Just finished my first book of the year, Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I think he’s now my favorite author, at least currently writing. He’s so good at so many things, from hard SF to fantasy. He’s created some really interesting worlds, and populated them with interesting characters.

So far, I’ve read these books of his (order I read them, not order published):

  • Children of Time
  • Children of Ruin
  • Children of Memory
  • Made Things
  • Walking to Aldebaran
  • Service Model
  • Shroud
  • City of Last Chances
  • Alien Clay

Each of these is a gem. The children of time series has to be an all-time great SF trilogy. If you want my little paragraph of spoiler-free notes on why of them, let me know.

  • vgnmnky@lemmy.world
    4·
    4 days ago

    Absolutely loved Children of Time, really liked Children of Ruin, was very disappointed with Children of Memory. And that carried into Alien Clay, which was a real slog for me to get through, and burnt through the considerable credit he had in the bank from Children of Time. It started off ok. Reminded me of something else I read a long time ago, but I can’t pin it down. I might go back to something before Children of Time when I have the energy to give him another chance, but I have a decent reading pile waiting for me for now.

    • AFK BRB Chocolate (CA version)@lemmy.caOP
      3·
      4 days ago

      I liked Alien Clay pretty well. Here’s what I wrote in my notes about Children of Memory:

      • Third in the series that starts with Children of Time. Not a cookie cutter sequel, and a somewhat challenging book. The first two in the series alternate between two linear stories set a long time apart. This one isn’t told in a linear way. Many of the characters from the prior book go to one of the planets listed as a terraforming project of the original earth civilization and find a struggling town of people. I really like how Tchaikovsky wrestles with what the right thing to do is in complex situations. Good series all around.

      I thought it was good, and he did something unusual in the storytelling, but it was tougher.

      Have you read Service Model? That one is fun. Here’s are my notes:

      • Charles, a high-end robot valet, finds that he has murdered his master, though he doesn’t know why. To find the answer, he heads to Diagnostics, leaving the grounds for the first time. He finds civilization has collapsed, with robots like himself at various levels of functionality. He also meets The Wonk, who believes Charles has become sentient. This book is a treasure. Fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams will find something to love here.