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Review of Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Children of Ruin (Children of Time, #2)Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Review of Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Children of Ruin is a masterful sequel to Children of Time, continuing the author’s ambitious exploration of humanity’s legacy and the uncharted complexities of life beyond Earth. This novel dives deep into hard science fiction, weaving intricate themes of advanced technology, speculative biology, and the far-reaching consequences of human ambition.

In Children of Ruin, a human-Portiid expedition—comprised of humans and their evolved spider allies—embarks on a journey to Damascus, a once-terraforming candidate planet now inhabited by a highly intelligent species of octopuses. Originally seeded by humanity with the intent of accelerated evolution, these octopuses have transformed into something extraordinary. Their society and technology showcase a rich cultural tapestry, both familiar and distinctly alien, and they possess a profound understanding of their world and the cosmos.

The octopuses' evolution echoes humanity's earlier experiment with the Portiid spiders, presenting a fascinating exploration of the unintended consequences of playing "god." Themes of adaptation and the persistence of life take center stage as the humans and Portiids attempt to connect with these octopuses, who have developed entirely unique perspectives and tools for survival.

A new and chilling threat, known as the Shards, also lurks within this galaxy—a relic of an ancient, long-vanished civilization with the power to consume entire worlds. The novel’s conflict with the Shards is suspenseful and serves as a stark reminder of the perils of intergalactic exploration.

Tchaikovsky expertly balances the science with philosophical inquiry, presenting several themes:

The Nature of Consciousness: Through biological and artificial beings alike, the novel probes the boundaries of self-awareness and intelligence.
The Ethics of Exploration: The characters must grapple with the moral dilemmas of seeding life and interfering with alien worlds.
Human Impact on Evolution: The narrative examines how humanity's actions, even with noble intentions, ripple across time and space, impacting entire ecosystems.
Adaptation and Survival: From humans to spiders to octopuses, all species exhibit remarkable resilience, each finding ways to endure and thrive.
Children of Ruin is a thought-provoking journey that raises profound questions about humanity's place in the universe. In exploring the connections and conflicts between species, the novel reflects on the essence of intelligence, the weight of responsibility, and the power of empathy and cooperation. It’s a gripping and contemplative tale for any reader interested in the outer reaches of science fiction and the depths of our own ethical universe.

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