Children of Time

Overview: A cleverly written, thought provoking SF book that follows an arkship containing the last of humanity, interwoven with the rise of spider civilisation on their destination world, terraformed long ago.

More detailed thoughts: “Children of Time” by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a thought-provoking story that raises questions of the meaning of being human, human civilization and the unforeseen consequences of our actions, creating a captivating and immersive story.

At the heart of the tale lies Dr. Avrana Kern, a scientist leading an ambitious scientific endeavour to transform an inhospitable planet into a thriving ecosystem. However, as the delicate balance of the project teeters, the introduction of a genetically engineered virus meant to accelerate the evolution of primates becomes a catalyst for unforeseen turmoil. The onset of human conflict and the unfortunate fate of a barrel of monkeys, paves the way for the virus to permeate unintended organisms, most notably the brilliantly depicted spiders of the Portia labiata species.

Tchaikovsky excels at presenting the stark contrast between the spiders' rapid progression and the gradual decline of human civilization. It's a delicate dance that prompts us to reflect on our species' flaws and the fragility of our world.

Character development shines through. We not only see gripping short stories set at key moments in the rise of spider civilisation, we have a parallel series of tales as members of the crew of the ark ship, containing the last humans, are periodically awoken to deal with a series of crises. The dark and – frankly terrifying fate of Dr. Avrana Kern is revealed throughout the book, raising deep questions as to the nature of self and – quite frankly – what the ultimate superlative for horror is.

“Children of Time” not only paints a vivid world but also encourages us to question our own humanity. The blending of evolutionary themes, conflicts, and the consequences of our choices invites deep reflection about our place in the grand scheme of things. Tchaikovsky skilfully weaves these elements together, uplifting the novel beyond a simple tale.