Navigating the murky waters of cosmic horror and sci-fi is no easy feat. The genre thrives on the unseen and the barely comprehensible, leaving audiences with an unsettling itch for clarity that refuses to be scratched. Getting the balance wrong just once, and what could have been an intricate cosmic web might instead come across as shallow as a kiddie pool. Luckily, “Shroud” skillfully sidesteps this pitfall. Its narrative sends you spiraling into a disorienting darkness, with the feeling of constantly being slightly out of your depth. You’ll find yourself delightfully lost, drifting further into its profound mysteries.
Crafted by Adrian Tchaikovsky—renowned for the Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning “Children of Time”—”Shroud” is a captivating tale of humanity’s relentless push into the vast unknown. It’s not just an adventure but a glimpse into a bleak future where humanity’s quest for celestial dominance doubles as a test of survival and an examination of oppressive capitalism.
Tchaikovsky’s vivid depiction of the Shroud is striking. The opening scenes, where ethereal tendrils snake through the cosmos, creating a choking atmosphere of an alien clutches, are nothing short of literary artistry. Their brilliance beckoned me to revisit these passages, purely to immerse myself once more in their gnarled magnificence.
“Shroud” shifts constantly, mirroring the characters’ growing dread and unease. The ambiguity in Tchaikovsky’s writing, with its shifting perspectives and cryptic language, amplifies the terror of the Shroud. Alien encounters are described with an almost poetic vagueness, presenting nerve-racking imagery that’s somehow even more disturbing than overt descriptions could ever be.
Even the prose has an unreliable quality, sometimes feeling distorted and heavy-laden with unfathomable concepts. While the author tries to make sci-fi approachable, those craving clear-cut answers and tidy conclusions might find it perplexing. Still, this style excels in immersing readers into a world that feels undeniably alien.
As for the characters, Juna Ceelander and Mai Ste Etienne initially come across as functional blanks focused on survival. Yet as they journey through the Shroud, they’re slowly colored with emotion, shaped by their experiences. Their development is subtle, underscoring the emotional toll exacted by the merciless corporate entity that dispatched them into the void in the first place.
Though rich in atmosphere and enigma, “Shroud” falters slightly when transitioning into a structured narrative. The midpoint adopts a predictably episodic cadence that, while serviceable, contrasts starkly with the more unsettling sections of the book.
It’s akin to a de rigueur explosive moment in an action film—it moves the plot along but sometimes feels less impactful compared to the carefully crafted world Tchaikovsky has so meticulously designed. Fortunately, the book regains its emotional punch towards the end, delivering a conclusion that’s as haunting as it is bittersweet.
“Shroud” echoes themes seen in works like “The Expanse,” mixing raw realism with critiques of capitalism, yet Tchaikovsky opts for a more personal approach. Instead of sprawling political intrigue, the focus remains tightly on a few isolated figures, creating a more intimate tale of survival against a mysterious, relentless backdrop. “Shroud” is as much about where humanity stands now as it is about where it might head, and whether anything remains worthwhile at that destination.
For those eager to explore this dark odyssey, “Shroud” by Adrian Tchaikovsky is currently accessible in the UK. U.S. readers can look forward to its release on June 3, 2025, with preorders available to ensure you don’t miss out.
