06-30-2026, 08:28 AM
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Boy does Adrian write some dense little books. First off it's Space exploration. Fun. Except the explorers are scientists turned prisoners who have run afoul of Earth's government. The scientists had the audacity to want to do science without adhering to the narrow confines the government required. They tried to revolution and were sent to a distant planet for their trouble.
The planet of Kiln is no joy ride either. The operators of the prison/research facility on Kiln would really like to know who built these structures all over the planet. They would also like to know why every piece of flora and faun on Kiln wants to eat them. Fortunately there are plenty of expendable prisoner/scientists to find out.
Adrian loves inventing new messed up ecologies and the world of Kiln is a peach. The world building is combined with political commentary on the duties of being scientists and seeking the truth no matter where it leads.
Boy does Adrian write some dense little books. First off it's Space exploration. Fun. Except the explorers are scientists turned prisoners who have run afoul of Earth's government. The scientists had the audacity to want to do science without adhering to the narrow confines the government required. They tried to revolution and were sent to a distant planet for their trouble.
The planet of Kiln is no joy ride either. The operators of the prison/research facility on Kiln would really like to know who built these structures all over the planet. They would also like to know why every piece of flora and faun on Kiln wants to eat them. Fortunately there are plenty of expendable prisoner/scientists to find out.
Adrian loves inventing new messed up ecologies and the world of Kiln is a peach. The world building is combined with political commentary on the duties of being scientists and seeking the truth no matter where it leads.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm