"Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a science fiction novel that explores the evolution of two species, humans and spiders, on different planets. When Earth faces destruction, a group of humans embarks on a mission to terraform a new planet and create a new civilization. However, an experiment involving a virus meant to accelerate the evolution of monkeys goes wrong, leading to the unintended uplift of spiders. The story follows the parallel development of both species, highlighting their struggles, conflicts, and eventual convergence as they vie for dominance in a rapidly changing world.

In a future Earth, Joseph Schwartz, an elderly tailor from Chicago, is accidentally transported to a distant future where Earth is a radioactive wasteland. Struggling to adapt to this unfamiliar world, Schwartz becomes entangled in a political conspiracy and must navigate the complex dynamics between Earth's inhabitants and the powerful Galactic Empire. As he uncovers the truth about his own origins and the fate of humanity, Schwartz becomes a key player in determining the future of the galaxy.