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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
This could easily have been a 5 star read, if I was solely judging on the world-building, and the sheer amount of detail included in the narrative in order to make the story as realistic as possible.
Conceptually, this book is fantastic. Set in a distant future where humans have colonised the far reaches of our solar system, Children of Time explores the idea of how we would preserve our species when the Earth inevitably reaches its environmental breaking point. But when things fail to go according to plan, humanity is forced to go to extreme lengths in order to find a new home.
The two main settings - the great ark ship Gilgamesh and so-called Kern's world (humanity's supposed new home) - are presented exceptionally well, and it's clear just how much thought and research went into both. Tchaikovsky also delves deep into the science of evolution in ways that I've never experienced before - the way that Portia's narrative shows the ever-increasing cognitive and social development of her people is masterful.
So why no 5 stars? It took me the majority of the 600 page book to figure out what exactly was just not hitting the spot for me. And I think it's a side effect of the "hard sci-fi" of it all - the aspects that make the book so good conceptually are also what meant that I enjoyed it that little bit less. It was just all a bit... clinical. It's so scientifically sound that, ironically for a book about humanity, a lot of the essential human-ness was lost. The characters lacked emotion, and felt distant and unrelatable. It wasn't until the dramatic conclusion that I felt anything for them at all. For the rest of the time while reading I felt like I was observing the whole thing through a microscope.
Still a good read though, and I will be picking up the next in the series for sure.
Conceptually, this book is fantastic. Set in a distant future where humans have colonised the far reaches of our solar system, Children of Time explores the idea of how we would preserve our species when the Earth inevitably reaches its environmental breaking point. But when things fail to go according to plan, humanity is forced to go to extreme lengths in order to find a new home.
The two main settings - the great ark ship Gilgamesh and so-called Kern's world (humanity's supposed new home) - are presented exceptionally well, and it's clear just how much thought and research went into both. Tchaikovsky also delves deep into the science of evolution in ways that I've never experienced before - the way that Portia's narrative shows the ever-increasing cognitive and social development of her people is masterful.
So why no 5 stars? It took me the majority of the 600 page book to figure out what exactly was just not hitting the spot for me. And I think it's a side effect of the "hard sci-fi" of it all - the aspects that make the book so good conceptually are also what meant that I enjoyed it that little bit less. It was just all a bit... clinical. It's so scientifically sound that, ironically for a book about humanity, a lot of the essential human-ness was lost. The characters lacked emotion, and felt distant and unrelatable. It wasn't until the dramatic conclusion that I felt anything for them at all. For the rest of the time while reading I felt like I was observing the whole thing through a microscope.
Still a good read though, and I will be picking up the next in the series for sure.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don’t usually enjoy science fiction but this is definitely better than expected. I would recommend to anyone who struggles with science fiction for an interesting read and I am positive any sci-fi lover would give this a 10/10.
4.5 stars.
Spiders undergo enhanced evolution, building an extraordinary new civilisation. Meanwhile the last of humanity searches for a new home, bringing its destructive tendencies with it. Impressive & audacious vision, but lacks engaging characters.
Spiders undergo enhanced evolution, building an extraordinary new civilisation. Meanwhile the last of humanity searches for a new home, bringing its destructive tendencies with it. Impressive & audacious vision, but lacks engaging characters.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
challenging
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated