Science fiction · Fantasy
Children of Ruin
Long after humanity's first great star voyages, a new expedition follows a trail of old terraforming experiments to a planet where life has taken an unexpected shape. It sets two strange stories running side by side.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2019
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 592
- Format
- Book 2 of 4 in Children of Time
Read this if you like science fiction that is curious about alien minds and how intelligence might evolve.
Skip this if you have not read Children of Time, because this builds directly on it.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Children of Ruin
- What is Children of Ruin about?
- Long after humanity's first great star voyages, a new expedition follows a trail of old terraforming experiments to a planet where life has taken an unexpected shape. It sets two strange stories running side by side.
- Who should read Children of Ruin?
- Read it if you like science fiction that is curious about alien minds and how intelligence might evolve. Skip it if you have not read Children of Time, because this builds directly on it.
- How long and how fast is Children of Ruin?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 592 pages, first published in 2019.
- Does Children of Ruin have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death.
- Can I borrow Children of Ruin for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Children of Ruin; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Children of Ruin?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Annihilation, Solaris, The Three-Body Problem.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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