Science fiction · Space opera
A Fire Upon the Deep
Humans awaken an ancient threat that spreads across a galaxy where the laws of thought vary by region. A group of survivors flees to a medieval world of pack-minded creatures while a fleet chases them.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1992
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 613
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in Zones of Thought
Read this if you want big-idea space opera with inventive alien minds.
Skip this if you prefer realistic near-future settings and quiet character studies.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about A Fire Upon the Deep
- What is A Fire Upon the Deep about?
- Humans awaken an ancient threat that spreads across a galaxy where the laws of thought vary by region. A group of survivors flees to a medieval world of pack-minded creatures while a fleet chases them.
- Who should read A Fire Upon the Deep?
- Read it if you want big-idea space opera with inventive alien minds. Skip it if you prefer realistic near-future settings and quiet character studies.
- How long and how fast is A Fire Upon the Deep?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 613 pages, first published in 1992.
- Does A Fire Upon the Deep have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence.
- Can I borrow A Fire Upon the Deep for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Fire Upon the Deep; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
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| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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