Adrian Tchaikovsky's books in order: a complete guide

Professor Arton Daghdev is exiled to an extrasolar labour camp on Kiln due to his political activism. There, he’s condemned to work under an alien sky until he dies. Kiln boasts a ravenous, chaotic ecosystem like nothing seen on Earth. The monstrous alien life interacts in surprising ways with the human body, so Arton will risk death daily. Yet, amidst it all, the ruins of an alien civilization are a beacon of hope. On Kiln, history's greatest space discovery awaits - an alien species vanished, leaving behind a secret that could redefine life and intelligence, and potentially, liberate Arton. Alien Clay is a thrilling far-future adventure. 

In the far future, the Earth is dying. A desperate envoy is sent into deep space to search for the remnants of an experimental terraforming scheme. They discover the greatest treasure of the past age: a glorious new Eden. But the planet is not waiting for them, pristine and unoccupied. In humanity’s absence, a new species has thrived – turning this second Eden into our worst nightmare. Now two civilizations will do whatever it takes to survive, as the fight for the planet begins.

Humanity’s best scientists once took to the stars with a terraforming programme. They found the perfect planet, Nod – except that alien life had already flourished. It was their mission to overwrite it. Then humanity’s empire fell, and the programme’s ultimate decision was lost. Years later, a fragile coalition of humankind and spiders detect radio signals from space. It could be old cousins from Earth, so they dispatch an exploratory vessel. But those ancient terraformers woke something on Nod, and it’s been waiting for them.

The unmissable third instalment in the Children of Time series spans generations, species and galaxies. Years after arkships were sent to establish new outposts following the failure of Earth, a fragile colony has managed to survive on Imir. But, existence here is a far cry from the paradise the initial mission intended. When strangers appear, society on Imir begins to fracture as neighbour turns against neighbour. But, perhaps some other intelligence is also at work, toying with colonists and space-fearing scientists alike . . .

Eighty years ago, the alien Architects destroyed Earth. Many escaped, but millions more died. So mankind created super-soldiers to combat the enemy. Then the Architects disappeared, and heroes like Idris were forgotten. Idris has neither aged nor slept since the war. He scrapes by on a salvage vessel to avoid unwanted attention. Then he and his crew discover a work of the Architects, abandoned in space. Hunted by gangsters, cults and governments, they must race across the galaxy to find answers – and prepare themselves for war.

Thoughtful, inventive and high octane, Eyes of the Void is the second instalment of Adrian Tchaikovsky's Final Architecture space opera trilogy. Following eighty years of shaky peace, the alien enemy is back, conducting a terrible one-sided battle and consuming entire planets. Nobody is safe, and the Human Colonies are in chaos. As the threat grows ever closer, Idris has the chance to turn the tide for humanity. But to do so, he must face his demons in unspace. And what he finds there will change everything . . .

In the final high-octane instalment of Adrian Tchaikovsky's Final Architecture space opera trilogy, Idris Telemmier has uncovered a secret that changes everything – the Architects’ greatest weakness. A shadowy Cartel scrambles to turn his discovery into a weapon against these alien destroyers of worlds. But between them and victory stands self-interest. The galaxy’s great powers would rather pursue their own agendas than stand together against this shared terror. For all fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky, this is a characteristically gripping, thought-provoking and energetic finale not to be missed. 

For decades, the Lowland’s city states have only known peace. But all that is about to change. A distant empire has been conquering neighbours with its vast, highly trained armies. Now it sets its eyes on a new prize: the city states. Spymaster and statesman Stenwold Maker can see the danger coming. But as the empire marches closer, no one else seems convinced. It’s up to him to save his home – if he can survive.

The Wasp Empire’s armies march towards the city of Tark. Alongside their ant-Kinden brethren, Sotho and Tark prepare for battle against a force unlike any other. Meanwhile, Stenwold Maker’s life is under threat. The Empire have deemed him too dangerous to live, and so they set out to eliminate him, along with his beloved city of Collegium. As the Empire’s troops bear down on the city, the young Wasp Emperor seeks another, darker goal. And its success could spell the end for the Lowlands.

Achaeos the seer has finally discovered the location of the stolen Shadow Box. But soon the magical artefact could be lost to him forever. Meanwhile, Stenwold and his followers are running out of time, as they try to gather allies ahead of the Empire’s next move. If he fails, the Empire will crush every city in the Lowlands by year’s end. But worse is yet to come. Should the power-hungry Wasp Emperor get hold of the Shadow Box, nowhere will be safe.

War is on the horizon, as the Wasp Empire marches towards the city of Collegium. Preparing for battle, Stenwold Maker must untangle loyalties to distinguish allies from false friends. Tisamon the Weaponsmaster prefers a more direct approach – to face the Wasp Emperor himself and stem the bloody tide. Yet a sinister force may be manipulating him from the darkness. With the Shadow Box in his grasp, the Wasp Emperor can begin his dark ritual to gain immortality. However, the sorcerer Uctebri has other plans...

The war with the Wasp Empire has ended in bitter stalemate, and Cheerwell Maker is haunted by ghosts from the past. Meanwhile, the Wasp Empress is already regaining control over her renegade imperial cities. Only her consort, former spymaster Thalric, knows the sinister truth behind her power. And when assassins come for him, he finds his life and loyalties under threat once more. Both Cheerwell and Thalric are drawn to the ancient city of Khanaphes. Yet a terrible secret lies entombed beneath its stones.

A fragile peace holds over the Lowlands. Yet Stenwold Maker knows the Empire will return for Collegium. As he prepares the city for battle, a hidden threat works against him. Collegium ships are being attacked and sunk by pirates, while others simply vanish. Amidst rumour and deception, Stenwold’s allies are falling away – even as the Empire waits to strike. But they’re not the only power with an eye on Collegium. And its military might may not be able to stop the forces gathering in the shadows.

Haunted by her crimes, Tynisa is on the run. But among the crumbling provinces of the Dragonfly Commonweal, she can’t escape her past. Her father’s ghost is hunting her down. As Tynisa flees, the Wasp Empire closes in on the city of Khanaphes. From the jewel of the ancient world, the Empire’s soldiers seek conquest and glory. However, Empress Seda has greater aspirations. She sees herself as heir to all the old powers of history, and seeks the ultimate prize.

Chaos erupts, as the world heads towards an inevitable collision. While students in Collegium argue politics, spies ready their knives and troops muster at the border. Nowhere is safe – and no one can be trusted. At the heart of the Empire, pilots complete their secretive training and Empress Seda rallies her forces. As the heir to two worlds, she intends to claim her birthright, and nothing will stand in her way. Even if it means an unimaginable war.

The Wasp Empire is relentlessly advancing towards Collegium. On the other side of the wall, Stenwold Maker prepares the city for battle. He has triumphed before, but a terrifying new aerial weapon could devastate them. Yet, far from the city, Empress Seda seeks something that could turn the tide of war in her favour – a lost power from the old world. Cheerwell Maker is determined to stop the Empress from claiming it. But their showdown could awaken a far deadlier enemy...

Finally, the Empire is victorious. But it has come at a terrible price – one which Empress Seda is only beginning to reckon with. The Seal is shattered, and the Worm is stirring towards the light for the first time in a millennia. It will consume everything. Faced with destruction, Seda must turn towards an extreme solution to lock the Worm back into the darkness. But if she does the unthinkable to save the world, then who will save the world from her?

In the northern crown of the world, Maniye is an outcast. Her father may be the Wolf’s chieftain, but her mother was queen of the Tiger. And these shapeshifting clans have been enemies for generations. However, Maniye has a secret – she can transform into both wolf and tiger shapes. Unable to disown half her soul, Maniye escapes, taking a Wolf prisoner with her. But the future is uncertain, as a dark shadow circles the land, eclipsing even the Wolf chieftain’s own ambitions for war.

Maniye has been named Champion of her people, though they’re still undecided if she’s an asset or a threat. To buy time, Maniye heads south with Prince Tecuman, to help him claim his crown from his twin sister. Instead, she stumbles into the heart of a political storm. In the face of impending danger, Loud Thunder and his bear clan are attempting to unite the northern tribes. An ancient adversary is preparing to strike, and none will be spared. But not everyone is convinced – and time is running out.

Out of the darkest myths, the Plague People have emerged. They obliterate villages, bringing with them a terror that destroys minds. In their quest to remake the world, nothing is safe. The true people must fight back. Clans across the world unite, as heroes and leaders wage a war unlike any they’ve known. But even ten thousand spears may not be enough to turn the tide in their favour. The fate of the true people and their world rests on a knife edge.

For generations, peace reigned over Denland – until revolutionaries assassinated their king. Next, they clashed with Lascanne, their neighbour. Both countries are now locked in fierce war, pitching war machines against warlocks. Genteel Emily Marshwic has lost much to the war. Then the call for more soldiers comes for her. Alongside other conscripted women, she finds herself on the battlefield, braving the harsh reality of warfare. But she begins to doubt her country’s cause, and her choices could determine the fate of these two nations.

Four years ago, Lee and Mal went looking for monsters on Bodmin Moor. Only Lee returned. When Mal miraculously reappears, Lee can’t believe it. But Lee isn’t the only one with questions. MI5 agent Julian Sabreur is investigating an attack on a top physicist, and his only clue is footage of a woman who supposedly died on Bodmin Moor. Mal claims she’s been lost in parallel earths, populated by extraordinary creatures. Now the walls between them are collapsing – and anything could come through.