Fractals

Fractals are a recurring motif in To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, and Paolini uses them to create a world of infinite possibilities. This new universe, which he appropriately names the Fractalverse, is full of stories, human and alien life, and hope. The motif is used in a variety of ways throughout the novel, but fractals act as a pattern that shows purpose and reason in unfamiliar situations, and moreover, are used to convey beauty and complexity. Moreover, Paolini uses fractals to indicate works of the Vanished- almost as a mark for which they become known.

When Kira, the Wallfish crew, and the marines from the Darmstadt arrived on Nidus, Kira was having a difficult time determining where the Staff of Blue was stored since that much had not been clear from the vision from the Soft Blade. After walking to no avail, Kira decided...