17.
That's how many times I had to get the dictionary out because I wasn't sure what a word meant. I've realised now that I have to keep a dictionary by me whenever I read one of Mr. Tchaikovsky's books so I don't feel completely out of my depth.
But it's so worth it. The visceral punch of his descriptions aren't diminished by the author's verbosity but rather enhanced by it. It's very well to say the creature was 'skinned alive' but 'flensed' has that extra punch- as long as you know what it means.
I always come away a little more educated and a lot more disturbed- so thanks for that.
Alien Clay is a veritable smorgasbord of imagination- everything from the black-yellow sky to the bulbous fleshy amalgamations of creatures. Some of which I had to draw in the margins to get a real hold on what he was envisioning and, to be honest, I think Mr. Tchaikovsky probably has 'science projects' growing in his fridge in order to really develop these bloated compound creatures. (either that or he needs to lay off the cheese at night)
The plot was well-developed and, as always, there was a delicate balance of political and religious overtones that drew the plot along without devolving into creationist verses evolutionary antagonism.
I also appreciate the fact that Mr Tchaikovsky's characters are diverse without flag-waving and virtue signalling. His characters are non-binary and bi and no one bats an eyelid or has to offer pronouns. It just is. True equality and diversity in literature looks like this.
The ending was both brilliant and off-putting because I wasn't sure if I should be rooting for the 'heroes' or if there was an overarching menace that, due to the unreliable narrator, we were just accepting. It made me question how ambivalent we are to possible hi-jacking by alternate life forms whether sentient (bugs/viruses) or even artificial (A.I. and body modification). What does it mean to be truly 100% human?
And on that philosophical nightmare of a question I'm going to read something silly.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky is so quintessentially him. You have a xenobiologist protagonist with a revolutionary past in a work camp on an alien planet with strange abandoned ruins. The aliens (or natives I suppose) are the most interesting part of this novel for me, each creature being a symbiotic combination of many others, where the smaller creatures can combine with a variety of others in seemingly endless ways. It provides that fascinating hard sci-fi core that the plot is built around. I was less enamoured with the prison revolutionary elements - although that is more personal preference than a problem with the story. The two elements fit together pretty well, although I felt like the build to the finale didn't quite leave me satisfied. It's a good book, but doesn't quite hit the heights of his other work for me. Worth reading if you are already a fan of Tchaicovsky's sci-fi and want more in the same vein.

A change of scene from the previous Tchaikovsky novels, I have been reading, but no loss of storytelling. Thoroughly enjoyable narrative, with themes of adaption and rebellion.

This is the second book of this author that I've read recently and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The author has a distinctive voice and has a delightful way of making serious topics feel light-hearted and digestible which true of this book.

I really enjoyed the setting. Think Southern reaches trilogy but cosier.

The characters were quite as investible as other work by this author but still a solid effort

A deeply stressful opening scene recalls those first grim episodes of Blake's 7, dissidents transported from Earth to an offworld prison colony, though with none of the Federation's concern for health and safety; the heavy use of the term 'acceptable wastage' reminds us of how even ostensibly democratic governments can lean into the cold equations on this, never mind planetary dictatorships. And while the destination planet, Kiln, is the most hospitable to humans that Earth has yet discovered, that comes with heavy caveats; it's a nightmare of recombining biology, evolution happening in real time, somewhere between Hieronymus Bosch and the Tyranids. There are echoes of other Tchaikovsky works, too, not least in Earth's tyrannical Mandate, whose too-tight uniforms and insistence on a narrow definition of propriety and perfection, to which the facts must be made to conform, leave them clear cousins of the Palleseen Sway. In terms of real-world resonance, well, beyond the politicised science, all that terror of infection by a hostile biosphere feels familiar, not to mention the painfully inadequate protective equipment, and a determination to enforce hierarchy to the extent that punitive treatment of the lower orders is obligatory even as it ultimately makes things worse for those above; the cruelty is the point. The big project on which the Kiln base is working is to find out what became of the mysterious builders who left evidence of advanced life on the planet, then disappeared without trace, and yes, anyone with much SF experience is going to work that out way in advance of the characters. But I think that's deliberate, a way of showing how the Mandate's predetermined conclusions blind everyone to the truth, even the dissident xenoecologist lead who has still to some extent been shaped by them - and by the longer, deeper currents in human thought which led to them, and which even back on Earth have so long blinded us to stuff like the true strangeness of fungi (yes, this is at least adjacent to the recent wave of mycorrhizal genre fictions). Ultimately, the theme is one which could sound trite or even soppy - the different ways of humans acting en masse, top-down monolith or bottom-up and networked, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of each. But it's worked through with loads of weird monsters and body horror ick, so I think that's OK.

(Netgalley ARC)

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adrian Tchaikovsky is quickly becoming one of my favourite modern authors. His ability to write in both Fantasy and Science Fiction genres and be skilled in multiple types of narrative perspectives, gives him a range unmatched by most of his contemporaries. Few could match his publication output either - he's probably written another epic during the time I've reviewed this!

Alien Clay is a fascinating first contact story which also leans heavily into dystopia themes. Events follow Professor Arton Daghdev (silent g in the surname) whose scientific leanings do not conform to the ideology of the 'Mandate'. Having non conforming beliefs labels him and many others as dissidents and they are summarily sentenced to hard labour in a prison camp... on a distant planet.

This is very much a prison drama, anyone expecting a sprawling galactic space opera with laser beams and evil empires may find this a bit too slow burning for their taste. This was not a problem for me because Tchaikovsky was able to sow in plenty of mystery elements such as alien ruins with absent builders and a very hostile environment outside of the prison / research facility. Tchaikovsky was also able, through the first person narration of Daghdev to deliver plenty of dry sardonic wit for some levity without straying too far into the playing for laughs territory of Douglas Adams.

The world building and science fiction elements were fantastic and Tchaikovsky really lets his imagination run freely with his descriptions of alien flora and fauna. I particularly liked his removal of the assumption that evolution and survival of the fittest is a universal constant, just think how many aliens in all of science fiction are just bipedal hominids with the addition of green skin or pointy ears and such.

Not too many criticisms to give with this one. There was an odd time skip which was a bit jarring although understandable in order not to reveal a certain plot element until required. I would have liked him to have leaned a bit more into the alien ruins and architecture (exoarchaeology?), perhaps there could have been more clues for the reader to try to figure out along the way.

Would absolutely recommend to any fans of his writing or for those coming from his Fantasy writing and looking to sample his science fiction without committing to a larger Trilogy. Clocking in at just under 400 pages and with a tightly self contained cast of characters and locations, this stand alone novel would be ideal to pick up between heavier reads.

Alien Clay is expected for publication on 28th March 2024.

This book didn't disappoint, I'm a huge fan of Tchaikovsky's previous works. Whilst thrilling and captivating, Alien Clay keeps you guessing and wanting to know more. Highly recommended for Sci-Fi lovers

Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Reviewed by Nadya Mercik

A journey into otherness. A tale of confrontation – with the authorities, with the world around you, with yourself. A vibrant alien world steeped in science. And the same old traits of humanity that bring people onto the verge of catastrophe. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky is another revolutionary adventure on an exoplanet with its own rules and paradigm, which humans try to reshape and make use of.
Arton Dagdev has finally been caught after a year of lying low as a revolutionary. He is sent to one of the Labour camps on an exoplanet. When he arrives, he is lucky to get a good deal. Thanks to his credentials as an ecologist and biologist, he is put into Dig Support. It’s a way down on the career ladder – most of the things he has to do are the level of a lab assistant or a beginning researcher. It is still better than other tasks, though. The Camp Commandant hopes that Arton will help them to solve the mystery of local artifacts – the tall dolmens which have writings on them. The problem is there are no traces of those who could have erected them.
As Daghdev is studying the local biology, which is based on symbiosis, he is invited to join the local Revolutionary Subcommittee. Risking his cosy position, he helps them to stage a coup, which fails. Most of the top leaders are executed, while Dagdev is sent into Excursions – the special teams that go out of the dome to clean the territory around the newly found artifacts. That’s when Arton’s real acquaintance with the local world begins.
The two main premises of the story constantly feed each other. As expected, Alien Clay boasts amazing worldbuilding. We are all familiar with the principle of symbiosis, but Tchaikovsky brings it to the next level and gives it a different scope, which creates a truly alien atmosphere. The constant attempts of the scientists to classify the local critters and their search for the Kiln man in accordance with Mandate's vision only accentuate the otherness and human troubles accepting it.
The revolutionary arc gives us a whole bunch of flawed and conflicted characters – they might not be that likeable, but sooner or later you get to empathise with them. Back on Earth, and on Kiln people are fighting against the Mandate – the authorities who separate everything into black and white, acceptable and unacceptable. Be it a desire to improve working conditions, or an unprecedented scientific view, the Mandate is going to prune it out. The premise works especially well with science, which can’t be limited to one paradigm as long as it keeps looking for truths. I loved how it epitomized in the scene where the lead Scientist presents an approximation of the Kiln Man, because they have to show some progress in their findings. And what they give looks like a caricature – a satirical way of thinking of an alien and as a result of the Mandate.
The plot of the story is tight and well-constructed. There are revelations and twists about the characters and the planet. But, in my opinion, the strong point of the story is its analysis of and pondering on human nature. What is it to be human? How does it feel to face a huge world and be a solitary sand grain in it? How do you cut the corners? How do you encompass it all? How do you stay yourself? What direction do you move in? It’s about openness fighting the survival instinct. The eternal questions made into a story of revolution and cognition.

Description:
Professor Arton Daghdev has pissed off the Mandate, totalitarian regime ruling over humanity, and gotten himself exiled to Kiln, an inhospitable alien world. When he arrives, he's put to work trying to unravel the secrets of Kiln's life-forms, and some mysterious ruins, alongside other former would-be revolutionaries.

Liked:
Likeable, flawed, smart humans. No pulled punches and no plot armour. An engaging and original setting, with enough to set the dystopian stage without masses of exposition about the current state of the earth. A fair few moments to keep you guessing, and a wry narrator who's not exactly unreliable, but is also prepared to pull a few tricks to keep things fresh.

Disliked:
There's a moment when the narrator eschews chronology that I think would have worked better if he were being less smart (trying not to spoil anything, here!). The actual creation of the writing on the ruins could perhaps have been delved into in more detail; by the end I knew why and what the writing was doing, but not quite how it was created or read.

Would recommend, particularly if you have enjoyed his other work.

Anything Else:
I’ve read three Tchaikovsky books now: this one, Children of Time and House of Open Wounds. All are quite different but all wound up having quite a similar theme/resolution. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but I’m interested if others have the same feeling - particularly if you’ve read books of his other than these three! Send me a message if you’ve noticed the same thing?

Like with all Tchaikovsky books, I liked the premise so much but the execution fell a bit flat for me, unfortunately.

This was my first encounter with this author’s work and as a fan of science fiction I found it fascinating. It’s a well-paced tale that draws you in with a multitude of questions that must be answered, and by the end of the book, they are, although it feels like a slow and subtle reveal and there are no, big, ‘aha’ moments. Tchaikovsky leads you by the hand, allowing you to uncover the solutions yourself before pretty much confirming what you’ve already concluded. As such, there’s no great build of tension, or big reveal; you’re more left with a philosophical question and the overriding feeling that the most frightening thing about Arton’s experience on Kiln is the nature of the human’s he’s incarcerated with and fear itself. Which honestly, given our understanding of human nature, is no big surprise.
Thanks to NetGalley and PanMacmillan Tor for the chance to read an ARC.

Opening with a bewildering and exciting planetfall in which snatches of memories come back to main character Professor Arton Daghdev, Alien Clay is taking no prisoners (somewhat ironically). “Dropping you into the action” doesn’t get much more literal than this, with characters whose names we’ve only just read in the dramatis personae offed dispassionately, Tchaikovsky making clear early on that Daghdev and his fellow prisoner’s lives are worth little in the eyes of the Mandate.

Those who are familiar with Tchaikovsky’s work will doubtless have noted some common themes recurring here; the Mandate, for example, have more than a little in common with the perfection-obsessed Palleseen of City of Last Chances, both rigid authoritarian regimes that provoke rebellion from the principal characters. Here, however, we get a much more focussed view of the rebellion, as everything is shown from the perspective of Daghdev rather than a sprawling list of players. As rebellion-centric as Tchaikovsky’s work sometimes is, it can’t be said that he’s just going over the same ground, as he’s always finding new angles to come at these subjects from. And, of course, there are the unique worlds he creates to set these revolutions on.

And what a wonderful world Kiln is. Little more than a stay of execution for most inmates, its persistent ecosystem wants nothing more than to find its way inside them and get comfortable, with predictably unpleasant results for them. Its wildlife are chimeric hybrids, composite creatures formed of a number of unique and highly specialised individual organisms working together. It’s chop-shop biology, essentially, and it’s this more than anything else that makes Alien Clay really unique. It’s brilliantly constructed world building at almost a cellular level, resulting in something which feels genuinely alien. Curiosity at what combination of mouths, eyes and tentacles Tchaikovsky is going to come up with next is almost enough to keep readers turning the pages by itself.

On top of all this though is the mystery of just who built the ruins dotting the surface of Kiln. Daghdev is perfectly placed to solve this mystery, his background as a xeno-ecologist meaning he is more capable than anyone else on the planet of providing some insight into the identities of the vanished builders. He’ll need help on the way though, in the form of a memorable supporting cast. There’s Primatt, leader of the bioscience team, walking the tightrope between the Mandate’s orthodoxy and unfettered science - or unorthodoxy - with increasing difficulty, the straitjacket beliefs of the regime rendering meaningful discovery challenging, if not downright impossible. Then there’s Keev, leader of one squad of the misleadingly jauntily named “Excursions.” They’re charged with heading off into the wilderness of Kiln to clear newly discovered ruins, a job with a staggeringly low life expectancy, justifying his grizzled and pragmatic attitude. Essentially, it’s as colourful and likeable a cast of characters as Tchaikovsky has ever assembled.

Even if some of its later revelations aren’t quite as dramatic as some might expect, this hardly detracts from another memorable and enjoyable story from a rightly revered master of genre fiction. This is a cautionary tale of lurking authoritarianism, as winningly and witheringly satirical as ever, with worldbuilding par excellence. It’s consistently thought-provoking too, and is sure to satisfy existing fans and attract plenty of new ones.

Another masterpiece from Tchaikovsky, transporting us to a world where all is not quite what it seems. Those who are sent there are either seeking answers or simply trying to survive. Thank you for this title.

"Alien Clay" propels readers into a thrilling far-future adventure, skillfully crafted by the acclaimed Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author, Adrian Tchaikovsky. Set on the planet Kiln, a prison colony under the rule of the tyrannical Mandate, this novel introduces Professor Arton Daghdev, a xeno-ecologist and political dissident whose journey to Kiln unveils a hidden secret.

As Arton explores the harsh and unforgiving terrain of Kiln, he stumbles upon the remnants of a vanished civilization, buried within a ravenous and chaotic ecosystem. The discovery raises profound questions about the planet's history and its place in the cosmos—questions that may have far-reaching consequences for both Kiln and Earth.

Tchaikovsky's narrative weaves a gripping tale of survival, intrigue, and exploration. The juxtaposition of the brutal rule of the camp commandant with the otherworldly horrors of Kiln's ecosystem creates a tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Arton's quest for knowledge and the potential transformation of two worlds adds depth to the storyline, inviting readers to contemplate the mysteries of the universe.

The novel stands out not only for its compelling plot but also for Tchaikovsky's ability to immerse readers in a vividly imagined and intricately detailed world. The blend of science fiction elements, ecological themes, and political intrigue creates a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

"Alien Clay" is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction who appreciate a thought-provoking exploration of alien landscapes, interspecies relationships, and the consequences of human actions. Tchaikovsky's storytelling prowess shines through, delivering a tale that is as captivating as it is intellectually stimulating, making this novel a worthy addition to the genre.

I have only recently read Children of Time so I was excited to receive Alien Clay prior to it hitting shelves. This book, for me, had its highs and lows.
Tchaikovsky is a master at world building, and the reality of the worlds he creates is astounding.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I was slightly perplexed by this book. I did like the concept and the imaginative aspects of Kiln biology, but I was also stuck by how similar the concept is to the author's earlier work Cage of Souls, both feature a rebel academic with an interest in ecology sent to prison. Having read the earlier work, it felt somewhat less original to me. However, I would imagine that those who have not read Cage of Souls would enjoy it more, as would those who really enjoy hard science fiction. Unfortunately, not one of the author's best works for me personally.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for this review.

Another outing for the prolific and genre-straddling Adrian Tchaikovsky, and another inventive imagined alien biota. This is a gripping novel of first contact on a distant planet, albeit made by humans who are living under the cosh of a dystopian far future polity, the Mandate. What if you were a scientist working under such a régime? You have to make your findings fit with the dominant ideology of the Mandate (think: American Taliban Manifest Destiny) — or suffer the consequences.

This is what happens to Arton Daghdev, too much the scientist to be orthodox and eventually swept up by the authorities and transported to the new Australia: the planet they call Kiln.
On Kiln are the apparent remnants of an alien civilisation, and a work camp populated by his fellow dissidents and the mediocre scientific team who were considered expendable enough to send there.
But surrounding these ancient ruins, the prisoners and the brutal security guards is a biosphere that is trying to kill them.

This deadly biosphere reminded me of the excellent Bios by Robert Charles Wilson, which is set in a similar dystopian far future and is highly recommended.

The problem for the scientists on Kiln is that nothing they are finding fits with the Mandate, so they have to produce fiction instead of science and remain far from a breakthrough. The camp commandant thinks Daghdev, the known dissident, will be brave enough to uncover the actual truth.

I enjoyed this. For the first half I was ready to give it five stars, but I did start to find the sardonic and cynical narrative voice slightly irritating in the way it withheld information and never quite came to the point. I guess this technique might be seen as a reflection of the slightly nebulous solution to the central mystery: an idea just out of reach of mere human minds. On the other hand, it did start to feel like repetitive waffle. So I subtract a star for not getting to the point a few too many times. I wonder if this is a side effect of the author's prolific output. The man clearly has more ideas than there is time to get them all on paper.

Adrian Tchaikovsky’s return to SF after the excellent Final Architecture series is a distinct change of scale and pace. It’s set entirely (well, 99.9%) on one planet instead of a vast cosmic canvas, but it also lacks that series’ pace and discipline. The story meanders and is just a little bit too baggy - it feels like a novella that has burst its banks. On the plus side, the world feels convincingly alien, the xenobiology that is the main focus of the book is never less than interesting and the chief villain has some sides to his character that lift him out of stock baddy territory. It’s a decent read on its own terms, but it’s definitely mid-tier Tchaikovsky that doesn’t reach the heights of Children Of Time or the Final Architecture.

Very fun, I love hard sci-fi and this was right up my alley. The worldbuilding was great and I loved the concept of the different planets, the story was very unique and managed to keep you interested throughout the novel. I wish there had been a little less philosophical musing and more actual plot, and I wanted more science and actual details on everything regarding the world. The story very much happened inside the mind of the main character, which was fine, but I would have liked it even more if it had been a little more action-packed. Still a good read if your into your hard sci-fi novels.

I read this in 3 days. Possibly one of my favourite books by this author, as he manages to push characters to their limit in a desperate, hard labour camp on a slightly habitable mining colony. Adrian always tinkers with hard sci-fi which often soars above my head but I always continue because he is an exceptional writer & I end up firmly back on the rails of comprehension. This book has a wintry, chilled feel & subtle imprints of The Gulag Archipelgo as the plot begins to elucidate on the characters ideological flaws & how they feel about each other once they stop dancing in the halls of academia & become part of the mining colonies hierarchy. It is a vicious book & a charmed one. Bloody loved it. Five stars. Thanks to NG & the Publisher.