A masterpiece of epic science fiction

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars blew me away. I would give it six stars if I could. This is the first book I have read by Christopher Paolini. The protagonist is Kira Navarez, a xenobiologist who is just wrapping up an assignment surveying a planet for colonization, when she discovers an alien artefact. An alien being binds with her and that is when she is thrust into tragedy, conflict and adventure. The pacing is hold-on-to-your-seat fast, but still allows for skillful world building and well-developed characters. Few people can write an 825 page novel; even fewer can write one that the reader can't put down. I love the science, technology and aliens in this future world. It is obvious that immense research and imagination went into this book and that it must have taken years to write. Spectacular, beautiful, stunning, intense and thought-provoking. Read it.