Slow Gods

ByClaire North

Release Date: 2025-11-18
Genre: Science Fiction

Score: 4

From 117 Ratings

Description

Finalist for the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel!

Best of the Year at Gizmodo, Library Journal, and more!

"An astonishing, thought-provoking and above all touching story of found meaning and lost humanity.” —Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of Children of Time

Slow Gods is the galaxy-spanning tale of one man's impossible life charted against the fate of humanity amongst the stars—a powerfully imaginative space opera from multi-award-winning author Claire North, perfect for fans of A Memory Called Empire and The Vanished Birds.

My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze, and I am a very poor copy of myself.

In telling my story, there are certain things I should perhaps lie about. I should make myself a hero. Pretend I was not used by strangers and gods, did not leave people behind.

Here is one truth: out there in deep space, in the pilot's chair, I died. And then, I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me.

This is the story of the supernova event that burned planets and felled civilizations. This is also the story of the many lives I've lived since I died for the first time.

Are you listening?

Reviews

Incredibly imagative
5
By Appcreeteek
What a great book. I love science fiction but feel like I’ve read all the typical futuristic storylines. This book is different. Yes there are different worlds and different types of craft and beings are encountered but I loved the detail given for all the different encounters. Is it possible to have a space craft made of biological matter? Hmm. Maybe, and this book goes into detail on not only that but maybe how its driven and functions in space. Thats just one small example of the imaginative writing throughout the book. Is the pilot a human or just a brain thats put on different bodies? Stuff like that. You really have to stop and imagine while reading the book the different locales and beings that are encountered throughout. A very fun and exciting read. Highly recommend.
A good read deserves more attention
5
By timeappeal
I liked - slow pace to conclusion. Weaving of insights throughout. Cautions against hubris.
Disliked - too slow at times. Confusion about creation of characters that seems out of context.

Whatever the case, North creates and sustains a world greater than only one place in it. Well worth your time and assets.
Stunning
5
By 58 Pistol
Claire North is one very gifted writer. This book is way more than science fiction. It is a testament to the human condition and what it means to live and love. Read it…you will not be disappointed.
Praise for Slow Gods
5
By Phatfried
Claire North is a good writer. Slow Gods is science fiction space opera. The story was fresh and innovative while observing classic sci-fi form. I enjoyed the main character in an antihero form. I enjoyed the drama of the individual character digesting the big picture reality. I love that the author wrote an engrossing space opera novel. Highly recommended!