Children of Strife is the fourth book in a complex series – and I wouldn’t recommend jumping in here. Tchaikovsky is an excellent writer, but this particular series builds up in layers. If you don’t understand where the story’s come from, you won’t understand where it’s going, either.
This book is told from three main perspectives/eras, flipping between them, so not in order.
There’s a bunch of obnoxious terraformers from Earth, who spend years flailing about and trying to create a planet in their image. There’s also a shrimp, an AI and a maybe-girl, all trying to figure out what the hell is going on right in front of them. And at another time there’s a generation ship setting sail for a vague hope, unsure whether they’ll ever get anywhere at all.
Most of the characters are difficult to like at best. Yet the story is strong (I like novels that explore where humans might end up, and this series has somewhat avoided this until now!), and if you persevere it is rewarding. Confusing at times, but rewarding, too. There’s always something terribly clever behind Tchaikovsky’s books. Some are more accessible than others and this is probably at the ‘less so’ end of the range. But worth a go if you’re a fan of the series.
Share with your Friends: