Children of Time

Pros

• Highly original evolutionary biology concepts featuring sentient spiders
• Deeply immersive world-building and "discovery-driven" sci-fi
• Excellent audiobook narration that effectively portrays clinical and unstable characters
• Massively satisfying ending according to multiple readers
• Strong starting point for those new to the author's work

Cons

• Some readers find the storytelling structure "all over the place" or difficult to follow
• Specific characters, such as Avrana Kern, can be polarizing and may deter some from continuing the series

Caveats

• The central focus on spiders may be challenging for those with arachnophobia
• The plot includes depictions of spider cannibalism
• Later portions of the series lean heavily into dense philosophical concepts regarding consciousness

Best for

• Fans of hard science fiction and first contact scenarios
• Readers interested in speculative evolution and non-human sociology
• Audiobook listeners who appreciate high-quality character performance

Avoid if

• You have a severe aversion to spiders
• You prefer straightforward, human-centric narratives
• You find non-linear or concept-heavy plots frustrating