathetic manner.

One of Tchaikovsky's strengths is his take on evolution and again he shines with this in Cage of Souls. The descriptions of the fauna in this faraway future were masterfully done. I could have stayed there in the swamp a lot longer (well … as observer that is … other than that it sounds too dangerous).

And not to forget: this is a standalone! Authors who bring their ideas across without needing several 600+ pages volumes are most welcome on my reading shelves.

Cage of Souls was a through and through satisfying read for me. Now I really have to have a look at Tchaikovsky's Fantasy novels.

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Cage of Souls: Shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2020 Kindle Edition

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