[geden]

I thought the second and third books were also great, but different flavours, he didn’t just repeat.

The second goes for more of a horror angle and has some incredible moments. The third is one of the most ambitious books SF novels I’ve read. Blurry and confusing on purpose, which is a fine line to tread (reminiscent of the latter Jeff Vandermeer Southern Reach books).

Recently went to a book reading and Q&A for his new one Shroud, really smart and humble chap. Deeply into his research.

Also, notably, he wrote a book a year for 17 (one seven) years before being published. And then it took 12? more novel before he had a hit with Children Of Time. He didn’t seem to have a shred of resentment about that which felt remarkable and and incredible example of perseverance and enjoyment of process over result.

A fourth Children Of book is imminent.

[globnomulous]

My exchange with another commenter in this thread led me to reconsider the Children of Time series, and I'm now inclined to agree with you, putting the second and third books, books, particularly the third, ahead of the first. (And as I said elsewhere in the thread, I'm really impressed, and delighted, by the quality of the responses people have offered to my offhand comments).

"Because we're going on an adventure." Funny, it hadn't occurred to me to think of the second book as horror, but you're right.

I had no idea Tschaikovsky's career arc was so grueling. I agree that he seems incredibly smart. I just, for the life of me, can't understand why he had anything nice to say about Fractal Noise. That misfire alone (Just the result of his good manners, politics, or kindness to fellow writers?), I think, tarnished my view of his work.

I'll add Vandermeer to my to-read list, thanks!