Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Protagonist archetypes
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Synopsis
The astonishing sequel to Children of Time, the award-winning novel of humanity's battle for survival on a terraformed planet. 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.
Tags
Is Children of Ruin appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This hard science fiction novel features moderate violence including alien encounters and body horror elements as humanity confronts ancient terraforming consequences. Complex themes of consciousness, evolution, and first contact are explored through multiple non-human perspectives.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death, violence, and body horror.
Who'll love this
Teens who love deep science fiction with alien species, space exploration, and big ideas about consciousness and communication will be captivated.