So… do you have arachnophobia? Wait wait wait… come back and listen, it’s not like you think. Really.

Are you into generation spanning epics? Interested in scientific pioneers full of hubris? Want to see multiple civilizations rise and fall, as alien and familiar at the same time? Want to see life from another set of eight eyes?

Children of Time is a sci-fi novel by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky is a zoologist, psichologist and writer. This will be important soon.

The premise is simple. What happens when we find someone with which we can’t talk? Can he bridge our differences or are we doomed to failure and mutual destruction?

— enough back cover copy —

I really loved this book. It’s a way out there first contact story, filled with conflict and a surprisingly warm and hopeful message. I’d love to talk about it, so It’s in my best interest for you to go, read it and come back here. If you have not done it already.

It reminded me of other first contact stories like Blindsight (another thread in the making) or the tree body series, but it’s so so so much… lesss… bleak? I really needed that.

PD: English is not my first language, I’m an spaniard, so be patient with me.

  • pwndave
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    610 months ago

    I really enjoyed this book! I also own the 2nd and 3rd but have yet to read the 3rd.

    • brandon
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      10 months ago

      There are sequels‽ I’ll have to grab them from the library.

  • Sibbo
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    610 months ago

    This book was truly an amazing read! I enjoyed the development of civilisation in different stages the most. It is really impressive that the author managed to combine that with consistent and interesting characters. To me this novel was truly one of a kind.

  • jeff
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    410 months ago

    This was a great book. Really enjoyed it. It was done very well.

  • Zitronenschnitte
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    410 months ago

    Thanks for the suggestions. Looks really interesting. Just put it on my to-read :)

  • brandon
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    410 months ago

    If you liked the multigenerational and first contact aspects of this one, maybe also check out Semiosis by Sue Burke.

  • AridHeights
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    310 months ago

    I absolutely loved this book! Currently reading the sequel Children of Ruin. I’ll have to check out his fantasy at some point too.

  • Deebster
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    310 months ago

    This is such an easy recommendation, and I love some of the ideas like how they don’t write top to bottom (the alternative is perhaps a little impractical, but very thematic).