The light of that murdered sun still burns me.

Back in 2018, newcomer Christopher Ruocchio introduced us to Hadrian Marlowe, the narrator of what was to be known as The Sun Eater series. In the opening lines of EMPIRE OF SILENCE, he revealed to us a man who makes no excuses and begs no forgiveness for what he has done with his life. A man knowing he is likely to be hanged if the Empire has its way. A man who chooses to tell you his story leading to the events that result in the death of a star. Can we trust all that Hadrian tells us? That is for each reader to decide for himself or herself.

"SHADOWS UPON TIME is truly epic....  It is one of those rare books that will have you closing the cover and then just sitting there. You’ll need the extra time to allow the weight of the enormity of the entire series to settle over you."

Now, in 2025, we arrive at the culmination of the story, laid out in the final volume of this remarkable adventure, SHADOWS UPON TIME. And it is in Chapter 83 where Hadrian once again repeats, though ever so slightly modified, his opening exposition about the murdered sun and his involvement in it. We have come full circle. But what is most extraordinary is that we have known for seven years where we would end up. We knew that Hadrian would find himself on an “impossible ship” and would “rip the heart out of a star,” that he would be a warrior turned monster, and that, no matter the darkness of his deeds, he would offer no apologies. We knew all of this within the opening pages of the first novel, yet arriving at that moment in this last installment is still elevated with tension.

So what are we dealing with? Hadrian is now a fugitive after his victory at Vorgossos, and he is hiding outside of human space hoping that an ally will come to support him. In the meantime, the Cielcin have withdrawn, and he knows they are amassing their armies for yet another brutal strike on the civilization of man. But now Hadrian controls the Demiurge, an unparalleled war machine that has the power to obliterate not only the Cielcin, but their gods as well. 

Numerous characters make a return from previous books, but as you would expect, Hadrian is the preeminent POV character. It is, after all, his story, though we do get the usual offerings from the perspectives of those who surround Hadrian along his journey. As we’ve come to expect in these books, Ruocchio tackles adventure with a dash of examination of some of the more existential questions of life. Over the course of seven novels, he has a sure hand in weaving his story, balancing the characters and their varied opinions and viewpoints. He delivers on the promises made throughout the series, and here he showers us with action, chaotic battle sequences, heartache, and just enough lingering questions to wonder what may lie ahead in the universe of the Sun Eater.

SHADOWS UPON TIME is truly epic. Here we see Ruocchio pull together the disparate strings from the earlier novels, drawing them all to a well-devised close. All of the plots born of politics, religion, violence, love, loss and destiny come together in one of the best finales to a series that I can remember. Twists and turns throw curves to our cast of characters, and the operatic drama soars to newer heights as we come to the wholly satisfying conclusion. It is one of those rare books that will have you closing the cover and then just sitting there. You’ll need the extra time to allow the weight of the enormity of the entire series to settle over you.

Christopher Ruocchio should be immensely proud of what he has accomplished, not just with SHADOWS UPON TIME specifically, but with The Sun Eater as a whole. He stuck the landing on an immense series, one that has gained a well-deserved following, and has given readers an extraordinary universe to explore and cherish --- be they a newcomer or an established fan.