Dying Humanity, Convergent Evolution, and The Web Children | Cage of Souls

In this quick video, we discuss one of my favorite books I've read recently. Cage of Souls is an awesome book by Sci-fi Author Adrian Tchaikovsky, its themes include, ecology, accelerated evolution, and lost history. The highlight of this novel is definitely the world-building, as the book goes on we unravel the mystery of this world and how it came to be so hostile to human life.
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🎥 Mentioned Videos
🎬 Other Playlist
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Feel free to leave a comment like and subscribe! Thanks For Watching!

[@mininoble2253]

If these jungles have big meaty monsters with sharp teeth, tusks, and claws that sounds like an ideal habitat for humans to settle. It sounds like the environment we developed in, only hotter and with us now having advanced technology instead of numbers and spears. Humans are incredibly adaptable creatures, I’m positive that given enough time a world of deserts and rainforests would still be geographically covered with people, even if not in the numbers we see today.

[@azmanabdula]

Hey dont knock spears The Macedonian phalanx is scary as hell

[@Andrew-xq7ni]

​@@azmanabdulabe careful don't say that so loud there may be a romans around

[@timothymcglynn1935]

😮🎉😮

[@azmanabdula]

@@Andrew-xq7ni The real question is "How many"

[@Andrew-xq7ni]

@@azmanabdula there's always more even if you kill them all like Hannibal they come back next campaigning season in larger numbers 👀

[@tuumef1799]

Cage of Souls sounds both fascinating and horrifying in equal measure. That description of the ocean was bleak and unsettling. The societal shift and antagonism toward science is an interesting plot direction. Thanks for the video.

[@georgedang449]

In time for Japan to release nuclear waste into the ocean. But I guess our media is censoring that. The Chinese are the only ones speaking out about it.

[@thenewkhan4781]

The book is just amazing. Tchaikovsky is a popular author but still - so underrated. Thank you for covering his books!

[@kellymoses8566]

This book kinda sucked. The parts about exploring the sub levels were neat but the rest of the book felt like several different novellas that he just mashed together. Everything about psychic powers was complete filler. The part where he runs away from literally NOTHING was just cringe.

[@meesalikeu]

i dk about that his books are probably thee most prominent in barnes & noble scfi section - and in other big bookstores.

[@kellymoses8566]

@@meesalikeu Children of Time and Children of Ruin are FANTASTIC. Cage of Souls was not.

[@eg0zb]

@@kellymoses8566 I was really disapointed by Children of Time, felt like it was a lot of build up for kind of an "handwaved" ending

[@nicolausteslaus]

He is one of the authors ever lived

[@chrisw6164]

Everyone speaks highly of this novel, good to see another reviewer I trust talking about it.

[@juliannacolombo5584]

Care to recommend one of the others you trust? Much appreciated if you could.💓✌️

[@chrisw6164]

@@juliannacolombo5584 KZbin channel named Media Death Cult.

[@kellymoses8566]

This book kinda sucked. The parts about exploring the sub levels were neat but the rest of the book felt like several different novellas that he just mashed together. Everything about psychic powers was complete filler. Everything that happens in the prison is filler.

[@summerkagan6049]

I must say that I really admire your library, both your book collection and the shelves themselves.

[@vidal9747]

I love to watch Quinn's videos before bed. His relaxing voice is very soothing to sleep to.

[@The_Wandering_Mist]

The intro music gets better each with upload. That lectern the book on is exquisite too.

[@whyonthefall5373]

Can't agree more. What a bop

[@lucimitchell6965]

I've seen a lot of your videos and have to say dude you are an excellent narrator like for real you bring the words alive and in native American lore story tellers keep the knowledge preserved be proud

[@hanloncaldwell8571]

I literally just finished reading this book a few days ago, great timing Quinn! You're the one who got me into the Children Of Time series which led me to cage of souls. Fantastic books! Keep it up, love your videos 👍

[@raistlin2k3]

i'm a simple man. i see a new Quinn's Ideas video. i click like. there's literally no bad Quinn's Ideas content ^_^

[@TheJanda777]

I stopped whatever I was doing and pressed play.

[@adino20]

I'm a simple man. I see someone asking me to sub before the video has even started, I click dislike.

[@jr2904]

​@@adino20 that's still engagement

[@justinlloyd3]

I clicked like because of your comment.

[@adino20]

@@jr2904 And? Do you think I don't want him to succeed?

[@renee_3364]

Cage of Souls is one of my favourite sci-fi novels of all time and it's so underrated. I'm so happy you covered it, and did an incredible job doing so!

[@Jarlaxleify]

So glad to see you making something on this book. It took me so long to pick it up and I'm so glad I finally did

[@mhtaki]

These are my favorite kinds of your videos. Just you explaining another awesome Sci fi novel, hitting on the highlights and overarching themes, including some quotes from the book read by you, explaining and discussing the themes while making connections to other great Sci fi works

[@DavidSiebert]

I like that this story defined what is happening as not destroying the Earth it is us changing the Earth's ecosystem. Of course, the changes we are making are probably going to have a negative impact on humanity but then maybe we will start using our brains and make things better.

[@sndspderbytes]

So far our behavior is the same as dominant bacteria in a petridish. We consume most of the resources dying from toxicity of our own waste product. Water Bears are nature's ace up the sleeve. An animal that gaurantee nature will not have to reinvent animals.

[@dxcSOUL]

We humans do use our brains :) We use them to make the earth a worse place all for short term greed.

[@theloweffortchannel7211]

Or maybe actually use the brain fully for once and take measures to crack down on undesired changes once and for all

[@portlandbluewizard2520]

I am excited for the radioactive plastic/fungus-based tardigrade-cockroach people that come after us. Maybe THEY will do something worthwhile with their time. All we will have done is give rise to the conditions that allow them to exist. And so the wheel turns.

[@reneemujica142]

@@dxcSOULnot “we” The damn billionaires and the companies that are destroying the world

[@dormindurst349]

'Thank God we're on the edge of extinction.' I have to start reading this tonight. THX Quinn

[@llpolluxll]

You're the reason I've been getting back into reading my favorite genre. I love your work and appreciate the effort that you put into this content!

[@colorsplashpaintballpark1578]

You got me interested in reading again. Your narration of The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu, was the hook. Now, I have to read this book.

[@postf4de]

Quinn!! Ive been reading Hyperion and Children of Time thanks to you❤ love your channel man

[@daviddonnelly2700]

Thoroughly enjoyed this review. You can be mesmerizing in your narration Quinn.

[@VoxClementia92]

I’m so glad this book is getting covered! Truly underrated

[@ryussjgod7148]

Your videos are the best!! I have a new appreciation for Sci Fi literature. I really started following your work after watching your extensive lore video on Nueromancer and I've been hooked ever sense. Peace!!

[@Brandon33akahk]

With so little time to fully devote myself to so many books I want to read, you're truly a godsend.

[@kellymoses8566]

This book sucked actually.

[@frododododo]

Just get the audiobook and listen at work

[@noeditbookreviews]

Neato. I'm reading this book about mass extinctions right now and it got me thinking. If humans become extinct, maybe another type of life will get the chance to evolve sophisticated cognition and rule the planet. Maybe an insect race, or who knows, maybe something more like the creatures in this book. It's happened once. Could happen again with us out of the way. Given enough time, life ahieves many awe inducing things.

[@squirlmy]

I think this ignores AI, though. Much more likely that will evolve to replace us. Also, I'm not so sure intelligence is a good survival strategy. If we reach other stars and find planet after planet of dinosaur-level cognition at best, I wouldn't be surprised.

[@YarPirates-vy7iv]

Quinn, I loved reading all my life and had read the Done series like 8 times, but I've never read a lot of sci fi. But your videos presented the books with a lot of depth (and cool atmosphere! I swear the main musical theme you use was playing in my head the whole time I was reading Hyperion). The ideas, worlds, and stories are so good! I don't know how or why I never discovered them before. So thanks for giving me the entry point into something I really have wound up enjoying a lot.

[@brentwilbur]

Wait, wait, wait... the Web Children, as described, are exactly like the creatures in Lovecraft's _The Shadow over Innsmouth,_ which are described as half-ichthyic, half-batrachian humanoid monstrosities with protuberant eyes that never seem to blink.

[@maximilianwimmer627]

my first thought as well! I mean many authors have drawn upon the mighty Lovecraft for inspiration at same point in time

[@tonoornottono]

@@maximilianwimmer627i wouldn’t go calling lovecraft mighty, he was kinda defined by his mortal terror of the world around him

[@doodleblos7983]

I haven’t watched you videos in a little bit, and I had forgotten how good you are at narration.

[@Ninmah-cx4ol]

Ótimo vídeo, eu achei muito interessante a sua teoria no final e concordo com ela os autores sempre gostam de fazer um ligação discreta entre os seus livros... estou muito ansioso pelo próximo vídeo 😸

[@zit1999]

This is just fascinating 🤩 Thanks for the short of the book!

[@Xivlex]

Hey Quinn thanks so much! I read Cage of Souls because of your video and I absolutely love it

[@HexxuSz]

One of the rare channels i have notification for

[@Solace243]

stumbled across your channel, loving the content :) im too dumb to understand books like these, but enough of a nerd to enjoy someone explaining them. Thanks !

[@claudeyaz]

Take your time to make whatever type of content you like, but I really like it when you put little hints about the next video or a little behind the scene screenshots in the community tab. It makes me start guessing about what this week's video will be

[@ImOldGreggg]

New Quinns!! AWWWYEAHHHH!!! I'll be checking this book out. Thanks my dude!

[@moji2363]

I really enjoyed "Cage of Souls" by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It was my first book from him and it reminded me of the "Book of the New Sun" series, but it was very easy to get into. I'd love to read "The Shadow of the Torturer" again, but Gene Wolfe's writing style is so dreamy and hard to gen through. Curious if it's better on second reading

[@JamesDecker7]

Depends on your reading style: I love Wolfe’s *ideas* but on second reading I found myself skipping whole paragraphs/pages (I even mark up my books I do this to if I want to read them again).😂

[@lobstrosity7163]

Book of the New Sun is legendary. There are comopanion essays for it trying to figure out wtf is happening.

[@holydissolution85]

Minimum 3x to read Wolfe's novels to catch as much as you can...pays to remember & write down some stuff sometimes.. I discovered plenty new stuff upon fourth re- read last year, almost 20 years after my first. Alzabo Soup podcast has good & lenghty explanations of most of Wolfe's books

[@squirlmy]

I think rereading the entire Book of the New Sun series works best. I recently re-read the first two, I was a teenager when I first read Shadow of the Torturer. I missed so much! This time I skipped the second two to read Urth of the New Sun, it's not as enjoyable, but explains so much of the earlier books. The time travel alone is confusing. It also changes the first book from "Fantasy with a bit of sci-fi" into firmly sci-fi territory. One amazing thing about Gene Wolfe is how much he packs into what ISN'T written or said. There's no way you can get it without rereading, even three or four times. Of course, many like their sci-fi and fantasy on the lighter side. Get a Wow! idea or two and move on.

[@squirlmy]

I was disappointed with how far the conversations diverged into what was going on with the Alzabo Soups' personal lives. There a dictionary that's helpful, as long as you get the digital version with a search function. First time I gave up trying to look up words, but with the internet at my fingers. I know more about medieval weaponry and prehistoric animals than I ever had.

[@aishalotter9995]

I read this one ‘coz of the authors other work , I found it different to his other work strange sow start but some perseverance paid off big time !!! A. C. Is becoming an author that I’m always on the look out for, he’s up there with Alistair Reynolds as a story teller. Thank you for the work you put not your videos!!! Peace out from the police state of north Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@spicyginger1203]

I wish you would do something on N.K. Jemsen's Broken Earth Trilogy. She's such a fantastic writer. Her world building is fantastic.

[@BigK0498]

12:17 I physically nodded in agreement. I’m convinced consciousness is the only thing holding the biggest things together.

[@larry_fay6995]

Consider covering Roadside Picnic by the Strugatsky brothers. it's a sci-fi novel that inspired the stalker movie and games. The naming is odd but I assure you it'll make sense once you read the book. I wasn't into novels and I heard about the book because I played the games, safe to say Roadside Picnic is what got me in love with sci-fi novels and reading in general.

[@StarshipEternity]

This story has an interesting idea. That the planet isn't being destroyed but changed. That said it does bring up other questions like how was a civilization nearing presumably a type two society so neglectful? If the Earth could rapidly evolve and direct species, why didn't it just direct humans more towards preservation? Definitely gotta be good if it gets the mind going like this so I might need to look out for this series.

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

I too, am a HUGE Tchaikovsky fan, especially of his SciFi work. It's some of the best speculative science fiction available, in my opinion. I haven't gotten around to Cage of Souls yet, but thanks to this review, it has moved up the list!

[@jamesrandall9489]

Just started the video, gotta say: I've really noticed the shift in quality as you've focused more on longer form content. It's great. Keep it up and I'll pop you a couple bucks on patreon soon

[@gterrymedJR]

Been reading realistic fiction after finishing House Of Suns, waiting for my next Quinn book plug like this! Quinn inspired me to read Hyperion, Dune, TBP, Xenogenesid, Alastair Reynolds, and so much more! Thank you Quinn, I greatly value your recommendations and analyses!

[@gterrymedJR]

Just finished reading Cage of Souls, great book!

[@hanschow5457]

This is where I come to get ideas on what to read next. Thank you very much Quinn 👍

[@timmcdraw7568]

Tchaikovsky is one of my absolute favorite authors writing today. I have read his children of time series three times now, though the last book i only read twice since it just came out. I love this book so much too, i was so excited to see that you reviewed it! You are my go-to resource when i am wondering what to read. And since i don’t have a lot of friends who enjoy science-fiction, you also one of my go-to’s to think about the books I’ve enjoyed when i wish i could think about them and their meaning. When i read cage of souls i ended up convinced that it was written into the same universe as the children trilogy. And there were times when i was reading about all the things that were happening on the earth in this book when id pause and imagine that there were, though unfathomable to the characters in the book, other planets filled with earth biome where earth species were building societies, and there were ships filled with generations of people sailing through space. I even wondered if, while the book states that the planet its self was searching for intelligence, in reality (or fiction) the virus was released on earth and thats why theres this massive push of evolution. Like maybe some human, before the fall of society, in a desperate Hail Mary released the virus on their own planet. That actually makes more sense to me for Tchaikovsky only because having the earth searching seems sort of Gia to me, sort of religious and that seems a little out of character for Tchaikovsky. To be clear, i like that too, im not judging. I dont know if Tchaikovsky meant for this to be true. I wonder. Maybe not, because he never mentioned that the people from earth were sharing it with other intelligent species. But maybe i have the time wrong.

[@graphite_grey]

I find so many books through your videos. Thank you for sharing

[@ExMachina70]

I love your articulate soft spoken demeanor.

[@ivanstryker]

I started watching this channel back in the day when it was all about ASOIAF, now it's my go to reading recommendations channel. Keep up the good work Quinn! I always check these books out and have never been disappointed.

[@Stephaniewashere5047]

I have to let you know before I came across your channel I would have said I don’t read sci fi. I enjoy watching it a bit but reading it no. I always thought it was boring or drawn out with the minutiae of world building, mythos and long list of characters. But your reviews and breakdown of different themes in this genre has caused me to add numerous books to my TBR and start reading some authors I never had an interest in. You do such a great job and I truly value your work! Thank you!

[@mattlawsonx]

Another great video Quinn! Can I ask if you are considering any further content on Three Body? Thanks.

[@TheLagdraws]

Nice work with the videos! Also I'm loving the new Intro graphics and song

[@jakekurisko6491]

Book of the New Sun/the whole solar cycle gotta be one of the best Sci Fi sagas out there. Would love to see you cover it and make more people aware of Gene Wolfe!!

[@markorahoske6931]

God a freaking love your channel, you have opened up a whole nother world to me thank you!!!

[@carlsonbench1827]

Thanks you so much for making longer videos. I must also say that your intro and request for support was nice and short and not irritating.

[@robward8247]

im so glad to hear more people talking about this book, its AMAZING

[@alphadraconis9898]

This was a great read, perfect balance of world building and a particular sense of humour was on par with Douglas Adams.

[@torque9889]

Love these short videos which are great windows into amazing books in bite sizes forms.

[@ivangutierrez7602]

I can honestly say that you have great taste, because of you I am finishing The Three Body Problem series, this one is one of the next in line, great channel.

[@greenerscenery]

Having read the achildrem of Time series and Cage of Souls,i think you're spot on with your bonus theory at the end. I wonder if we'll get any other possible links. I would love to read about the collapse of a technologically advanced society.

[@TitularHeroine]

I am convinced, Quinn! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@dank_smirk2ndchannel200]

The idea of the expanding sun kicking evolution into overdrive reminds me of the novel "Hothouse" by Brian Aldiss.

[@NumeriSuntDeus]

My first Tchaikovsky book and it made me a fan of his work. The feeling I got while reading it is so contradictory, small & inconsequential but hopeful at the same time.

[@rafm3068]

I used this video as a way to finally decide to order Cage of Souls! Can't wait to read!

[@resistanceisfutile520]

It’s been a long time since you posted Quinn, haven’t been seeing your videos recommend recently. Thanks for this post!

[@tamerlaaane]

Cage of Souls is my favorite Tchaikovsky and i can also very much recommend Dogs of War. Great video!

[@enriquekahn9405]

Your video on Children of Time introduced me to Adrian Tchaikovsky's (sp) books and I will never forget it. I thought I was done with modern scifi when Iain Banks passed.

[@ComboDamageTV]

I need more details about those Web Children! Great video!

[@spaceman9599]

Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite authors, superb vision and writing! Thank you for putting this on my list!

[@kellymoses8566]

This book kinda sucked. The parts about exploring the sub levels were neat but the rest of the book felt like several different novellas that he just mashed together. Everything about psychic powers was complete filler. Everything that happens in the prison is filler.

[@robotxul]

I'll be getting into this book next week, I haven't even opened it and I love it already. From the sounds of it I think too am going to crave more web children history and other life form details that aren't there, but that's ok, that just means the author did a great job at peaking interest in an idea and getting the imagination to crave more, like a good book does. Who knows, in the future we may get a book where he gets into these ideas more. He does seem to refer to past books in a historical manor as a timeline of sorts. Thanks Q, great job as always.

[@JC-sg1ns]

Saw your earlier video on Children of Time, then read the book. Best thing to happen to me this year

[@KellyDuggan-q6q]

Love your channel, and love how you do a lot of exploring different Sci fi concepts. Keep up the work Quinn

[@ThatOliveMrT]

This is my first view. Your title was so abstract it hooked me lol. Let's see how the rest holds up. I've got all week

[@kriano2436]

Ah Quinn, you are such a nerd, never change we love you

[@CCowleyMedia]

Still making my way through Dune, CoT up next already... Adding this one as well. Thanks for another great video

[@Banzai431]

Oh... How interesting. Going to have to check it out now.

[@sciencefictionreads]

I loved this one. Wouldn't mind a return to this setting!

[@Tristyn_Waterman]

I feel the same! I want more narrated by Stefan Advani!

[@PenRippyJr]

totally awesome that you’re focused on longer videos

[@americangamer1632]

I love all of tchaikovsky's books, he does different animal ecology really cool

[@williamcoleman496]

I love trying to fit Tchaikovsky books into one universe; I had that thought too.

[@humanity600]

Will definitely be looking forward to more content on this.

[@dushanbrown4844]

the web children really remind me of the frog creatures from the Mignolaverse, the forgotten history bit also reminds me of the ancient world of hyperborea from the Mignolaverse

[@alexco621]

Really love your vids!! Keep it on!!! Didn't know this book! Got to read it now!

[@youknowwho9741]

So happy I found this channel

[@lfemomo77]

Quite frankly, the most haunting & enrapturing YT intro music

[@uncutgems91]

You've got to do a long form video of this like you did but Dune where you go ove the whole novel! I'm talking character voices, I'm talking scene breakdowns, personal thoughts of the ideas explored. It would be dope

[@IzzersKeeper]

Great video, as always… Thanks for posting! 😁

[@SHrepairs]

Discovering emergence large scale, is like feeling the breeze and understanding the weather, you know something is going on somewhere near and far. I believe in causal systems, and symmetries. From my brief glimpses, and the reactions of interested parties.

[@Rosa20214]

🎉🎉I love this author, and I think children of time is one of the best novels of recent years , thanks for the recomendation

[@grandsome1]

Adrian Tchaikovsky is a book machine, and they're good too. His fantasy setting are great too, he's starting a new series with Cities of Last chance but his older series Shadows of the Apt and Echoes of the Fall are awesome too.

[@josevalero3543]

So many books you put in my list to read... love your channel man

[@A_picture_of_Mohammed]

Man I really love this channel... I'm dyslexic and because of that I'll never read alot of the books Quinn talks about but fucken love to hear about some of the higher ideas and concepts...I've been watching you for a while and really like the slight shift to longer form stuff..but whatever you do I'll probably keep watching

[@MichaelSBaram]

I am not sure that it's really your style, but I would love to see you cover the "The broken earth" trilogy.

[@severian1916]

Hey Quinn do you know your fellow you tuber Outlaw Bookseller? By Stephen E Andrews? He has an amazing grasp of SF history from 39 years of professional bookselling. He doesn't do what you do but hes a brilliant complement to your wonderful essays. You guys give me so much joy Thank you for everything you do

[@Drone3vil]

Just read this last month, great book great vid

[@maskedlongshadow17]

Love your style bro, love your channel ! Keep it up my Dude

[@spacebees86]

I love spotting other books on your shelf. Alistair Reynolds, Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, Jeff Vandermeer, Joe Hill, Chixin Liu. I'm gonna dumbly ask this before looking through your older videos, but have you read any John Scalzi? Or Karen Traviss' non-star wars work? NK Jemisin? James Corey?

[@MiharuHiramu]

Good video, I'm gonna get this book from the library now.

[@wilfredoUbatuba]

Nice intro music, even better than the previous one. Thanks for the video

[@ganderson2797]

10:48 "That's a whole other bag of cookies" 😂

[@themanfromerf]

Quinn, I can't remember if I've ever seen a Quantum Thief video from you, but if you've never read the trilogy, its an absolute must. I think the titles are The Quantum Thief, The Fractal Prince and The Causal Angel. Author is Hannu Rajaniemi. Absolutely excellent. ...I can't help but think I might have heard you talk about it lol, but just in case. Great vid, keep up the good work.

[@jonrobot1731]

Just found your channel. Loving it.