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The Hungry Gods
The Gods have returned to the world.
Amri was a Rabbit, one of a tribe of survivors scratching out an existence in the blasted landscape of a shattered, poisoned world. The Seagull fight, the Pigeon trade and the Cockroach scavenge, but the Rabbit had one If you want to see tomorrow, you run.
But they didn’t run fast enough when a weapon fell from the sky and consumed their home, and now Amri is alone, in the company of a fallen god named Guy Vesten. A god who promises revenge against the three gods who turned against him, and who killed her tribe.
But gods don’t die easily. Guy will need followers, like any god, and warriors to aid him in his quest. And if Amri is to find a place in the world that is to come, she may as well be standing at his right hand, as his priestess…
Amri was a Rabbit, one of a tribe of survivors scratching out an existence in the blasted landscape of a shattered, poisoned world. The Seagull fight, the Pigeon trade and the Cockroach scavenge, but the Rabbit had one If you want to see tomorrow, you run.
But they didn’t run fast enough when a weapon fell from the sky and consumed their home, and now Amri is alone, in the company of a fallen god named Guy Vesten. A god who promises revenge against the three gods who turned against him, and who killed her tribe.
But gods don’t die easily. Guy will need followers, like any god, and warriors to aid him in his quest. And if Amri is to find a place in the world that is to come, she may as well be standing at his right hand, as his priestess…
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2025
151 people are currently reading
2041 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Tchaikovsky
191 books17.4k followersADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading, before practising law in Leeds. He is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Mary Gently, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
August 21, 2025
“Sometimes future demands sacrifice.”
Having read a string of quite unsatisfying novellas recently, I was about to start doubting the genre. But then Adrian Tchaikovsky as always swoops in and seemingly effortlessly shows how it’s done, how a sharply and skillfully written novella can be perfect for its length, with all the worlbuilding and character development and interesting well-paced plot happening at the same time and in the same space.
Tchaikovsky doesn’t fall into the common awards-bait trap of pompousness, preachiness and overt message fiction. He finds new angles to see old tales from a new point of view. He lets the story breathe and has characters develop organically, with ear for dialogue and believable human behavior that doesn’t feel like just plot service. His plots don’t need shocking twists to feel fresh, and he’s an absolute master of satisfying closure to the stories.
In Hungry Gods future Earth, polluted and poisoned, a few small tribes eke out subsistence living in the remains of once great cities — and then four gods come from the sky, ready to battle over the future of this world. Of course, they are not actual gods; they are elite scientist and tech entrepreneurs of eons ago who ran away from what they thought was a dying Earth to build utopias in space, but now are back, all with their own vision of how exactly they can fix the planet. But none of their grand ideas seem to leave any place for people who are actually already there, who dared to survive when the “best minds” left, and who may inconveniently get in the new gods’ way to become godlike saviors.
And maybe any sufficiently advanced technology can often be indistinguishable from magic, but also maybe narcissistically self-important tech/science bros can’t quite assume that everyone is so beneath them that manipulation is easy. When you used to being on top of the world, it’s too easy to disregard the rest of the “biomass”, but that way lies danger and payback.
It’s interesting and clever, and slightly cynical, and at first quite bleak, but the glimmer of hope gets brighter in the end. We all can easily think of those entitled few who are so convinced of their special superiority and untouchability and want to see the smugness knocked off the self-satisfied mugs of theirs. Well, Tchaikovsky is with us on that, and it’s satisfying to say the least.
Emma Newman did an excellent job narrating the story, and I’m very happy with all of it.
4.5 stars.
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Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing me with an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Also posted on my blog.
August 3, 2025
I am constantly amazed at the quality and originality of Adrian Tchaikovsky's work.
In this novella, he perfectly blends Sci-Fi and fantasy themes to deliver a frightening tale of what would become of Earth if all the rich people and best minds had left it long ago to create their utopia. And worst of all, what would happen if some of those who have left came back.
It was beautifully written and very dark, but there was still some hope and humour in it.
I listened to the audiobook version and I loved the narrator. She really bring the tale to life.
Thank you so much Tantor Audio for this ARC!
In this novella, he perfectly blends Sci-Fi and fantasy themes to deliver a frightening tale of what would become of Earth if all the rich people and best minds had left it long ago to create their utopia. And worst of all, what would happen if some of those who have left came back.
It was beautifully written and very dark, but there was still some hope and humour in it.
I listened to the audiobook version and I loved the narrator. She really bring the tale to life.
Thank you so much Tantor Audio for this ARC!
August 13, 2025
Brief Summary:
Long after the collapse of humanity’s so called golden age, tribes of humans named for the animals they emulate have struggled along in a toxic world. When giant tech billionaires descend from their space Utopia to remake the poisoned planet once again as it used to be, they discover that it is already occupied by these tribes. Blind and ignorant to everyone and everything that doesn’t flatter or empower them, their hubris once again causes a surprising downfall, but not before Amir and other survivors have learned to use these new gods for all they are worth.
Further Thoughts:
Don’t you just wish that you could make every CEO of every big business polluter read Tchaikovsky’s work? Of course, would those sociopaths even be capable of caring about it? I don’t know, but you would think at least in the name of self preservation, they might take note, especially when the warnings are so brilliantly laid out in such highly palatable sci-fi like The Hungry Gods. Minimally, I wish every voter would read this work. It is purely delightful start to finish, fascinating and provocative. It’s a must read. And it’s a fast read. Joseph Campbell would have absolutely loved it—I actually feel pained that he never got to read such a perfect application of apocalyptic survivors remaking innate mythology and with such a satisfying twist. I would have watched and recorded that PBS Bill Moyers special.
I obviously loved every page of this book. It’s a quick read that’s easy to invest in. I read it in one sitting. I try never to miss one of Mr. Tchaikovsky’s Solaris novellas . They are always exciting, and they always inform thoughtful discussions. I often wonder if they are being taught in universities yet. His novellas especially would work so well in so many disciplines, from anthropology/sociology/bio-chem to literary novel classes. And I can’t think of a better choice if professors wanted contemporary outside reading to spark discussion and concept application.
If Adrian Tchaikovsky is an author you haven’t experienced yet, The Hungry Gods would be a perfect introduction. His novellas published by Solaris in general are great places to start. These hardcovers come in signed, limited print runs, so I should mention that the older ones can be a challenge to find. But my public library always carries them, and most of them are eventually available in paperback or via kindle.
Long after the collapse of humanity’s so called golden age, tribes of humans named for the animals they emulate have struggled along in a toxic world. When giant tech billionaires descend from their space Utopia to remake the poisoned planet once again as it used to be, they discover that it is already occupied by these tribes. Blind and ignorant to everyone and everything that doesn’t flatter or empower them, their hubris once again causes a surprising downfall, but not before Amir and other survivors have learned to use these new gods for all they are worth.
Further Thoughts:
Don’t you just wish that you could make every CEO of every big business polluter read Tchaikovsky’s work? Of course, would those sociopaths even be capable of caring about it? I don’t know, but you would think at least in the name of self preservation, they might take note, especially when the warnings are so brilliantly laid out in such highly palatable sci-fi like The Hungry Gods. Minimally, I wish every voter would read this work. It is purely delightful start to finish, fascinating and provocative. It’s a must read. And it’s a fast read. Joseph Campbell would have absolutely loved it—I actually feel pained that he never got to read such a perfect application of apocalyptic survivors remaking innate mythology and with such a satisfying twist. I would have watched and recorded that PBS Bill Moyers special.
I obviously loved every page of this book. It’s a quick read that’s easy to invest in. I read it in one sitting. I try never to miss one of Mr. Tchaikovsky’s Solaris novellas . They are always exciting, and they always inform thoughtful discussions. I often wonder if they are being taught in universities yet. His novellas especially would work so well in so many disciplines, from anthropology/sociology/bio-chem to literary novel classes. And I can’t think of a better choice if professors wanted contemporary outside reading to spark discussion and concept application.
If Adrian Tchaikovsky is an author you haven’t experienced yet, The Hungry Gods would be a perfect introduction. His novellas published by Solaris in general are great places to start. These hardcovers come in signed, limited print runs, so I should mention that the older ones can be a challenge to find. But my public library always carries them, and most of them are eventually available in paperback or via kindle.
August 17, 2025
3.5 stars. The Hungry Gods revisits some of Tchaikovsky's familiar themes in a dark blend of sci-fi, post-apocalyptic survival, eco-horror and fantasy - most notably the arrogance and hubris of society's mega-elite. The story begins with strong world-building and compelling characters, drawing you in right away. However, as it progresses, it starts to feel a bit over-the-top, almost cartoonish, losing some of its impact and ultimately ending on a flatter note than it began.
August 22, 2025
Another wildly creative tale from Adrian Tchaikovsky, his imagination with alien worlds never disappoints. Here, Amri, a “rabbit” air quotes! does what rabbits do best at first run, run, run. On a planet ruined by gods who return in spacesuits, survival means choosing sides in their endless wars. But really, is there ever such a thing as the winning side? And if not, whose side are we is she supposed to be on?
Thank you to Tantor Audio via NetGalley for the ARC. Emma Newman’s narration brought the atmosphere and characters to life beautifully. This is my honest opinion.
Thank you to Tantor Audio via NetGalley for the ARC. Emma Newman’s narration brought the atmosphere and characters to life beautifully. This is my honest opinion.
September 1, 2025
Welcome to another of Tchaikovsky's dystopias. *lol*
This time, we're on Earth (again), but you'd hardly recognize it for there is barely any drinkable water and even the drinkable stuff will eventually kill you. The world is a dry, lethal, polluted and contaminated place where you're old if you manage to make it to 30.
In this ruinous world where barely any humans are left, there are factions named after animals: Seagulls who are mostly fighters, Pigeons who are traders, Cockroaches who scavenge, Rats who are supposedly resistant to the poisons and diseases, and Rabbits who mostly run when there is danger.
It's this last tribe our MC hails from. She's a nobody within her tribe's hierarchy, has no family, so she has to earn her keep. During one of her rather desperate attempts to find anything resembling wood (to burn under the stoves that boil the water so it can be consumed), something falls out of the sky.
As it turns out, there are "gods" - humans who are not diseased and dying of thirst but well-equipped scientists who once abandoned Earth and lived in space, even traveling the stars). One of them was cast out when they all returned to "save" Earth. And if you're thinking of an angel falling from the sky like friggin Lucifer, you'd be right.
The "angel" is called Guy, which made me chuckle quite a bit. Apart from him, there are 3 other "gods". They consider themselves "the worthy" who left Earth when it became too toxic and are generally not very friendly or empathetic people (maybe also because of how old they are what with them having the tech to transfer their consciousness into designer bodies).
Since Amri (our MC) has nothing to lose (the pod Guy arrived in struck her village and what started growing at the crash site all but wiped out her tribe), she follows Guy. Thus begins her journey of "self-discovery" smack in the middle of quite a conflict for literal world domination.
Not sure I bought into the self-discovery bit but Amri was a pretty likeable character (up to a certain point). Personally, as is almost to be expected by this point, I was more interested in the "mystery" of what had happened to Earth, where it fit with regards to the other novellas, who the "gods" were, why Guy was cast out etc. Plus the exploration of all the science.
Nothing much needs to be said about Tchaikovsky's writing as it's almost always excellent. I very much appreciate that his writing only deepens the WTF feeling and puzzlement for the reader in these novellas and a few of his other scifi works (the reader having to get their bearings and finding answers).
This time, we're on Earth (again), but you'd hardly recognize it for there is barely any drinkable water and even the drinkable stuff will eventually kill you. The world is a dry, lethal, polluted and contaminated place where you're old if you manage to make it to 30.
In this ruinous world where barely any humans are left, there are factions named after animals: Seagulls who are mostly fighters, Pigeons who are traders, Cockroaches who scavenge, Rats who are supposedly resistant to the poisons and diseases, and Rabbits who mostly run when there is danger.
It's this last tribe our MC hails from. She's a nobody within her tribe's hierarchy, has no family, so she has to earn her keep. During one of her rather desperate attempts to find anything resembling wood (to burn under the stoves that boil the water so it can be consumed), something falls out of the sky.
As it turns out, there are "gods" - humans who are not diseased and dying of thirst but well-equipped scientists who once abandoned Earth and lived in space, even traveling the stars). One of them was cast out when they all returned to "save" Earth. And if you're thinking of an angel falling from the sky like friggin Lucifer, you'd be right.
The "angel" is called Guy, which made me chuckle quite a bit. Apart from him, there are 3 other "gods". They consider themselves "the worthy" who left Earth when it became too toxic and are generally not very friendly or empathetic people (maybe also because of how old they are what with them having the tech to transfer their consciousness into designer bodies).
Since Amri (our MC) has nothing to lose (the pod Guy arrived in struck her village and what started growing at the crash site all but wiped out her tribe), she follows Guy. Thus begins her journey of "self-discovery" smack in the middle of quite a conflict for literal world domination.
Not sure I bought into the self-discovery bit but Amri was a pretty likeable character (up to a certain point). Personally, as is almost to be expected by this point, I was more interested in the "mystery" of what had happened to Earth, where it fit with regards to the other novellas, who the "gods" were, why Guy was cast out etc. Plus the exploration of all the science.
Nothing much needs to be said about Tchaikovsky's writing as it's almost always excellent. I very much appreciate that his writing only deepens the WTF feeling and puzzlement for the reader in these novellas and a few of his other scifi works (the reader having to get their bearings and finding answers).
September 26, 2025
The author has written a number of these novellas exploring future worlds where things have progressed badly from our current world. Interesting to read how current trends could lead to sometimes unrecognizable futures.
December 4, 2025
I've wanted to read Adrian Tchaikovsky for a while and this novella was a great introduction to his work!
Four self-proclaimed "Gods" come back to a post-apocalyptic Earth, each of them with a vision to turn the devastated world into their own utopias. The humans that still live in the ruins of civilization will have to adapt and ally with them if they want to survive.
The world building in this novella is amazing, the author manages to paint a layered and complex picture of this world in just a few pages, and it leaves room for many other stories to be told in this same universe.
Although the beginning was a bit confusing, I thought the concept was really interesting once it's fully fleshed out. I could fully believe these former tech CEOs were so arrogant as to believe themselves gods. That they’re so above all laws and judgement from humanity that they had the right to decide what the perfect world and society should look like, and who lives or dies in order to achieve that "perfection".
I never knew where the story was going and I really enjoyed that, I didn’t think it was predictable, and although the overall story was somewhat bleak, the ending was satisfying.
I listened to the audiobook version and I have to say the narrator was excellent! I loved how I could discern the personalities of the characters just from the narrator's acting, it added an extra layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
I'm even more excited to dive into other works of this author after reading this book!
Thanks to Tantor Audio via NetGalley for providing an ALC
Four self-proclaimed "Gods" come back to a post-apocalyptic Earth, each of them with a vision to turn the devastated world into their own utopias. The humans that still live in the ruins of civilization will have to adapt and ally with them if they want to survive.
The world building in this novella is amazing, the author manages to paint a layered and complex picture of this world in just a few pages, and it leaves room for many other stories to be told in this same universe.
Although the beginning was a bit confusing, I thought the concept was really interesting once it's fully fleshed out. I could fully believe these former tech CEOs were so arrogant as to believe themselves gods. That they’re so above all laws and judgement from humanity that they had the right to decide what the perfect world and society should look like, and who lives or dies in order to achieve that "perfection".
I never knew where the story was going and I really enjoyed that, I didn’t think it was predictable, and although the overall story was somewhat bleak, the ending was satisfying.
I listened to the audiobook version and I have to say the narrator was excellent! I loved how I could discern the personalities of the characters just from the narrator's acting, it added an extra layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
I'm even more excited to dive into other works of this author after reading this book!
Thanks to Tantor Audio via NetGalley for providing an ALC
September 21, 2025
Returning to the SFnal world of War Dogs, etc, Tchaikovsky pushes it forward much faster after Bees took over in the last book. Indeed, we head straight into GODS territory, with their old world in-fighting, their fundamental ideological antipathy, and their inherent disregard of actual reality.
Indeed, the whole novella reads perfectly as a critique of our own would-be gods right here on modern-day earth.
Ignore reality at your own expense.
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.
Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
Indeed, the whole novella reads perfectly as a critique of our own would-be gods right here on modern-day earth.
Ignore reality at your own expense.
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.
Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
August 4, 2025
7/10
some interesting stuff, but feels like a rehash of too many of the themes and thought processes in previous novellas. It also felt like the synopsis of the novella didn't really match what we got, which made it a little more annoying how it ended up feeling so similiar. I would rather he more overtly connected these last few novellas that are clearly in the same thematic lens instead of doing so much worldbuilding in the early portions of each one only to end up treading similiar ground.
some interesting stuff, but feels like a rehash of too many of the themes and thought processes in previous novellas. It also felt like the synopsis of the novella didn't really match what we got, which made it a little more annoying how it ended up feeling so similiar. I would rather he more overtly connected these last few novellas that are clearly in the same thematic lens instead of doing so much worldbuilding in the early portions of each one only to end up treading similiar ground.
August 13, 2025
Voice actor (and author) Emma Newman narrates this latest novella wonderfully in the audiobook of this story by author Adrian Tchaikovsky. In typical Tchaikovsky fashion, he posits what if people who left an Earth ravaged by environmental destruction returned, then gives us an unexpected ending.
The main character of this story is Amri, a member of the Rabbit tribe on Earth, whose whole way of life is, "See danger. Run." There are many other tribes also, all of them eking out a miserable existence on the planet.
The two other tribes who feature prominently in this story are Seagull and Cockroach; Amri has a violent encounter with some Seagulls, and runs back home, only to watch as it is obliterated. Out of the devastation come two things: an explosive proliferation of plants, and a man claiming to a god.
Amri is overwhelmed and in shock, and just accepts what the man says, and works with him to bring the Seagulls on board with his plan, which is to basically stick a wrench in what his fellow "gods" have in the works to rebuild/remediate Earth because they rejected and tried to kill him.
The god proceeds to tell Amri where he and the other three came from (space), and what they did over years, and why they're back, but none of these four men even bothers to really engage with the people whose lives they're destroying and/or changing, instead manipulating and talking down to them, much to their detriment.
This is a darkly funny little tale about ordinary people, and how tech bros, who, because of their privilege and technical aptitude, forget that people are at the centre of every situation, that problems are much more complex than they think, and unilaterally deciding for others, because they're small or supposedly irrelevant, is smug, superior and odious.
It was lovely to see Amri go from terror to veneration to cooperation with her former enemies, to canny priestess of a world that is gradually improving for Earth's inhabitants.
The story is so satisfying, as we see the tech bros get their comeuppance.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Tantor Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The main character of this story is Amri, a member of the Rabbit tribe on Earth, whose whole way of life is, "See danger. Run." There are many other tribes also, all of them eking out a miserable existence on the planet.
The two other tribes who feature prominently in this story are Seagull and Cockroach; Amri has a violent encounter with some Seagulls, and runs back home, only to watch as it is obliterated. Out of the devastation come two things: an explosive proliferation of plants, and a man claiming to a god.
Amri is overwhelmed and in shock, and just accepts what the man says, and works with him to bring the Seagulls on board with his plan, which is to basically stick a wrench in what his fellow "gods" have in the works to rebuild/remediate Earth because they rejected and tried to kill him.
The god proceeds to tell Amri where he and the other three came from (space), and what they did over years, and why they're back, but none of these four men even bothers to really engage with the people whose lives they're destroying and/or changing, instead manipulating and talking down to them, much to their detriment.
This is a darkly funny little tale about ordinary people, and how tech bros, who, because of their privilege and technical aptitude, forget that people are at the centre of every situation, that problems are much more complex than they think, and unilaterally deciding for others, because they're small or supposedly irrelevant, is smug, superior and odious.
It was lovely to see Amri go from terror to veneration to cooperation with her former enemies, to canny priestess of a world that is gradually improving for Earth's inhabitants.
The story is so satisfying, as we see the tech bros get their comeuppance.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Tantor Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.
August 17, 2025
I never thought this day would come. The day I'd rate a book by Adrian Tchaikovsky, my current favorite writer, only 3 stars. Many of my ratings for his books are fives and they genuinely deserve that (one I rated 6/5, don't ask me how that's possible). The rest I rate four stars because they are good but not quite five star good. Then there's "The Hungry Gods". A measly three star book. What a disappointment.
I did not connect with any of the characters, not even the poor Rabbit girl who, when we meet her, is on the run from danger. I was confused for awhile. The humans on Earth are referred to as animals and from a grouping called The Rabbit, The Seagull, etc. Were these humans that had been transformed into a humanoid/animal hybrid shape? Were they actual animals? Or were they regular humans pretending to be animals? It's not good to be confused when reading a book, especially for a long time.
I could foresee the ending early on, or at least close enough. The rest of my time reading was just filling in the pieces so I could finally understand what was going on, what had gone on in the past, and what the gods intended for the future.
Writing is of course great, as always. 3rd person. No swearing that I remember. Flow of the book was good.
I did not connect with any of the characters, not even the poor Rabbit girl who, when we meet her, is on the run from danger. I was confused for awhile. The humans on Earth are referred to as animals and from a grouping called The Rabbit, The Seagull, etc. Were these humans that had been transformed into a humanoid/animal hybrid shape? Were they actual animals? Or were they regular humans pretending to be animals? It's not good to be confused when reading a book, especially for a long time.
I could foresee the ending early on, or at least close enough. The rest of my time reading was just filling in the pieces so I could finally understand what was going on, what had gone on in the past, and what the gods intended for the future.
Writing is of course great, as always. 3rd person. No swearing that I remember. Flow of the book was good.
August 25, 2025
Long after the fall of humanity’s so-called “golden age,” scattered tribes—each named after the animals they mimic—struggle to survive in a world choked by pollution, where water is toxic and the land is barren. When powerful tech billionaires, referred to as gods, return from their luxurious space-bound utopia to restore Earth to its former glory, they’re shocked to find it already inhabited. Arrogant and blind to anything that doesn’t serve their egos or ambitions, their pride leads once more to an unexpected collapse. But this time, survivors like Amir have learned how to turn these self-proclaimed gods to their own advantage.
Absolutely loved this especially with how fucking frighteningly close we are to this exact situation
Absolutely loved this especially with how fucking frighteningly close we are to this exact situation
August 7, 2025
A rich multi-billionaire who had abandoned Earth long ago has now returned with a plan to clean and remake the decaying and overheated planet. But first, he must gain the support of a Rabbit and a few key Seagulls (names for groups of surviving humans).
It’s a post-apocalyptic tale that points a finger at those who are packing their bunkers, ready to spend millions to leave the planet rather than to help fix things that are broken on Earth. In true Tchaikovsky style, I care deeply about the human animals left behind and marvel at the creative ways he sees humanity adapt and evolve. It's also quite entertaining and suspenseful.
This is a short novella with excellent audiobook narration. Highly recommended. My thanks to the author, publisher, @TantorAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 12 August 2025.
It’s a post-apocalyptic tale that points a finger at those who are packing their bunkers, ready to spend millions to leave the planet rather than to help fix things that are broken on Earth. In true Tchaikovsky style, I care deeply about the human animals left behind and marvel at the creative ways he sees humanity adapt and evolve. It's also quite entertaining and suspenseful.
This is a short novella with excellent audiobook narration. Highly recommended. My thanks to the author, publisher, @TantorAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 12 August 2025.
October 31, 2025
I enjoyed this one! I think Tchaikovsky writes really good "God complex" stories. I like how people segregate themselves into animal tribes with the behaviors to fit.
August 1, 2025
Arc from NetGalley.
Such a strong story. This has Stirling E. Lanier’s fingerprints all over it. Amri and Beaker both shine, and all the tech bros get what they have coming to them.
Such a strong story. This has Stirling E. Lanier’s fingerprints all over it. Amri and Beaker both shine, and all the tech bros get what they have coming to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting little novella that had good messages behind it. It is a dark post-apocalyptic story about fallen gods who return to earth to try to reshape it and also a story of revenge for one of the gods. The story is fast-paced and interesting. However, the main character was lacking depth, which made it hard to connect with her and care about what happens with her. It is an ok, quick read, and if you like Tchaikovsky's work, I think you will like this.
This was an interesting little novella that had good messages behind it. It is a dark post-apocalyptic story about fallen gods who return to earth to try to reshape it and also a story of revenge for one of the gods. The story is fast-paced and interesting. However, the main character was lacking depth, which made it hard to connect with her and care about what happens with her. It is an ok, quick read, and if you like Tchaikovsky's work, I think you will like this.
August 28, 2025
"We left because the world was dying, exhausted, mined out, poisoned. Despite our best efforts, despite everything we'd done to make people's lives better, the damage had already been done. We could see the future, gods as we were, and because we were gods, we could make the future too. A future in other places than the crippled world we had been born into, and so we left this world and went into space, and built our paradise, A new world to our specifications with none of the engrained flaws that had destroyed the old. A world where people would be free to live without shackles and barriers."
In The Hungry Gods, Adrian Tchaikovsky paints a haunting vision of a ruined Earth where the remnants of humanity survive in scattered tribes, each taking on the names and instincts of animals. Rabbits run, Seagulls fight, and Cockroaches scavenge.
Amri, a young member of the Rabbit tribe, lives by that rule of survival: flee and live another day. But when her home is obliterated by a falling weapon from the sky, she finds herself bound to a mysterious figure who calls himself a god.
This fallen god, Guy Vesten, seeks vengeance against the others who betrayed him, and Amri, caught between grief and desperation, steps into a role she never could have imagined, his companion, his priestess, and perhaps, his conscience.
The story is so beautifully written, I would gladly reread it handfuls of times. The Hungry Gods is filled with reflection & resilience. Tchaikovsky shows how fragile humans can still adapt and find new ways to resist. I loved how the so called gods weren’t divine at all, but echoes of humanity’s past hubris, powerful figures returning with visions of grandeur, completely blind to the people who endured the ruins of the world they left behind.
Amri is such a well written and unique main character. Through her eyes, the world feels both terrifying and strangely hopeful even when the world around her is crumbling. Her growth from terrified survivor to someone who learns to wield her voice against overwhelming added to the overall depth of the story.
I listened to the audiobook version and narrator, Emma Newman is outstanding.
I would listen to anything she narrates. Her performance accurately portrayed Amri's vulnerability and strength that drew me in from page 1.
The pacing felt natural, her tone captured the tension of the wastelands and the arrogance of the returning “gods,” and I found myself completely immersed in this world thanks to the writing and narration. They fit hand and hand so beautifully, Emma was the perfect choice.
The Hungry Gods is another brilliant blend of sci-fi and myth from Tchaikovsky, imaginative, darkly funny, & layered with meaning.
5 stars hands down.
"It isn't enough to fear- Fear on its own did not save you, because the things that you should fear could strike you down anyway, nobody has legs fast enough to outrun the end of the world. And so maybe being curious about the strange was better, because then you could understand it, predict it, fight it."
Thanks so much to RB Media and & Galley for this advance audiobook.
In The Hungry Gods, Adrian Tchaikovsky paints a haunting vision of a ruined Earth where the remnants of humanity survive in scattered tribes, each taking on the names and instincts of animals. Rabbits run, Seagulls fight, and Cockroaches scavenge.
Amri, a young member of the Rabbit tribe, lives by that rule of survival: flee and live another day. But when her home is obliterated by a falling weapon from the sky, she finds herself bound to a mysterious figure who calls himself a god.
This fallen god, Guy Vesten, seeks vengeance against the others who betrayed him, and Amri, caught between grief and desperation, steps into a role she never could have imagined, his companion, his priestess, and perhaps, his conscience.
The story is so beautifully written, I would gladly reread it handfuls of times. The Hungry Gods is filled with reflection & resilience. Tchaikovsky shows how fragile humans can still adapt and find new ways to resist. I loved how the so called gods weren’t divine at all, but echoes of humanity’s past hubris, powerful figures returning with visions of grandeur, completely blind to the people who endured the ruins of the world they left behind.
Amri is such a well written and unique main character. Through her eyes, the world feels both terrifying and strangely hopeful even when the world around her is crumbling. Her growth from terrified survivor to someone who learns to wield her voice against overwhelming added to the overall depth of the story.
I listened to the audiobook version and narrator, Emma Newman is outstanding.
I would listen to anything she narrates. Her performance accurately portrayed Amri's vulnerability and strength that drew me in from page 1.
The pacing felt natural, her tone captured the tension of the wastelands and the arrogance of the returning “gods,” and I found myself completely immersed in this world thanks to the writing and narration. They fit hand and hand so beautifully, Emma was the perfect choice.
The Hungry Gods is another brilliant blend of sci-fi and myth from Tchaikovsky, imaginative, darkly funny, & layered with meaning.
5 stars hands down.
"It isn't enough to fear- Fear on its own did not save you, because the things that you should fear could strike you down anyway, nobody has legs fast enough to outrun the end of the world. And so maybe being curious about the strange was better, because then you could understand it, predict it, fight it."
Thanks so much to RB Media and & Galley for this advance audiobook.
August 7, 2025
As a first time Tchaikovsky reader, I understand the hype. This book was so short yet contained so much world building and character growth that I would have been down for so much more.
August 15, 2025
The world is in ruins and poisonous. People are old at 30. There is little drinking water, wells are mostly empty. And the drinkable water they can find will eventually kill them.
Amri belongs to the tribe of Rabbit. If you want to survive, you run. There are also Seagull fighters, Pigeon traders, Cockroach scavengers and Rats.
Something strikes from the sky, her village is destroyed and she meets a god. His name is Guy Vesten, he wears a suit with a helmet and he has returned from space. The „worthy“ had left, because the Earth was dying. Now he has returned.
Oh my, does Guy‘s voice and tone remind me of Kern… Ok, yes, the same audiobook narrator. Guy seems to be a bit of a fallen angel, because the other three big scientists cast him out.
We go on a journey. Amri discovering herself. The other gods showing up. Conflict.
It did not work for me as a audiobook. Maybe I would have liked it more in print. As it was, I never connected with Amri or any of the other characters. The story ambled along without ever really raising my interest.
The ending was nice, I give you that…
Meh. 🐇🐇🐇
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher or author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
Amri belongs to the tribe of Rabbit. If you want to survive, you run. There are also Seagull fighters, Pigeon traders, Cockroach scavengers and Rats.
Something strikes from the sky, her village is destroyed and she meets a god. His name is Guy Vesten, he wears a suit with a helmet and he has returned from space. The „worthy“ had left, because the Earth was dying. Now he has returned.
Oh my, does Guy‘s voice and tone remind me of Kern… Ok, yes, the same audiobook narrator. Guy seems to be a bit of a fallen angel, because the other three big scientists cast him out.
We go on a journey. Amri discovering herself. The other gods showing up. Conflict.
It did not work for me as a audiobook. Maybe I would have liked it more in print. As it was, I never connected with Amri or any of the other characters. The story ambled along without ever really raising my interest.
The ending was nice, I give you that…
Meh. 🐇🐇🐇
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher or author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
August 12, 2025
Great story that made me discover (late I admit) a great science fiction writer whom I had always feared because each of his books exceeded 500 pages. Now, after this novella, I feel ready for the big leap.
Gran bella storia che mi ha fatto scoprire (tardi lo ammetto) un grande scrittore di fantascienza che avevo sempre temuto perché ogni suo libro superava le 500 pagine. Ora, dopo questa novella, mi sento pronta al grande salto.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Gran bella storia che mi ha fatto scoprire (tardi lo ammetto) un grande scrittore di fantascienza che avevo sempre temuto perché ogni suo libro superava le 500 pagine. Ora, dopo questa novella, mi sento pronta al grande salto.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
August 21, 2025
Reality's Extreme Surpasses The Art
This novella is part of Tchaikovsky's new Terrible Worlds series on "Innovation". It's meant to be a commentary on unchecked innovations "turning on its masters". While this theme deserves all the exploration, especially as the human timeline enters a more technological era, I didn't find food for thought in this piece and was left voracious as ever. The concepts that were reached for were always at arm's length with no new ground offered, and in the broader scope of false gods and their usurpation of the every-person, I find that life has surpassed art here. Sadly, we live in a reality that tells us more and to a further extreme than what the "art" as represented by this book has explored. What does that tell us about our world? Likely nothing good. While the writing was well-worked, the whole point of it never formed a true purpose. It's like there was a parable in there somewhere, but it could not be found, or at least one interesting enough to appreciate. The theme of the novella reminds me of N.K. Jemisin's piece titled "Emergency Skin". In comparison, that story broke more ground by allowing us to see how wonderful society became once the "founders" (or in the parlance of Tchaikovsky, the "hungry gods") left Earth and thus allowed society to actually flourish! To have a "superior" god come back and be confronted with such a flourishing society is a story worth reading.
I still seek out all the other Tchaikovsky novellas, hoping to find the magic that I discovered in his Expert Systems duology.
Rating: 2/5
This novella is part of Tchaikovsky's new Terrible Worlds series on "Innovation". It's meant to be a commentary on unchecked innovations "turning on its masters". While this theme deserves all the exploration, especially as the human timeline enters a more technological era, I didn't find food for thought in this piece and was left voracious as ever. The concepts that were reached for were always at arm's length with no new ground offered, and in the broader scope of false gods and their usurpation of the every-person, I find that life has surpassed art here. Sadly, we live in a reality that tells us more and to a further extreme than what the "art" as represented by this book has explored. What does that tell us about our world? Likely nothing good. While the writing was well-worked, the whole point of it never formed a true purpose. It's like there was a parable in there somewhere, but it could not be found, or at least one interesting enough to appreciate. The theme of the novella reminds me of N.K. Jemisin's piece titled "Emergency Skin". In comparison, that story broke more ground by allowing us to see how wonderful society became once the "founders" (or in the parlance of Tchaikovsky, the "hungry gods") left Earth and thus allowed society to actually flourish! To have a "superior" god come back and be confronted with such a flourishing society is a story worth reading.
I still seek out all the other Tchaikovsky novellas, hoping to find the magic that I discovered in his Expert Systems duology.
Rating: 2/5
September 27, 2025
This was a decently engaging novella but one that didn't really wow me or offer any surprises at this point in my Tchaikovsky reading life. Though I'll take that over feeling like I'm wasting my time as with his previous novella Saturation Point, I fear I may have to just accept I'm fatigued on Adrian's sci-fi standalones. He has so much fantasy I still have left to explore beyond Shadows of the Apt, so that's where I'll be headed next to try to fall back in love with one of my favorite authors.
October 7, 2025
Reminded me of Ogres, which is always a great thing.
August 14, 2025
Fans of Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time series will enjoy this novella that explores a lot of the same themes of humanity, mortality, and technology. As in his other books, his zoological passions are evident, which I always appreciate.
Small tribes of survivors live on a crumbling, barren Earth: cautious Rabbits, scrappy Seagulls, and the like. The novella follows Amri, a lonely, timid Rabbit who has never quite found a place among her people, and whose naive perspective serves as one of the main narrative strategies to keep readers guessing.
When the gods return to Earth, bringing havoc and destruction in their wake, Amri finds herself at the right hand of one of them, a god named Guy, and she is faced with finally deciding her place in the world—and what kind of world it will be.
Enjoyed the audiobook immensely—this is a short, punchy novella that is as thought-provoking and philosophical as Tchaikovsky’s longer series.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and Solaris for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Small tribes of survivors live on a crumbling, barren Earth: cautious Rabbits, scrappy Seagulls, and the like. The novella follows Amri, a lonely, timid Rabbit who has never quite found a place among her people, and whose naive perspective serves as one of the main narrative strategies to keep readers guessing.
When the gods return to Earth, bringing havoc and destruction in their wake, Amri finds herself at the right hand of one of them, a god named Guy, and she is faced with finally deciding her place in the world—and what kind of world it will be.
Enjoyed the audiobook immensely—this is a short, punchy novella that is as thought-provoking and philosophical as Tchaikovsky’s longer series.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and Solaris for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2025
3.5⭐
It was an interesting story. I enjoyed the concept of the four leading intelligence and inventors of the old world came back to be seen as gods by the old earth inhabitants they had left. It was interesting to see them fight themselves to rule over the world and the perspective of the inhabitants having to follow these gods.
There were a few things I found lacking in the story. I never understood the meaning behind the different villages and groups of humans that inhabited the earth after its fall. There was rabbit, seagull, crab and cockroach etc. What I really wanted to know is what differentiates them from each other, was it just their philosophy, who they worshipped? Or was there something that physically differentiated them from each other because the rabbit seemed to parkour everywhere and I wonder if it was some genetic modification?
So that would have been nice to understand.
One other thing was the fact that technology seemed to still run in that world when everything seems to have fallen primitive. So how did they even get any electricity to work their smartphones/tablet. Seemed that only one person had it. It was pointed out once, and being amazed that someone knew to read and wondered how books survived. But I'm more curious as to how tech still survived and working without talking about what energy it used to continue running. And like wifi equivalent in that world.
Either way still enjoyed it, but not my favorite. It was my first venture into his work, I hope I will enjoy his other works more. There were a few that was intriguing to me.
It was an interesting story. I enjoyed the concept of the four leading intelligence and inventors of the old world came back to be seen as gods by the old earth inhabitants they had left. It was interesting to see them fight themselves to rule over the world and the perspective of the inhabitants having to follow these gods.
There were a few things I found lacking in the story. I never understood the meaning behind the different villages and groups of humans that inhabited the earth after its fall. There was rabbit, seagull, crab and cockroach etc. What I really wanted to know is what differentiates them from each other, was it just their philosophy, who they worshipped? Or was there something that physically differentiated them from each other because the rabbit seemed to parkour everywhere and I wonder if it was some genetic modification?
So that would have been nice to understand.
One other thing was the fact that technology seemed to still run in that world when everything seems to have fallen primitive. So how did they even get any electricity to work their smartphones/tablet. Seemed that only one person had it. It was pointed out once, and being amazed that someone knew to read and wondered how books survived. But I'm more curious as to how tech still survived and working without talking about what energy it used to continue running. And like wifi equivalent in that world.
Either way still enjoyed it, but not my favorite. It was my first venture into his work, I hope I will enjoy his other works more. There were a few that was intriguing to me.
August 4, 2025
Thank you Adrian Tchaikovsky, Tantor Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!
Hungry Gods is a novella tells the story of a world ravaged by time and of the people that were left behind and what will happen to those people now that four different Gods “crash land” in their world, hoping to remake that land into their own image.
My problem with the novella was the ending. Even though it made sense given everything that had happened, I still disliked it. It was too obvious for me.
Hungry Gods is a novella tells the story of a world ravaged by time and of the people that were left behind and what will happen to those people now that four different Gods “crash land” in their world, hoping to remake that land into their own image.
My problem with the novella was the ending. Even though it made sense given everything that had happened, I still disliked it. It was too obvious for me.
September 13, 2025
This short novel is less ambitious than most of Tchaikovsky's work, but is perhaps a good entry point for those put off by his Big Fat Books.
It's a first contact story, albeit the contact is between humans who are the surviving remnants of humanity on Earth, and the technologically advanced humans who went to space and are returning now after a great length of time.
The returning humans are startled to find there are still human cultures around. They thought they were going to remake a damaged Earth in their image, although different people have different ideas about whose image should prevail.
The Earthly humans have formed into animal-based clans, and our protagonist is Amri, a member of the Rabbit clan. One of the returning humans proclaims himself and his fellows Gods. (The author cleverly plays on Clarke's Third Law). This God takes a liking to Amri and finds her useful in working with the other clans to achieve his vision as opposed to those of his companions, who frankly tried to kill him.
First contact stories often revolve around the idea that those contacted are not as backwards as imagined. Amri is a Rabbit, and the Rabbit method is to see others as threats and run as fast as they can. Amri comes to realize that while she sees a threat, there is a better option than running this time. She finds a new way to exist, thanks to the new God (who may not thank her).
It's a first contact story, albeit the contact is between humans who are the surviving remnants of humanity on Earth, and the technologically advanced humans who went to space and are returning now after a great length of time.
The returning humans are startled to find there are still human cultures around. They thought they were going to remake a damaged Earth in their image, although different people have different ideas about whose image should prevail.
The Earthly humans have formed into animal-based clans, and our protagonist is Amri, a member of the Rabbit clan. One of the returning humans proclaims himself and his fellows Gods. (The author cleverly plays on Clarke's Third Law). This God takes a liking to Amri and finds her useful in working with the other clans to achieve his vision as opposed to those of his companions, who frankly tried to kill him.
First contact stories often revolve around the idea that those contacted are not as backwards as imagined. Amri is a Rabbit, and the Rabbit method is to see others as threats and run as fast as they can. Amri comes to realize that while she sees a threat, there is a better option than running this time. She finds a new way to exist, thanks to the new God (who may not thank her).
August 10, 2025
As usual Adrian Tchaikovsky has quite interesting sci-fi premise that lends itself well to clever social commentary. Far future dying earth is tribal once again as the resources on earth are scarce and civilisation is in ashes. At this time four 'gods' or rather advanced humans who left earth centuries ago to build an utopia decide to come back to earth. However, they each have their own vision on how earth should be rebuild or reused (all very destructive) and so they end up in a fight to defend their methods. Amri of the Rabbits becomes entangled with one of the 'gods' in order to survive and ends up in the middle of life changing events.
This provide ample of commentary about ways humans tend to think of themselves as all capable gods. But in the end humanity is, thankfully, very restrictive.
Overall 3.5/5
Audiobook (narrated by Emma Newman) 3.75/5
The copy of the audiobook to review was provided for free on NetGalley.
This provide ample of commentary about ways humans tend to think of themselves as all capable gods. But in the end humanity is, thankfully, very restrictive.
Overall 3.5/5
Audiobook (narrated by Emma Newman) 3.75/5
The copy of the audiobook to review was provided for free on NetGalley.
August 17, 2025
At this point, if Adrian Tchaikovsky writes it, I’ll read it. This was another imaginative story full of humor and pathos. It tackles Big Ideas without being too preachy. It is writing with a point but the point doesn’t get in the way of the story. If you read speculative fiction to be emotionally entertained AND intellectually stretched, this is what you are looking for. Emma Newman’s sensitive reading enhances the story’s emotional heft. Thank you to the author, narrator, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for the audioARC.
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