One of things I noticed about his writing style is that I have to pay attention. You can follow some books or audiobooks even if you get distracted. With his books, I need to be rested or I'll miss what the hell is going on, you can see that even more with later books. It's not Brando Sando kind of prose.
Honestly, the ants-as-computers part of things was one of my favorite details. I read this book shortly after reading *How to Invent Everything* by Ryan North, which has a chapter that goes into the logistics of computing and how basically, if you have something that will reliably respond in a certain way to a certain stimulus or circumstance, you can technically build a computer out of that. It’s just a case of being able to string enough logic gates together. You could build a computer out of water, or marbles, or crabs. So it was really neat to see that taken up with the ants - which did have that key detail of responding reliably to specific stimuli. So now, you’re basically building a computer *out of robots* that can themselves affect and construct things. The building blocks of your computer itself already have manufacturing capabilities! Very neat.
Yeh this is up there as one of the best sci fi books of all time and its so justified. Its just brilliant in so many ways. Really embodies for me everything that sci fi can be. I still love Portia.
I loved this book. I’m a big bug nerd so I was sold on this book in the first spider chapter. I was worried in the middle that once that novelty wore off the story wouldn’t hold up but the last act in the book was great.
I absolutely loved this trilogy. Such an interesting premise and so well written. Book 2 and 3 do some things that some people don't like but I loved it. He opens up the universe in a way you do not expect from the first book. I recommend. If you don't like book 2 I doubt you will like book 3 but it has the same kind of ending of book 1 where you can stop
Nothing to do with this but I hope you lads one day read Kalpa Imperial by Angelica Gorodischer (translated to English by none other than Ursula K Leguin). Actually, something to do, some things that you mention (like "you're not following characters, you're following the idea the author is showing") remind me of it
I fuckin’ love the Children of Time. The Spider Astronauts scene was a masterpiece. Children of Ruin is aight. Haven’t gotten around to Children of Memory yet.
Spiders eat their mates because they have no attachments to them and providing food for the mother of your brood gives them a better chance. That being said a super smart society of spiders with the ability to collect and store resources long term are not going to need to eat eachother.
i love this series so much, and i hope you read the other books as well. children of ruin has way more horror, so i had to put it down a lot. still great though
@@2ToRamble for the 2nd book absolutely. Continuation of the first with a just as thought provoking(if not more so) storyline. The author is exceptional with his ability to tell a story from another species’ perspective. The 3rd book is different. In the end it’s just as great in terms of ‘thought provoking’ and how profound the overall subject is but (without spoiling) it was a hard listen (I audiobook due to time) because of the style of this one. Probably would be better to actually read it. Either way, fantastic trilogy and left me desperately wishing he’d expand the final books ending more.
Loved this book. I was like Rich in that I just wanted to know what the spiders were up to. Just watching this clinical trial happen across generations. Rich, though. What's this about people who don't believe in God having nothing to strive for and worshipping themselves. C'mon, man. You think I can look at all these clowns around us and think, "Yeah, that's the ultimate being". Or that I look at myself and think the same? Kern's monkeys are smarter than I am. I'm just happy I remember to put on pants.
I read this based on your reactions and recommendations from your previous monthly recap. I can't say I enjoyed it too much. Great concept and very thought provoking. But characters and the whole back and forth plot wasn't for me. I guess sci-fi really doesnt interest me compared to fantasy. I only gave this a 3.5⭐️. Still a good book, but won't be one I ever get back to for a reread 👍
@@2ToRamble Well for one thing I'm a little tired of this shit. th-cam.com/video/8_dR3fbXK34/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EDCYTslhJlh6lCyE Humans aren't so bad dispite the artificial drama on the Gilgamesh. And much more importantly if one of the themes is empathy. Then, it completely failed to make that point. Instead of the humans and spiders coming to understand each other through mutual trust and maybe the spiders noticing that Kiern defected on these guys multiple times and this was not just one game of the prisoners delema. Humans get chemically altered Instead. This isn't a story about empathy. It's a story about eugenics.
@@2ToRambleOK, my comment got deleted. But in simple terms. The story says it's all about empathy, but in the end, it turns out to be about eugenics. Besides when the author writes the humans to be stupid barbarians to make you side with the spiders, I just end up being annoyed by the author.
@@2ToRambleI enjoyed the next 2 books. Going to new Worlds exploring new themes. Maybe not the sense of brand new discovery that the 1st book gives you, because they aren’t as groundbreaking but still worth reading.
@@2ToRamble The sequels were great. Just different. Adrian Tchaikovsky wrote about similar themes of intelligence arising from foreign (alien) forms that we aren't used to, and even frighten us. They are both good continuations of Book 1. Book two actually has some good horror elements too.
I haven't read three, but I liked book two. Less so, but still enjoyed it. I found the thing that suffered the most was the Prose, though it was still strong, it just alienated me. The characters were also much stronger, though the worldbuilding took a turn in a less interesting direction imo. It's going to be very individal whether you like it or not.
One of things I noticed about his writing style is that I have to pay attention. You can follow some books or audiobooks even if you get distracted. With his books, I need to be rested or I'll miss what the hell is going on, you can see that even more with later books. It's not Brando Sando kind of prose.
The audiobook version of this on Audible, narrated by Mel Hudson, a Dr Who alumnus, is outstanding! Brings the characters to life!
Thinking about giving it a chance !
Omg I’m so excited that you guys read this!! I read Children of Time this year and it got me out of a reading slump and into a HUGE sci fi phase
Same here - im on a sci-fi binge now
Honestly, the ants-as-computers part of things was one of my favorite details. I read this book shortly after reading *How to Invent Everything* by Ryan North, which has a chapter that goes into the logistics of computing and how basically, if you have something that will reliably respond in a certain way to a certain stimulus or circumstance, you can technically build a computer out of that. It’s just a case of being able to string enough logic gates together. You could build a computer out of water, or marbles, or crabs.
So it was really neat to see that taken up with the ants - which did have that key detail of responding reliably to specific stimuli. So now, you’re basically building a computer *out of robots* that can themselves affect and construct things. The building blocks of your computer itself already have manufacturing capabilities! Very neat.
"The ending matters a lot to me" - that's what she said.
It`s a good monday when my favorite YT Channel reads my favorite sci-fi. The other 2 books are awesome as well.
Yeh this is up there as one of the best sci fi books of all time and its so justified. Its just brilliant in so many ways. Really embodies for me everything that sci fi can be. I still love Portia.
I loved this book. I’m a big bug nerd so I was sold on this book in the first spider chapter. I was worried in the middle that once that novelty wore off the story wouldn’t hold up but the last act in the book was great.
I absolutely loved this trilogy. Such an interesting premise and so well written. Book 2 and 3 do some things that some people don't like but I loved it. He opens up the universe in a way you do not expect from the first book. I recommend. If you don't like book 2 I doubt you will like book 3 but it has the same kind of ending of book 1 where you can stop
This was on my top 5 books last year, incredible read
Portia is the Spider that represents the spider culture as it is. Bianca represents its advancement.
Nothing to do with this but I hope you lads one day read Kalpa Imperial by Angelica Gorodischer (translated to English by none other than Ursula K Leguin). Actually, something to do, some things that you mention (like "you're not following characters, you're following the idea the author is showing") remind me of it
I read the book and met the author here in the UK. Extremely smart and kind.
Please read Blindsight (Peter Watts) next. Mind-boggling sci-fi space adventure/horror/first contact with very heavy philosophical themes
I fuckin’ love the Children of Time. The Spider Astronauts scene was a masterpiece.
Children of Ruin is aight. Haven’t gotten around to Children of Memory yet.
Damn hoping book 2 was also great
@ it has its moments (even some fun scary stuff) but even as character minimal as Children of Time is, Children of Ruin feels even more scant.
I've heard so many good things about Children of Time. It will definitely be a book I read after I finish my current TBR 😅
Spiders eat their mates because they have no attachments to them and providing food for the mother of your brood gives them a better chance. That being said a super smart society of spiders with the ability to collect and store resources long term are not going to need to eat eachother.
i love this series so much, and i hope you read the other books as well. children of ruin has way more horror, so i had to put it down a lot. still great though
Monday gang!
Hey Rich and Austin, can yall do a favorite books podcast? We know Rich loves WOT and Austin loves Red Rising but I would love to know your top books!
We may do one for our favorite 2024 reads soon!
Absolutely incredible first book
Look into the three body problem
The first book was really good the sequals were step down with each one
Ahh darnit
Just finished this trilogy last week! Definitely agree on children of time!
Did the following 2 books also do it for you?
@@2ToRamble for the 2nd book absolutely. Continuation of the first with a just as thought provoking(if not more so) storyline. The author is exceptional with his ability to tell a story from another species’ perspective.
The 3rd book is different. In the end it’s just as great in terms of ‘thought provoking’ and how profound the overall subject is but (without spoiling) it was a hard listen (I audiobook due to time) because of the style of this one. Probably would be better to actually read it.
Either way, fantastic trilogy and left me desperately wishing he’d expand the final books ending more.
whens the hero of ages review coming out
Thatll be out next week
Loved this book. I was like Rich in that I just wanted to know what the spiders were up to. Just watching this clinical trial happen across generations.
Rich, though. What's this about people who don't believe in God having nothing to strive for and worshipping themselves. C'mon, man. You think I can look at all these clowns around us and think, "Yeah, that's the ultimate being". Or that I look at myself and think the same? Kern's monkeys are smarter than I am. I'm just happy I remember to put on pants.
Lolol if rich sees this im sure he’ll have something to say
**** SPOILER BELOW WARNING*****
When the spiders realise how to use ANTS as COMPUTERS.......that`s when sci-fi became my new favorite genre.
Sun eater next!
Coming 😈
Nice, I'll be reading along. Just finished the red rising trilogy. EMPIRE OF SILENCE starts today.
@@Oversurge_ fantastic
Honestly, didnt love this book. I didn't care about the spiders at all and they didn't evolve in an interesting enough way to hook me.
Fair - was the human part more interesting to you?
@@2ToRamble nope, probably worse. very boring.
I read the text on the image and was excited about them continuing with the Sun Eater series... then I got sad. 💔
*i started howling dark*
@@2ToRamble 😃
@@2ToRamble Thank god
I loved this book but decided to keep it as a standalone and leave the sequels. Didn’t need them
Dont blame you - it ends so perfectly. I (austin) will eventually read on bc Im so curious what else this series can do
I read this based on your reactions and recommendations from your previous monthly recap. I can't say I enjoyed it too much. Great concept and very thought provoking. But characters and the whole back and forth plot wasn't for me. I guess sci-fi really doesnt interest me compared to fantasy. I only gave this a 3.5⭐️. Still a good book, but won't be one I ever get back to for a reread 👍
Fair - definitely not a book for some character-first readers
Great ideas, bad story-telling.. I wish the author gave his ideas to Stephen King and let King write a compelling story!!
Also i didn't care for the ending.
What didnt stick for you?
@@2ToRamble Well for one thing I'm a little tired of this shit.
th-cam.com/video/8_dR3fbXK34/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EDCYTslhJlh6lCyE
Humans aren't so bad dispite the artificial drama on the Gilgamesh.
And much more importantly if one of the themes is empathy. Then, it completely failed to make that point. Instead of the humans and spiders coming to understand each other through mutual trust and maybe the spiders noticing that Kiern defected on these guys multiple times and this was not just one game of the prisoners delema. Humans get chemically altered Instead. This isn't a story about empathy. It's a story about eugenics.
@@2ToRambleOK, my comment got deleted. But in simple terms. The story says it's all about empathy, but in the end, it turns out to be about eugenics.
Besides when the author writes the humans to be stupid barbarians to make you side with the spiders, I just end up being annoyed by the author.
God I hated this book
Which was he worst part for you?
Do yourselves a favor and don't read the other 2. They're definitely weaker than the first one.
Noo. Is it really?
@@2ToRambleI enjoyed the next 2 books. Going to new Worlds exploring new themes. Maybe not the sense of brand new discovery that the 1st book gives you, because they aren’t as groundbreaking but still worth reading.
@@2ToRamble
The sequels were great. Just different. Adrian Tchaikovsky wrote about similar themes of intelligence arising from foreign (alien) forms that we aren't used to, and even frighten us.
They are both good continuations of Book 1. Book two actually has some good horror elements too.
@@2ToRambledo yourselves a favor and do read the sequels. They’re incredible but have a different tone, equally as good just about different ideas
I haven't read three, but I liked book two. Less so, but still enjoyed it. I found the thing that suffered the most was the Prose, though it was still strong, it just alienated me. The characters were also much stronger, though the worldbuilding took a turn in a less interesting direction imo. It's going to be very individal whether you like it or not.