A Deepness in the Sky
Score Modern
What it's about
After thousands of years of searching, humans are about to make first contact with an alien race on a planet whose strange star switches off for centuries at a time. Two human groups wait at its doorstep for the star to relight: the Qeng Ho, free traders, and the Emergents, a ruthless society that enslaves minds with technology. Whoever opens trade with the aliens will grow rich, but first comes betrayal.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo Award and was a Nebula Award finalist. It's one of the great space operas, with an astonishing alien civilization and big ideas about freedom and control.
You'll love it if you liked
A Fire Upon the Deep, Hyperion or The Three-Body Problem
Good to know
It's long and slow to build, but the payoff is huge. It's a loose prequel to A Fire Upon the Deep, and either can be read first.
Quick answers
Is A Deepness in the Sky worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo Award and was a Nebula Award finalist. It ranks #194 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 83.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is A Deepness in the Sky about?
After thousands of years of searching, humans are about to make first contact with an alien race on a planet whose strange star switches off for centuries at a time. Two human groups wait at its doorstep for the star to relight: the Qeng Ho, free traders, and the Emergents, a ruthless society that enslaves minds with technology. Whoever opens trade with the aliens will grow rich, but first comes betrayal.
How long does it take to read A Deepness in the Sky?
About 19 hours (775 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has A Deepness in the Sky won?
Hugo Award winner (2000).
What should I read after A Deepness in the Sky?
If you liked it, try A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Hyperion by Dan Simmons or The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu.
By the numbers
- Readers91 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics67 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller26 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Hugo Award winner (2000).
Where it ranks
- #19 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #26 of the 461 fantasy books we rank
- #99 of the 1,575 modern books we rank
- #194 of the 2,819 books we rank
Won
- Hugo Award winner (2000)
Shortlisted
- Nebula Award finalist (1999)
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic, Thought-provoking
More by Vernor Vinge
A Fire Upon the Deep
The Peace War
Rainbows End
