I've read several Tchaikovsky books before, and some have been incredible (Children of Time, Guns of the Dawn) while others have just been 'fine'. So I find him a bit hit or miss.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Shadows of the Apt or Echoes of the Fall series? Is this bundle worth it?

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[–] Worx@lemmynsfw.com 5 points 2 months ago

I've read five of his books: the three "Children of.." books; Alien Clay; and the first Shadows of the Apt book, Empire of Black and Gold.

Children of Time is one of my top 10 favourite books. The other two in that series, as well as Alien Clay, are fantastic. The ideas are really big and the theme of togetherness is something that I love and can really get behind.

Empire of Black and Gold is, as you say, fine. It feels like a much less experienced author wrote it - and after checking Wikipedia it does seem to be his first book. It's fantasy rather than sci-fi and the ideas and plot are much smaller and more character-driven. It seems to be aimed at teens. It's a bit slower, smaller in scope, simpler. I'm still going to be collecting and reading the rest of the series if I see them in a charity shop or library, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find them.

Overall, if you can afford the bundle, go for it. Empire of Black and Gold wasn't a bad book, just not up to the standard I'd come to expect from Adrian Tchaikovsky. Hope this helps!