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Children of Ruin cover art

Children of Ruin

Written by: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: Mel Hudson
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Publisher's Summary

Children of Ruin follows Adrian Tchaikovsky's extraordinary Children of Time, winner of the Arthur C. Clarke award for Best Science Fiction Novel. It is set in the same universe, with a new cast of characters and a thrilling narrative.

It has been waiting through the ages.

Now it's time . . .

Thousands of years ago, Earth’s terraforming program took to the stars. On the world they called Nod, scientists discovered alien life – but it was their mission to overwrite it with the memory of Earth. Then humanity’s great empire fell, and the program’s decisions were lost to time.

Aeons later, humanity and its new spider allies detected fragmentary radio signals between the stars. They dispatched an exploration vessel, hoping to find cousins from old Earth.

But those ancient terraformers woke something on Nod better left undisturbed.

And it’s been waiting for them.

©2019 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd (P)2019 Macmillan Digital Audio

What the critics say

All underpinned by great ideas. And it is crisply modern - but with the sensibility of classic science fiction. Asimov or Clarke might have written this (Stephen Baxter)
You know you’re in for a ride. . . This book thoroughly engaged me. Children of Ruin is a humdinger of a book I enjoyed immensely (Neal Asher)
Magnificent. This is the big stuff – the really big stuff. Rich in wisdom and Humanity (note the 'H'), with a Stapledonian sweep and grandeur . . . Books like this are why we read science-fiction (Ian McDonald)
Breathtaking scope and vision. Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers (Gareth Powell)
Wonderful – big, thinky SF that feels classic without being mired in the past, absolutely crammed with fun ideas . . . Anyone who likes sweeping, evolutionary-scale stories will love this (Django Wexler)

What listeners say about Children of Ruin

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loved it!

brilliantly creative taking me on an adventure. Definatley left wanting more! Narrator was amazing as well.

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wow that's an adventure!

the first book was extremely well written and the story was fascinating and the second book is just as good but maybe even better because the story's heading towards an amazing ADVENTURE ... and it sets ground for the final tome and I'm hyper exited for book 3 ... this trilogy is an instant classic ....

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enjoyed it

great narration, ending seemed a bit rushed, though. will definitely listen to the next one too

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amazing take on evolution of alien civilization

author did a great job of creating several different distinct civilizations well also creating interesting characters

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Superb sequel.

Damn this man can write. Excellent sequel leaves you wanting more as all good books should!

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Great Continuation

I enjoyed this continuation of the Children series . I really liked this books new lifeforms, and the direction of this evolution. Love the narrators read, great character choices/voices

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Do not miss this.

Incredible story and wonderful performance. Visionary science fiction. The first book in the series set the stage and challenged my perspective to grow. This book was yet another step beyond. Highly recommended.

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Excellent Sequel

Mel Hudson is by far, hands down, without a doubt my favourite narrator. She makes this story come alive, evoking all the response I'm sure the author would approve. Creepy, interesting and everything you want from a sci-fi.

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still amazed

Can"t believe how interesting this author makes the development to sentience in various species as they reach for the stars. a whole wonderful group of character who are brought to life by a very talented narrator.

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Great!

Like the 1st book, ILoved it. Would want to get the 3rd book as well.

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