A Fire Upon the DeepA Fire Upon the Deep
Score Modern
What it's about
The galaxy is divided into zones where the laws of physics allow different levels of intelligence and technology. When human researchers on the galaxy's edge wake an ancient evil, a ship full of children escapes and crash-lands on a primitive world of the Tines, dog-like creatures whose minds exist only as packs. A rescue mission races across the galaxy toward them while the evil spreads behind it.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo Award and is one of the great space operas. Vinge packs it with big ideas, and the Tines, each one a single personality spread across four to eight bodies, are among the most original aliens in science fiction.
You'll love it if you liked
Hyperion
Dune
The Left Hand of DarknessGood to know
It's long and takes a while to explain its universe, but the payoff is huge. It stands alone; the later books in the series are optional.
By the numbers
- Readers68 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics67 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller34 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.
Where it ranks
- #46 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #61 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #246 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #492 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic
More by Vernor Vinge
A Deepness in the Sky
The Peace War
Rainbows EndIf you like this, read next
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The Fifth Season
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Gideon the Ninth
Red Rising
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Quick answers
Is A Fire Upon the Deep worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo Award and is one of the great space operas. It ranks #492 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 78.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is A Fire Upon the Deep about?
The galaxy is divided into zones where the laws of physics allow different levels of intelligence and technology. When human researchers on the galaxy's edge wake an ancient evil, a ship full of children escapes and crash-lands on a primitive world of the Tines, dog-like creatures whose minds exist only as packs. A rescue mission races across the galaxy toward them while the evil spreads behind it.
How long does it take to read A Fire Upon the Deep?
About 15 hours (613 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has A Fire Upon the Deep won?
Hugo Award winner (1993).
What should I read after A Fire Upon the Deep?
If you liked it, try Hyperion by Dan Simmons, Dune by Frank Herbert or The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.