Listen free for 30 days
-
Empire of Silence
- The universe-spanning science fiction epic
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Series: Sun Eater, Book 1
- Length: 25 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £19.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Lesser Devil
- By: Christopher Ruocchio
- Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Crispin Marlowe grew up in his brother’s shadow, but Hadrian is gone, and his grandmother - the Duchess of Delos - is dying. Answering her summons, Crispin takes off on what should be a routine flight to the ducal palace from the castle at Devil’s Rest. But he is flying into a trap. There are whispers of treachery among the duchess’s many daughters, rumors of hidden knives in the planet’s court...if he can even make it there.
-
Gunmetal Gods
- Gunmetal Gods, Book 1
- By: Zamil Akhtar
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fifty thousand gun-toting paladins march behind him, all baptized in angel blood, thirsty to burn unbelievers. Only the janissaries can stand against them. Their living legend, Kevah, once beheaded a magus amid a hail of ice daggers. But ever since his wife disappeared, he spends his days in a haze of hashish and poetry. To save the kingdom, Kevah must conquer his grief and become the legend he once was. But Micah writes his own legend in blood, and his righteous conquest will stop at nothing. When the gods choose sides, a legend will be etched upon the stars.
-
-
Dark Fantasy
- By Anonymous User on 05-05-22
-
Of Blood and Fire
- The Bound and the Broken, Book 1
- By: Ryan Cahill
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the South squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North. In the remote villages of Southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving - a test of courage and skill that not all survive. But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war.
-
-
A fantastic debut and fantastic performance
- By d on 17-11-21
-
The Justice of Kings
- Empire of the Wolf, Book 1
- By: Richard Swan
- Narrated by: Lucy Paterson
- Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Empire of the Wolf simmers with unrest. Rebels, heretics and powerful patricians all challenge the power of the imperial throne. Only the Order of Justices stands in the way of chaos. Sir Konrad Vonvalt is the most feared Justice of all, upholding the law by way of his sharp mind, arcane powers and skill as a swordsman. At his side stands Helena Sedanka, his clerk and protégé, orphaned by the wars that forged the empire.
-
-
Very impressive debut novel.
- By Pau on 29-06-22
-
The Forgetting Moon
- By: Brian Lee Durfee
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 30 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Five Isles, where war has come in the name of the invading army of Sor Sevier, a merciless host driven by the prophetic fervor of the Angel Prince, Aeros, toward the last unconquered kingdom of Gul Kana. Yet Gault, one of the elite Knights Archaic of Sor Sevier, is growing disillusioned by the crusade he is at the vanguard of just as it embarks on his Lord Aeros' greatest triumph. While the eldest son of the fallen king of Gul Kana now reigns in ever increasing paranoid isolationism, his two sisters seek their own paths.
-
The Shadow of the Gods
- By: John Gwynne
- Narrated by: Colin Mace
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið. Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out. As whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people.
-
-
Finished it in a day
- By Samuelson Obigbesan on 09-05-21
-
The Lesser Devil
- By: Christopher Ruocchio
- Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Crispin Marlowe grew up in his brother’s shadow, but Hadrian is gone, and his grandmother - the Duchess of Delos - is dying. Answering her summons, Crispin takes off on what should be a routine flight to the ducal palace from the castle at Devil’s Rest. But he is flying into a trap. There are whispers of treachery among the duchess’s many daughters, rumors of hidden knives in the planet’s court...if he can even make it there.
-
Gunmetal Gods
- Gunmetal Gods, Book 1
- By: Zamil Akhtar
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fifty thousand gun-toting paladins march behind him, all baptized in angel blood, thirsty to burn unbelievers. Only the janissaries can stand against them. Their living legend, Kevah, once beheaded a magus amid a hail of ice daggers. But ever since his wife disappeared, he spends his days in a haze of hashish and poetry. To save the kingdom, Kevah must conquer his grief and become the legend he once was. But Micah writes his own legend in blood, and his righteous conquest will stop at nothing. When the gods choose sides, a legend will be etched upon the stars.
-
-
Dark Fantasy
- By Anonymous User on 05-05-22
-
Of Blood and Fire
- The Bound and the Broken, Book 1
- By: Ryan Cahill
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the South squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North. In the remote villages of Southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving - a test of courage and skill that not all survive. But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war.
-
-
A fantastic debut and fantastic performance
- By d on 17-11-21
-
The Justice of Kings
- Empire of the Wolf, Book 1
- By: Richard Swan
- Narrated by: Lucy Paterson
- Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Empire of the Wolf simmers with unrest. Rebels, heretics and powerful patricians all challenge the power of the imperial throne. Only the Order of Justices stands in the way of chaos. Sir Konrad Vonvalt is the most feared Justice of all, upholding the law by way of his sharp mind, arcane powers and skill as a swordsman. At his side stands Helena Sedanka, his clerk and protégé, orphaned by the wars that forged the empire.
-
-
Very impressive debut novel.
- By Pau on 29-06-22
-
The Forgetting Moon
- By: Brian Lee Durfee
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 30 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Five Isles, where war has come in the name of the invading army of Sor Sevier, a merciless host driven by the prophetic fervor of the Angel Prince, Aeros, toward the last unconquered kingdom of Gul Kana. Yet Gault, one of the elite Knights Archaic of Sor Sevier, is growing disillusioned by the crusade he is at the vanguard of just as it embarks on his Lord Aeros' greatest triumph. While the eldest son of the fallen king of Gul Kana now reigns in ever increasing paranoid isolationism, his two sisters seek their own paths.
-
The Shadow of the Gods
- By: John Gwynne
- Narrated by: Colin Mace
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið. Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out. As whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people.
-
-
Finished it in a day
- By Samuelson Obigbesan on 09-05-21
-
The Fire's Stone
- By: Tanya Huff
- Narrated by: Bill Hensel
- Length: 11 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A wizard, a drunkard, and a thief - three strangers who must learn to work together or Ischia is lost beneath a sea of lava. But Aaron, the thief, is hiding more than stolen jewels. Chandra, the wizard, is running from a political marriage. And Darvish, the prince Chandra is intended to marry and the man Aaron has hidden the most from, well, Darvish really needs a drink. Before they can hope to save Ischia, they must save themselves.
-
-
A tale that ages very well!
- By AMG, London on 19-04-21
-
The Censor's Hand
- Book One of the Thrice-Crossed Swords Trilogy
- By: A. M. Steiner
- Narrated by: Michael Troughton
- Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Miranda, one of the 100 adopted daughters of the Dowager Duchess, wants nothing more than to become a master of the cunning arts. But never before has a woman been permitted to wield such power. Jonathan faces ruin. The sails of his mill haven't turned since the Company of Cunning diverted the winds of Bromwich to their advantage. How far will he go to protect his family from destitution and the gangsters? If Daniel, his brother, passes the tests to become a censor, maybe he could protect them. He might even get the chance to make amends for what happened to their sister.
-
-
Starts good, gets better, touches greatness.
- By Harry Frost on 30-06-20
-
Theft of Swords
- Riyria Revelations, Volume 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Acclaimed author Michael J. Sullivan created instant best sellers with his spellbinding Riyria Revelations series. This first volume introduces Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, two enterprising thieves who end up running for their lives when they’re framed for the death of the king. Trapped in a conspiracy bigger than they can imagine, their only hope is unraveling an ancient mystery - before it’s too late.
-
-
Worked - in parts
- By Adam on 11-11-14
-
Unsouled
- By: Will Wight
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sacred artists follow a thousand Paths to power, using their souls to control the forces of the natural world. Lindon is Unsouled, forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan. When faced with a looming fate he cannot ignore, he must rise beyond anything he's ever known...and forge his own Path.
-
-
Too much worldbuilding/magic system
- By Just a reader on 24-04-21
-
The Heroic Age Trilogy
- A Mortal Techniques Box Set
- By: Rob J. Hayes
- Narrated by: Kim Bretton
- Length: 44 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ein is on a mission from God...the God of Death. Time is up for the emperor of Ten Kings, and it falls to Ein, an eight-year-old boy, to render the judgement of the reaper. He can't do it alone, but luckily the world is full of travelling heroes. There's only one catch; in order to serve him, they must first die.
-
-
Wow!
- By Amazon Customer on 13-03-22
-
Tigana
- By: Guy Gavriel Kay
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 24 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eight of the nine Palm provinces of the Peninsula have been overcome by warrior sorcerers Brandin and Alberico. But the sorcerers don't know that a small band of survivors is plotting their removal. With tensions mounting, the sorcerers become increasingly at odds as each decides where his own path - and that of the land - should truly lie.
-
-
Both gorgeous and gripping
- By Frances on 13-05-20
-
Empire of the Vampire
- Empire of the Vampire, Book 1
- By: Jay Kristoff
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 27 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It has been 27 long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity, building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness. Gabriel de León, half man, half monster and last remaining silversaint - a sworn brother of the holy Silver Order dedicated to defending the realm from the creatures of the night - is all that stands between the world and its end. Now imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story.
-
-
The Best
- By tracey pashley on 10-09-21
-
Kings of Paradise
- Ash and Sand, Book 1
- By: Richard Nell
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 25 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ruka, called a demon at birth, is a genius. Born malformed and ugly into the snow-covered wasteland of the Ascom, he was spared from death by his mother's love. Now he is an outcast, consumed with hate for those who've wronged him. But to take his vengeance, he must first survive. Across a vast sea in the white-sand island paradise of Sri Kon, Kale is fourth and youngest son of the Sorcerer King. As the first prince ever forced to serve with low-born marines, Kale must prove himself and become a man, or else lose all chance of a worthy future, and any hope to win the love of his life.
-
-
Great epic fantasy
- By Peter Gee on 19-01-19
-
Dragon Mage
- Rivenworld, Book 1
- By: ML Spencer
- Narrated by: Ben Farrow
- Length: 27 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known. But Aram is more. Much, much more. Unknown to him, Aram bears within him a gift so old and rare that many people would kill him for it, and there are others who would twist him to use for their own sinister purposes.
-
-
Wow, wow, wow, what a book
- By Ross Murphy on 02-09-21
-
The Emperor's Blades
- Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1
- By: Brian Staveley
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.
-
-
Excellent series
- By Robyn on 17-10-18
-
The Abyss Beyond Dreams
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When images of a lost civilization are 'dreamed' by a self-proclaimed prophet of the age, Nigel Sheldon, inventor of wormhole technology and creator of the Commonwealth society, is asked to investigate. Especially as the dreams seem to be coming from the Void - a mysterious area of living space monitored and controlled because of its hugely destructive capabilities.
-
-
Ever wonder how Marx would have dealt with aliens?
- By M on 06-11-14
-
Dune
- By: Frank Herbert
- Narrated by: Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, and others
- Length: 21 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shortlisted for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2007.
Here is the novel that will be forever considered a triumph of the imagination. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Maud'dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family and would bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainable dream.
-
-
Incomplete adaptation. Not the full novel.
- By O on 16-10-15
Summary
Hadrian Marlowe, privileged first son of a Duke, was destined for greatness, and he has become a legend. The Sun-Slayer. The Breaker of Sieges. The Crusher of Civilisations. His is a story which defined the course of worlds.
This novel is not that story - not the only laid out in the history books, charting the 300 years of his life. Rather this is Hadrian's story, told in his own worlds. Of being passed over by his father for rule in favour of his younger brother and sent to a military academy against his wishes. Of being kidnapped in transit to that planet and sold into slavery on a planet at the edge of our war against the Cielcen...and of how he used their eventual attack to claw his way back into the dangers and opportunities of politics.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
More from the same
What listeners say about Empire of Silence
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Patrick
- 26-08-18
A story that never took off
Narrator was very good.
Story: lots of potential but lacked suspense. characters lacked depth. 10 words were used regularly when one would do. writer just got caught up in their world and forgot about building suspense.
in short it was boring
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Seth
- 27-07-18
Damn good fantasy sci-fi
Listened to this based on the recommendation of another listener who described it as ‘Name of the Wind’ in space - immediately sold on that! (Interestingly also how Orion publishing describe it whilst still managing to claim that it is totally original? Nice one!)
The initial set up of the story is perhaps too comparable for my liking. I freaking adored ‘Name of the Wind’ and there are some similarities that are slightly too close to the bone - if it wasn’t set in space it would basically be the same opening to the story (expect Marlow is chronicling himself) but as the book progresses and the characters develop, the story blossoms into something truly special.
Most impressive is the seemingly effortless blend of sci fi and fantasy elements and neither feels forced upon the other, fusing noble houses, knights, scholars and sword play with a wide array of completely believable alien races and planets - all beautiful written and, most importantly, granted the space to breath allowing the reader to form the image of them in their own mind. (Too often the author drastically over describes everything and it’s suffocating - the Space Knight series, comparable in its SciFan blend, is a particularly bad culprit!)
John Lee is fantastic.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 13-09-18
A superb first installment
A unique take on a space epic brought to life by an amazing narrator who captures the spirit of the book perfectly
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- andrew larcombe
- 15-07-18
Breath of fresh air.
Always a bit if risk buying an audiobook from a new writer, but after listening to the book, you would never know.
Great story line, characters are well developed and I was impressed with the depth of feeling I had while listening. looking forward to the next book.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- victoria macdonalf
- 28-02-20
Never write one word when you can write 63!
This is a very very long book that probably would have worked better as a short story...... So much over description and needless padding. Pacy it is not! The main character is unbelievably naive and makes one really stupid decision after another. It is also difficult to believe that he would pine so much for parental affection considering the world he was 'birthed' into. Because it is narrated by John Lee (always a good listen in my opinion) I have persevered for about fifteen hours of this book but I am still waiting for it to really take off. I don't think I can finish it. it is far too slow and the 'hero' is such a bubbling irritating prat. I bought it because it had a lot of positive reviews. I suppose it is just a matter of taste.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ashley slocombe
- 19-12-19
Brilliant
A long listen but worth it and can't wait for the next one now. Hurry up.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jonathan
- 20-01-19
Too Quiet!
Whenever I played this audiobook in the car or just on loudspeaker while cracking on with jobs around the house, it was too quiet even when cranked up to max. As you can imagine, not being able to hear an audiobook really impacted on the experience and I frequently found myself only getting pieces of the story. I would then have to go back to re-listen. There were parts of this story where I was really engaged and interested in what was going on, and other times when I was a bit bored. It's hard for me to say how much of this was due to not being able to hear it properly and where there may have been simply slow parts of the story.
That being said, it was pretty enjoyable, I'd give it a 7/10.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- FUDGEU
- 12-09-18
Empire of Silence Mac approved
Nearly devoured this in a single sitting
Can't wait to see what happens next woof woof
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- d
- 09-03-22
fantastic space opera/fantasy
If you've read Red Rising of are a fan of space opera with that fantasy edge, this is the one for you. I loved it.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 24-11-21
fantastic performance, too many plot twists
The story itself changes direction so many times from where I think it would go, that it almost gave me a whiplash.
I once read "This book is like the description of The Lies of Locke Lamora in space."
I felt inclined to agree.
However, I think that would be slightly false.
This story, is among many things, a legacy.
The structure of The Holy Roman Empire, the fear of the Spanish Inquisition, The brilliance of Firefly, The description of Locke Lamora, and the writing suited a Old English thesis.
In short; one hell of a book.
Can someone give the narrator a glass of water?
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Carl Haynes
- 22-09-18
Deep engaging world delivering at every turn
Author asks a lot of his new world and delivers. His main protagonist never acts out of character and you never get the feeling that the plot was pushing actions against a characters underlying personality
Recommend and waiting for the next book
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- fionn
- 15-02-19
Not much story for 25+ hours
The story meanders and tangents abound. Over and over I was left feeling like most of the writing was self indulgent and purposeless. There is also a ridiculous amount of story and character backfilling, where the main character "remembers" events from his past that were not included in the story to prove some point he is making. Pretty lazy storytelling.
The narrator on the other hand is just the greatest.
2 people found this helpful