I liked Alien Clay pretty well. Here's what I wrote in my notes about Children of Memory:
- Third in the series that starts with Children of Time. Not a cookie cutter sequel, and a somewhat challenging book. The first two in the series alternate between two linear stories set a long time apart. This one isn’t told in a linear way. Many of the characters from the prior book go to one of the planets listed as a terraforming project of the original earth civilization and find a struggling town of people. I really like how Tchaikovsky wrestles with what the right thing to do is in complex situations. Good series all around.
I thought it was good, and he did something unusual in the storytelling, but it was tougher.
Have you read Service Model? That one is fun. Here's are my notes:
- Charles, a high-end robot valet, finds that he has murdered his master, though he doesn’t know why. To find the answer, he heads to Diagnostics, leaving the grounds for the first time. He finds civilization has collapsed, with robots like himself at various levels of functionality. He also meets The Wonk, who believes Charles has become sentient. This book is a treasure. Fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams will find something to love here.