Symbol of Time by John Turnbull is a science fiction set at the time when earth is dying and the inhabitants need to find other planet for the civilisation to restart.
Sounds easy..?? Let’s see..
“The final inhabitants of the dying planet clung tenuously to the last
resources of their world. The same wind that once smelled of salt now abraded the surface, hastening the destruction. What little breathable air remained was thin and acrid, tasting of rust and ash.”
Book Review: Symbol of Time
What happens when your planet is dying, your options are terrible, and the only “backup plan” is a world full of things that can absolutely eat you? Welcome to A Symbol of Time.
This novel starts with a civilisation that is truly messed up. Oceans are literally gone, air …wait I’m choking, and just one question ..all around-What’s next?
The answer, is space travel. But don’t expect heroic speeches. This book shows more of the uncomfortable side—guilt, fear and the uneasiness of moving to a new planet.
What makes the story feel fresh is its attitude. Colonisation isn’t a victory, it’s an headache. The leaders are as in real world….simply, not visionary.
The science and world-building are detailed without turning into a lecture. You feel the long journeys and cramped ships.
Is it fast-paced? Not really. Is it thoughtful? Yes. This is sci-fi that trusts you to sit with discomfort—and maybe laugh nervously at how familiar it all feels.
“Survival requires obedience above all else.”
Storyline: So the book starts with a big, uncomfortable question, Earth is toast. Water, Air? Future? Not looking great. Finally Elthyris, ask the million dollar question, “We either leave now or die at home.”?
Next we move to the construction of two massive ark ships, Ark Dawn and Ark Hope, because being hopeful survives even when planets don’t. Only a few people will get out of this world. Sad;(
Once in space, the problem are not solved. Scientists drop the real bombshell: the place they are going to is not heaven. It’s hot, heavy, hostile, and full of creatures that obv. did not like visitors. Understandably, panic sets in &Venryn finally asks: Why are we flying straight into a nightmare? Is he wrong? Not really. Is he helpful? Also not really.
Tensions boil over into near-mutiny, and Elthyris has to choose between being liked and being obeyed. Spoiler: she chooses obedience.
Ark Hope got some warnings, ignores it and pushes its systems too far, explodes. Just—gone. In just one moment, it’s all space dust. Suddenly, Ark Dawn isn’t one of two anymore. It’s all of it.
From there, life gets quiet, and heavy. Survival becomes controlled. Frozen embryos and seed vaults are the future. Really..? And when Ark Dawn finally reaches the Third World, no one cheers. They don’t land. They hesitate. Because the real question isn’t Can we survive here?
And that uneasy pause? That’s where the book leaves you.
Also Read: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
| Genre | Science Fiction |
| Number of Pages | 234 pages |
| My Rating | 4.0⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Release Date | November 12, 2025 |
What I Loved
A Symbol of Time is the kind of sci-fi that doesn’t have much actions and aliens but it quietly sinks in. It’s thoughtful, a little heavy, and also uncomfortable, all in all hard to forget.
It’s all about human behaviour and survival at the hardest moment of the life.
Quotes:
“The face of memory will outlast its makers.”
Final Verdict?
Basically, if you like science fiction stories and want a world ending story and want to be judgmental about humanity… this one’s for you.
Who should read it:
- If you like idea based sci-fi rather than just actions.
- If you are interested in colonisation stories with consequences.
- Sci-fi readers who enjoyed books like Children of Time or Aurora.
- If you like survival story or end of the world stories.
Books like Symbol of Time by John Turnbull:
- Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
- Solaris by Stanisław Lem
