Devil's Rest Book Club

Finally! Hadrian Marlowe has met his first Cielcin in a most unlikely of places, a cell. In this episode Hadrian’s conflict with Switch continues through lack of communication. As this separation continues, Hadrian finds an opportunity to slip away, using his language skills to talk his way to where the Cielcin is being kept. He has his first conversation with one of the pale, and feels unsure that it is a monster, because he believes that it is afraid to die. While doing so, Hadrian is stunned and brought before the Count of Emesh, now with his identity fully revealed. Hadrian is now caught in a gilded cage, unsure of what the future holds for him.  

On today’s episode we discuss themes related to Hadrian’s anger being put onto others, being called out for your bad behavior by those that care about you, and the wonder associated with interacting with a Cielcin for the first time. Also meaningfully present in our discussion is Hadrian’s return for the desire to know more and understand the Cielcin, especially with his sense that it may not be a monster. 

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 41-43 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Victory! Hadrian finally finds home in an unlikely place, Colosso. Hadrian grows closer to his fellow myrmidons, gradually forming a reputation both with his band of brothers, but also individually through his amazing single combat record. As Hadrian’s reputation as being known as “a myrmidon named Had” to the people of Borosevo is fulfilled, he attempts to include more of his band of brothers in his dreams to escape the planet. Then the unexpected happens. There's a Cieclin in the Colloso prison and Hadrian reveals his palantine status to try and get a ship to get off world. This sparks a relational conflict with his new friend Switch which ends with their friendship on the line. How will Hadrian recover his friendship, and how will Hadrian respond to a Cielcin being at his fingertips? 

On today’s episode we discuss the sense of home Hadrian begins to feel and the reignition of not just his desire for his adventure, but his passion specifically for the Cielcin. We also discuss themes related to whether or not beauty is virtuous, nature versus nurture, and much much more. If you want to participate in this episode's discussion, leave a comment below to join the conversation!

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 37-40 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

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#SunEater #TheSunEater #EmpireOfSilence #HadrianMarlowe #DRBC #DevilsRestBookClub #SciFi #ScienceFantasy #SciFantasy

Colosso once again. Hadrian's in for a real fight this time! Melodrama, sword practice, anxiety and mutual respect. Hadrian definitely makes an impression on his fellow myrmidons this episode as we enter the arena for the first time!

On today's episode we discuss the truth about anxiety in life and death situations. We also discuss Hadrian's integration of his youthful idealism with the reality he has just lived with on the streets.

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 34-36 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

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#SunEater #TheSunEater #HadrianMarlowe #EmpireofSilence #SciFi #ScienceFantasy

XENOBITES! FINALLY!!! Hadrian has his first encounter with inhumanity and it doesn't go the way he expects! He also ends up burying his best friend/love and stabs a shop keeper before deciding to throw his life away in the ring! Yes, you read that right! This episode is the capstone to Hadrian's life on the street and ends it in tragic fashion!

On today's episode we meet the umandh with Hadrian, discuss the ethics of lying to someone who is dying to try and comfort them. We also hear the story of Kharn Sagara, the King with 10,000 eyes, another larger than life figure that Hadrian desires to be when he grows up! Most of all, we mourn Cat, our first casualty of Hadrian's story.

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 30-33 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

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On this bonus episode, we discuss our thoughts on Shadows Upon Time, the finale of the series. This discussion has a spoiler-free section at the beginning and a revised series pitch! Afterward, we dive deep into the plot, characters, philosophical elements and our feelings about how the series ends!

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Shadows Upon Time by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2025.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on November 18th, 202025.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

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It's a hard knock life for Hadrian and Cat! Begging outside of the Chantry's plaza, running from the prefects. But in this episode we focus more on some downtime that the two share! Dreams, wishes and stories are shared but then met with the harsh reality that they both face. We also finally get more context about this Simeon the Red guy we keep hearing about!

On today's episode we dive deep into these seemingly innocuous prophetic moments that Hadrian is being met with in his time on the streets of Borosevo. We revisit moments from early in the book that are now having their threads pulled. From what we can tell, it won't be good for the people caught in the crossfire!

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 27, 28 and 29 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

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In this bonus episode, we discuss our experience at the Shadows Upon Time release gala in Raleigh, NC! What an experience! We loved every second! All shout-outs and links below. Check these folks out!

Doomsong Saga Announcement by Christopher Ruocchio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhrZAfwmGf8

Books, Beverages & Besties:
https://www.youtube.com/@BooksBeveragesAndBesties

INDY Week article on the gala by Shelbi Polk: https://indyweek.com/culture/sun-eater-series-chrostopher-ruocchio/

Preacher Reads:
https://www.youtube.com/@PreacherReads

Chance Dillon:
https://www.youtube.com/@Chance.Dillon/

Tom Orange:
https://www.youtube.com/@TomOrange

Justin Grissom:

https://www.youtube.com/@Justin-Grissom

Talking Story:
https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story

2 To Ramble:
https://www.youtube.com/@2ToRamble

A whole new world! A new fantastic point of view! Hadrian is a free man! Homeless, aimless sure…but at least he is free!

On today's episode we discuss the disorientation Hadrian must be feeling, cyberpunk space zombies, and the horrors of plague. We discuss the narrative framing, how it keys us into mysteries that we may see later along with mysteries we will never get a true answer for. Hadrian begins his new life as a street rat!

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 17, 18 and 19 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

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Devil's Rest Book Club is a production of Disquiet Pods. This episode copyright 2025 Cameron Elston and Drew Welty.

Thanks for Joining us and Remember: Rage is Blindness.

All aboard! Eurynasir Express ready to take Hadrian to Teukros arriving approximately in...13 years?!?

On today's episode we leave Delos! The beginning of a new story arc is upon us! these chapters mark the close of their relationship. We discuss the cold vasts amount of space, inconsistent morality on Hadrian's part, and the horror of cryonic fugue!

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 20, 21 and 22 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

Find us on Youtube!

Contact us at [email protected].

Devil's Rest Book Club is a production of Disquiet Pods. This episode copyright 2025 Cameron Elston and Drew Welty.

Thanks for Joining us and Remember: Rage is Blindness.

Now that his mom has his back, there's no way anything could go wrong...right? Will Hadrian have a subtle exit and quietly disappear into the night? Unlikely.

On today's episode we continue to examine Hadrian's relationship and portrayal of Crispin as these chapters mark the close of their relationship. We discuss the narrative framing, how it helps us as readers feel the gravity of these moments as we get close to the end of the first arc of Empire of Silence!

Devil's Rest Book Club is Cameron Elston and Drew Welty. Today’s episode discussed Chapters 17, 18 and 19 of Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, copyright 2018.  Empire of Silence was originally published by DAW books on July 3rd, 2018.

Quality editing and original music by Cameron Elston.

Find us on Youtube!

Contact us at [email protected].

Devil's Rest Book Club is a production of Disquiet Pods. This episode copyright 2025 Cameron Elston and Drew Welty.

Thanks for Joining us and Remember: Rage is Blindness.