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Quick answer: If you loved Empire of Silence, read Christopher Ruocchio's The Howling Dark, then Hyperion, Dune, The Shadow of the Torturer and Red Rising. All are epic, richly written science fiction about brilliant, haunted heroes in far-future empires.
Christopher Ruocchio's 2018 debut is narrated by Hadrian Marlowe, who tells the story of how he came to be known as a destroyer of worlds. It is long, poetic and tinged with classical references. The books below share its far-future empires, dense world building and ornate style.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Howling Dark | Christopher Ruocchio | Adult | the sequel |
| Hyperion | Dan Simmons | Adult | epic pilgrimage |
| Dune | Frank Herbert | Adult | political epic |
| The Shadow of the Torturer | Gene Wolfe | Adult | ornate far future |
| Red Rising | Pierce Brown | Adult | brutal dystopia |
| Revelation Space | Alastair Reynolds | Adult | gothic space opera |
| A Fire Upon the Deep | Vernor Vinge | Adult | big ideas |
| Leviathan Wakes | James S. A. Corey | Adult | space mystery |
| A Memory Called Empire | Arkady Martine | Adult | diplomatic intrigue |
| Ancillary Justice | Ann Leckie | Adult | AI and empire |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | Adult | lyrical storyteller |
| Gideon the Ninth | Tamsyn Muir | Adult | necromancers in space |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | magic and rebellion |
| Old Man's War | John Scalzi | Adult | witty military science fiction |
| The Three-Body Problem | Liu Cixin | Adult | hard science fiction |
1. The Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio
Hadrian continues his journey and faces new dangers. Longer and darker.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Seven pilgrims tell their stories on the way to the Time Tombs. Ambitious and brilliant.
Best for: epic pilgrimage.
3. Dune by Frank Herbert
A noble family takes control of a desert planet. Dense, influential and thrilling.
Best for: political epic.
4. The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe
A torturer's apprentice is exiled and tells his story. Dense, strange and rewarding.
Best for: ornate far future.
5. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
A miner on Mars infiltrates the elite. Fast and violent.
Best for: brutal dystopia.
6. Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
An archaeologist investigates a dead civilisation. Dark and clever.
Best for: gothic space opera.
7. A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge
A race to stop a transcendent threat across the galaxy. Inventive and thrilling.
Best for: big ideas.
8. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
A detective and a ship's officer find a conspiracy across the solar system. The start of The Expanse.
Best for: space mystery.
9. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
An ambassador arrives in a vast empire as her predecessor has died. Elegant and political.
Best for: diplomatic intrigue.
10. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
A former warship in a human body seeks revenge. Intelligent and original.
Best for: AI and empire.
11. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe tells his own story. Beautiful and slow.
Best for: lyrical storyteller.
12. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
A swordswoman and a necromancer solve a mystery in a decaying palace. Witty and gothic.
Best for: necromancers in space.
13. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street thief joins a crew to topple an immortal ruler. Tight plot.
Best for: magic and rebellion.
14. Old Man's War by John Scalzi
Seventy-five-year-olds join the colonial army. Quick and funny.
Best for: witty military science fiction.
15. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
Humanity faces first contact with an alien civilisation. Big ideas.
Best for: hard science fiction.
How to Choose
For more Ruocchio read The Howling Dark. For classic epics choose Dune, Hyperion or The Shadow of the Torturer. For action-driven space opera pick Red Rising or Leviathan Wakes. For political and diplomatic stories read A Memory Called Empire or Ancillary Justice. Empire of Silence is slow and detailed, so you may enjoy audiobooks, which suit its long, ornate prose. Hadrian Marlowe's story takes place across thousands of pages, so it helps to plan to read the whole series in stages. If you are new to this kind of science fiction, start with Dune or Red Rising, which are more direct. If you love poetic prose, try The Shadow of the Torturer or The Name of the Wind. If you prefer clever politics, A Memory Called Empire is the best. Readers of Ruocchio often like audiobooks, since the narrator for the series is highly praised.
Related: 15 Best Books on the Persian Empire: Cyrus, Darius and the Great Kings · 15 Best Books on the Ottoman Empire: Sultans, Istanbul and the Empire’s End
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Empire of Silence about?
Hadrian Marlowe recounts how he became the man who destroyed a civilisation.
Who wrote it?
Christopher Ruocchio.
When was it published?
2018.
How many books are in the Sun Eater series?
Several. Check current listings for the latest count.
Is it similar to Dune?
It shares far-future empires and a gifted hero, but its style is more lyrical.
Is it long?
Yes, around 600 pages.
Is it violent?
Yes, with battle scenes and dark themes.
What should I read next?
Try The Howling Dark or Hyperion.
Is the Sun Eater series finished?
Check current listings for the latest release and series status.
Is Empire of Silence hard to read?
The style is dense and ornate, but the plot moves along.
Is Empire of Silence a good place to start?
Yes. It is the first book of the Sun Eater series.
Does the series have a lot of battle scenes?
Yes, mixed with long stretches of character and politics.