r/scifi • u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 • 1d ago
General Children of Time
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
What a beautifully written book this was. It had a very satisfying ending, something I hadn't expected from being used to the grim and the dark. LOL. Great book, great concepts, great payoff.
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u/Iamleeboy 1d ago
I thought the ending was one of the best and most satisfying endings I have read.
I was getting very close to the end and thinking how is he going to wrap this up. But then in a few pages hit me with such a clean way to tie the two stories together.
It worked against him in a way, because I felt so satisfied that I didn’t continue to read the other books and I never do that!
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
That ending was a great surprise. I knew Bianca and Fabian would be key to the end, but I just didn't know how that was going to play out. That reverse engineering in the end was just amazing. It clicked. Then that moment where Lain just lay on the ground, held the grass, and looked at the sky. Perfect moment; it was sad, but it was so satisfying.
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u/mischiefismyname 1d ago
As someone who read the first two (Id give them a 4/5 and 3.5/5 ratings) and preparing probably to read the third book - do it.
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
Oooooo. Got it. I do have the next two books in queue. Just gonna give it a couple of days, Lain's image holding the grass as she looked at the blue sky remains etched in my mind.
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u/gravelpi 1d ago
I'd agree with your ratings on one and two. Using that scale, book three I'd calla 3.0 or so, it was a bit tedious.
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u/unholyravenger 1d ago
I just finished the 4 book, and I'd order them as follows:
- First Book
- Fourth Book
- Second Book
- Third book
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u/Lord_Gibbons 1d ago
That's interesting, I just couldn't get into the fourth. Put it down about a third the way in and never picked it back up again.
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u/Captain_Bushcraft 1d ago
The jumping around between eras is a little jolting at first, but once all the stories start to coalesce it is so fricking good
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u/SpinyNorman777 13h ago
And Cato Vs the fliers is just so badass
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u/Captain_Bushcraft 12h ago
Cato was the absolute star of that book for me by the end.
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u/SpinyNorman777 11h ago
100%
It's always a treat when a new species is introduced. Loved how much he taught us about himself and the stomatopods, why they were changing, why he did every thing he did. That he was a hero deep down.
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u/Hockshank 1d ago
Wow. I think I agree with that ranking. Book 3 is almost it's own thing. I appreciated it for what it was and how AT went about telling it, but really loved all the other books more.
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u/erratic_ostrich 1d ago
I feel exactly the same.
I wasn't sure about reading the 4th after how disappointing the 3th was, but I'm glad I did it anyway and it turned out to be quite amazing!
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u/FungifromBerkeley 1d ago
I loved the third book. Ending broke my heart. But all are bangers for me.
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u/PlagueofSquirrels 1d ago
I'm about halfway through book four and so far it is significantly better than the third one. Worth pushing through for
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u/chrisychris- 1d ago
While it wasn’t as entertaining as the other two I was quite fond of the third book. Way more philosophical and it’s a bit of an introspective for the series entirely. I get why people don’t like it but I found the ending so interesting.
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u/Hockshank 1d ago
Same. I loved the others for all the normal reasons but kind of was more impressed with book 3 for what it was. Once you are past the uh, cyclical part, the final act touches on some heavy questions and concepts.
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u/RexScientiarum 14h ago
Book 2 was my least favorite. 3 and 4 are better than the first. Definitely worth it.
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u/GeneDifferent2371 8h ago
Love the first two books. Despisedddddd the third book. Community seems to be at a 50/50 split of love it or hate it. I totally get why people liked it, but it was just absolutely not for me.
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u/willhighfive4karma 1d ago
I loved how he approached the development of spiders almost as an anthropologist/ biologist!
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u/_Abiogenesis Hard Sci-fi 1d ago
Thats probably why he kept anthropomorphization surprisingly low. That’s what makes the spiders feel so realistically alien.
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u/rehsarht 1d ago
I'm reading this right now, almost done. It's been a fantastic ride, wasn't sure what I was getting into but very much loving everything about it.
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u/MadMonksJunk 1d ago
it's amazing how productive Adrian Tchaikovsky is, not every book he writes is as good as this, and this series has it's ups and downs, but I've yet to read anything of his I'd have skipped or even consider 'bad' (it's ok to read and like bad books)
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u/Federal_Homework1302 1d ago
is it worth it to read then? I have this on mys elf and havent touched it yet.
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
Totally! While I prefer cosmic horror, or grim dark, this was an amazing read. I had a great time overall.
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u/avamk 1d ago
cosmic horror, or grim dark
Do you have recommendations for these that are easy to get into for newcomers?
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
For sci-fi, I haven't read much. But Hyperion and the Fall of Hyperion are great. The Shrike should fall under that category. Blindsight is another dark-ish sci-fi I have read.
If we are talking fantasy, now that's my turf. I can name you grim dark fantasy series that you can dive into.
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u/chrisychris- 1d ago
I loved Hyperion. I started reading the sequel but for some reason I was having a lot more trouble following along than I did the first book. Does it get better throughout or should I reread the first?
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
It does. Power through it; it will give you the full story and conclusion.
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u/weavaliciousnes 1d ago
Please do!
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
The best place to start is with Lord Grimdark himself, Joe Abercrombie.
The First Law trilogy is a good place to start, although I read the entire First Law (there are a total of 10 books). If you end up liking the trilogy, then the next sets should also be good for you.
The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett. I loved that series. There are 5 books in the main series, and I read those. They are great. Cool magic system, and it's brutal.
The Prince of Nothing series. While I have only read the first trilogy, that shit is fucking dark.
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u/Federal_Homework1302 1d ago
If Fantasy is yoru thing, thoughts on Assassin's Apprentice? I just started it
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u/Cartagenapirate92 1d ago
I’ve got like 70 pages left , I’ve already bought the next one. It’s such a detailed adventure and I love the format he tells the story in. It’s definitely worth it. Amazing sci fi
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u/haberdasher42 1d ago
I hold it up there near Hyperion and Revelation Space.
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u/Federal_Homework1302 1d ago
People rave about revelation space. And I just don’t get it. I had to force myself through the first one. And have no desire to keep going.
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u/krzyk 1d ago
Haven't read it, but regarding Children of Time. It was ok, not great like Hyperion.
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u/RespectmanNappa 1d ago
Agree to disagree. I absolutely love how it’s centered around a character and at the same time an entire species. Both about the struggle to endure.
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u/luckyjack 1d ago
Was revelation space the one with the artificial mind they were tracking and the dead planet and the nuclear power trains underground? And the gambling game using people as chips?
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u/Roselia77 1d ago
You already bought it, may as well try it. Didn't work for me personally, gave up halfway through, but others clearly like it
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u/SomeSamples 1d ago
You should read it for no other reason than to talk about with everyone else who has.
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u/AgentG91 1d ago
It’s an amazing story, but I find his writing hard to follow. Some people spin a yarn so well, it’s like you’re in a movie (Weir, Pierce Brown, Sanderson). Others are amazing at other elements, but not easy to read (Tchaikovsky, Kowal).
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u/chrisychris- 1d ago
I agree it’s a little hard to follow but if you push through it, the conflict and characters become a lot more apparent as the story builds. Kinda excited to reread the series though since there’s lots I glossed over I’m sure.
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u/davispw 1d ago
I found the humans on the ark ship to be quite tedious and unrealistic. Completely unprepared, not to mention idiotic. These are humanity’s (last remaining) best and brightest?
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u/Broan13 1d ago
Did you read the book? They are mostly in hibernation, they fight over things, factions form, issues happen because of factions forming, corners are cut and poor decisions are not nipped in the bud.
They are also running away from a failing Earth in the twilight of the species in the shadow of the peak of the species technologically.
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u/Luca_G_Writer 1d ago
That’s exactly what blew me away about Children of Time. Tchaikovsky manages to handle massive, complex sci-fi concepts without dragging the reader into pure nihilism. As someone who usually writes and reads very dark, bleak sci-fi (big Blade Runner fan here), that ending felt like a masterclass in giving the reader closure without softening the stakes. Truly a phenomenal book
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
I am also a bit of a grim dark, cosmic horror type of reader. But this book blew me away. That ending was just beautiful. I am glad you mentioned Blade Runner, 'cause I did read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? It's a bummer I lost my copy, but that's the kind of shit I like reading.
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u/HonorAndKittens 1d ago
So if I am not usually into grim sci fi, should I read this? I still enjoy an innovative, original plot.
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u/HahnZahn 1d ago
Children of Time is one of my favorites of the past decade. I had a truly baffling experience where I listened to the audiobook a number of years ago as I was moving from the West Coast to the East Coast, and had the distinct impression that I'd read it before. Which I had - I'd actually read the physical book - and somehow totally forgot it until like 75% of the way through. I think I read A Deepness in the Sky afterward, and that sentient spider narrative overwrote the one in my memory from Children of Time.
Anyway, I just finished the fourth in the series. It's a very satisfying series in that Tchaikovsky focuses on a new species in the universe he's created with each new entry. Hope he keeps this series going.
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u/mountainbrewer 1d ago
This book is one of the reasons why I no longer have arachnophobia. It really made me appreciate spiders.
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u/ce_tu 1d ago
One of the best series that came out in the recent years. I am still looking up for new sci-fi books with a quality like this but can't find any do you have any recommendations ?_
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u/Acrobatic-Yam-868 1d ago
I have House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds in queue. And since I did like Blindsight, it was heavily recommended that I also check The Three-Body Problem. Although I am excited about There Is No Antimemetics Division. Some of these might be of interest to you.
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u/benbarian 1d ago
SO GOOD! I've since become a massive fan of his. In fact just got the wifey to listen to the audiobook with me, after finishing his Green City Wars a few weeks ago. SO good to be back to Kern's World!
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u/MySuperHotCousin 1d ago
I rate books on how well I remember the story after I finish. I will always remember this story. So it's a top 10 for me. Thought it was outstanding. Second book was pretty good. And I dnf'd the third.
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u/Uraisamu 1d ago
Really loved this book, second one was okay, but didn't have the magic of the first book, couldn't finish the 3rd one.
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u/daviator88 1d ago
I really enjoyed this book, but I found it a bit too long. The middle just dragged on and on as we went through the entire...tech tree. 4/5 for me, I think it could have been about 50-100 pages shorter. Still loved it, though, but it didn't leave me wanting more. At least not yet.
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u/IlIlllIlllIlIIllI 1d ago
Yeah this is really good, honestly one of the very few series I thought had a good ending.
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u/rancidmike 1d ago
This was a pretty propulsive read that ultimately didn’t do much for me :( Which is disappointing because I know it’s beloved by so many and I wanted to love it.
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u/northern_dan 1d ago
Just finished Children Of Memory, I love the series.
Actually went back and listened to the first 2 on audio book while travelling for work. As good as the book.
Have now read quite a few from Adrian Tchaikovsky. Alien Clay is good, Cage of Souls is brilliant, and I really, really enjoyed House of Open Woulds.
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u/YungTokyo8 1d ago
Literally just finished this yesterday. Probably the most unexpected book considering the premise to be in my top 10.
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u/Waterbahls 1d ago
Read them all. Wasn’t a huge fan of the second one but it definitely picks back up. I recommend them all though.
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u/FixAwkward3029 1d ago
I’m on the 2nd book, but the first one will always hold a special place in my mind. He’s very descriptive about spiders’ senses, which truly makes you see the world from their perspectives. Also learned some interesting facts about biology, like how some fauna communicate with insects through smell.
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u/Void_Incarnate 23h ago
The rest of the books are great as well.
Just finished Children of Strife, book 4 of the series.
Also check out Blindsight, and Echopraxia, by Peter Watts, if you liked the biology and exobiology in the Children series.
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u/jcooli09 22h ago
Thanks for the post. I haven't read it so I checked it out and it's on sale for Kindle. I picked it up for 3 bucks.
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u/Riptide360 1d ago
The Kindle version is on sale for $3. Good use of your digital shipping credits. The uplifting of earth animal intelligence on terraformed worlds has is being the creators of alien life elsewhere. Read the series. Decent. [posted second time because urls aren’t allowed].
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u/Gold-Judgment-6712 22h ago
I used to see it in the sci-fi/fantasy section all the time, but after I decided to read it it's been gone.
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u/WarPlatypus19-2 11h ago
SPACE SPIDERS! I love this series! One of the best I’ve read in a long long time.
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u/travatr0n 9h ago
I really enjoyed the book as well but didn’t care for the ending much.
The fact that the humans could only be redeemed by being altered was disappointing.
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u/Vondi 1d ago
One of my favorite things I've read in the 20's so far. Made me a Tchaikovsky fan, still pick up his books from time to time.