Tor UK to publish four new science-fiction novels from Adrian Tchaikovsky

Tor UK, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, is set to publish four new science-fiction novels from Arthur C. Clarke Award winner Adrian Tchaikovsky.

Publisher Bella Pagan acquired world rights to Children of Strife and three more science-fiction novels from Simon Kavanagh at the Mic Cheetham Agency.

Children of Strife is the next volume set in the Children of Time universe, and the new book features "epic adventure, first contact and the nature of intelligence among the stars".

The publisher described the book as an epic adventure set in the far-future after earth fell, where ark ships had hunted for a new home. It follows a ship crewed by maverick humans, spiders and a "spectacularly punchy" mantis shrimp captain as they rediscover one such world, and an ark.

The synopsis continues: "Then human crewmate Alis wakes to discover that she, her captain and the ship’s intelligence are the only ones left on their ship. But what happened to those who left to explore the ark… and the world below?"

Tchaikovsky said: "This is a very special series to me. I had an absolute blast revisiting the universe of the Portiids and their allies, and expanding it with new species, worlds and problems for my spiders (and others) to solve."

Pagan said: "The story is simply incredible, bursting with fresh ideas, page-turning adventure and extraordinary characters… and only some are human. Children of Strife will wow Adrian’s existing fans and deserves to attract an array of new enthusiasts."

Tor UK will publish Children of Strife in spring 2026. Shroud was Tchaikovsky’s most recent science-fiction novel, published in February this year.