Children of Ruin Audiobook by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Children of Time, Book 2

Summary

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the pages of this captivating audiobook. Whether you’re an avid reader or a newcomer to the world of audiobooks, this unique listening experience is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and skilled narration, this audiobook transports you into a realm where the boundaries between reality and fantasy seamlessly blur.

Audiobook Info

Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrator: Steven Pacey
Duration: 17 hours and 30 minutes
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group
Release Date: August 3, 2017
Series: Children of Time series
Book: Book 2

Review

Adrian Tchaikovsky’s “Children of Ruin” is not just another space opera; it’s an immersive odyssey that pushes the boundaries of imagination, intelligence, and empathy. The moment you press play on this masterful sequel to “Children of Time,” you’re swept across light-years into cosmic frontiers – worlds at once familiar and unfathomably alien.

What truly sets this audiobook apart from its peers is Steven Pacey’s exceptional narration. From the opening chapter, Pacey demonstrates both precision and passion: his ability to capture distinct personalities – whether human, arachnid, cephalopod, or something even stranger – is nothing short of remarkable. There’s nuance in every phrase; his emotional range gives life not only to individual characters but also infuses entire species with personality and pathos. As listeners traverse centuries-spanning timelines and encounter diverse intelligences wrestling with survival and purpose, Pacey remains our unwavering guide through existential mysteries.

Tchaikovsky’s plot weaves together vast narrative threads: humanity seeking hope after Earth’s decline; enigmatic ancient missions resurfacing amid terraformed planets like Nod; non-human civilizations forging their own destiny in defiance – and curiosity – towards their creators. The science at play isn’t mere set dressing but grounds every philosophical question posed: What defines consciousness? Can vastly different species ever find common ground? Every answer spawns new puzzles as alliances are formed (and frayed) in moments rife with tension.

Expect complex characters both relatable and entirely alien – sentient spiders are joined by uplifted octopuses grappling with communication barriers that echo real-world debates about intelligence across forms of life. Tchaikovsky excels at making us care deeply about minds so unlike our own while never losing sight of universal fears: isolation, misunderstanding, extinction – and hope.

It should be noted that some listeners may find pacing deliberate as the story explores big ideas over action-heavy spectacle – but for fans who revel in thought-provoking speculative fiction laced with rich worldbuilding (think Arthur C. Clarke or Peter Watts), each minute spent is rewarding.

In sum: “Children of Ruin” stands tall among modern science fiction audiobooks – a tour de force marrying visionary storytelling with impeccable audio performance.

Download & Listen

If you’re ready for an epic exploration teeming with intelligent lifeforms, moral dilemmas spanning eons, and narration that breathes soul into every page – even those written by evolution itself – then “Children of Ruin” awaits you at KTAudiobooks.com. Download today to lose yourself in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s universe brought brilliantly alive by Steven Pacey’s voice artistry – a true must-listen for fans yearning for depth as infinite as space itself!

Status: Completed Version: Unabridged Genre: Science Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky Narrator: Mel Hudson Updated: 09/09/2025 Series: Children of Time Listening Time: 15 hrs and 26 mins