Children of Memory

Overview: “Children of Memory” by Adrian Tchaikovsky represents a magnificent leap of imagination in the ongoing exploration of the alien, expanding upon the rich tapestry of the “Children of Time” series. Tchaikovsky introduces readers to a diverse crew of explorers culled from the previous books, embarking on a quest to uncover scattered remnants of old humanity who stumble across a planet with more mysteries than they expected.

More detailed thoughts: Tchaikovsky continues to skilfully weave his vast narrative landscape, opening with a succinct recap of key points from the previous books, which given the sheer complexity of the timeline, setting and menagerie/cast is really helpful to put it mildly. The tale unfolds through the lens of three waves of human exploration, firstly the ancient terraformers led by the ambitious (and grouchy) Avrana Kern, and then the desperate remnants of humanity seeking refuge, travelling aboard slow-moving ark ships.

The explorers of the third wave, or “current” era are the focus of the book, specifically one crew of explorers that includes a fascinating group of characters: a couple of crows (corvids) that operate in pairs, some spiders, a zero G octopus called Paul, a human, an uploaded replica of Kern's mind running on an ant-computer, and the entity currently identifying as “Miranda”, a once parasitic entity with memories encoded in her DNA. Together they embark on a journey to the potential target world Imir...yes they are going on an adventure!

The narrative unfolds in two layers—the fragile colony established on Imir by one of the ark ships and Miranda's intricate relationship with Liff, a key figure in the colony's survival. Liff's circumstances, reminiscent of a proto-medieval lifestyle with technological dependencies, agricultural practices, and vulnerability to superstition, contribute to the book's almost fantasy feel.

Tchaikovsky's storytelling prowess shines through as he weaves together the diverse threads of the crew's journey, exploring the complexities of human and non-human interactions, the consequences of ancient ambitions, and the dynamics of a society on the cusp of disaster.

Yet as the book progresses more and more elements seem to conflict, to not make sense...and it becomes clear that there is a much bigger, much deeper mystery at play in this story.

“Children of Memory” not only expands the scope of the series but also delves deeper into the philosophical implications of humanity's endeavours, offering a captivating and thought-provoking reading experience. Tchaikovsky's narrative mastery continues to elevate the “Children of Time” series, inviting readers to embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of traditional science fiction.

I really, really hope that there is more to come in this series.