u/ElStrawFedora

I've been a fan of the Children of Time series for many years now, and being extremely hyped for Children of Strife, rather than just doing one simple art piece, I decided to make one for each part of the book. While a daunting task, what a fun adventure its been! 🦠

Thank you to everyone for the support over the past 2 weeks! It means so much to hear others inspired to also create, and I've loved hearing how everyone's headcanons differ.

I've gotten several requests to draw other AT works next, but this was more of a detour from my other projects, so I won't be able to do any other books for now. (I occasionally post non-AT scifi art on other socials) But rest assured I will be back if/when AT releases another "Children of" book! Check out my other CoT art if you haven't yet.

My Thoughts on the Book:

In my opinion, Strife is easily the most well-rounded story in the series so far. I remember Memory's reception being weak at release, but I think as time's passed its regarded thematically as one of the strongest, and I think the same applies for Strife. What Strife does even better is juggle strong character dynamics and a large scale adventure narrative at the same time. The characters between ages felt connected thematically in ways that earlier books (save maybe Time) didn't.

On Common Complaints I've Read:

Regarding the contrast between the portrayal of the Imir simulation in Memory vs in Strife, I think its important to remember the context of the characters involved. For Miranda, the "reality" of the simulation was a question of identity and consciousness. For Alis, the simulation was nothing more than a tool for ego-stroking wish fulfilment. These ideas aren't mutually exclusive and make for a great nuanced discussion on topics like AI and identity. Also, I've been seeing some Nodan haters out there. Its fair to not want a deus-ex-goop-monster to end every story, but imo the Nodan organism is one of the most emotionally and thematically rich characters in the series... So hop off my goat lol

Critiques:

I think a few characters deserved a more capstoning moment. For example, Portifabian and Alis both suffer in a way that directly parallels the pantheon. In the end, their "resolution" seems to just be "you gotta live with it", which may be realistic, but feels less substantial when the characters aren't presented with any choice. Part of me also wishes we could've had a chapter with the second age ark crew and the pantheon really interacting. Like the birth of the culture surrounding The Life.

That's all for now. I hope everyone's enjoyed the art! Please let me know if there's any one piece you liked most!

That's all folks!

What a great story. I'll share my thoughts together in a full compilation post with all the pieces (+ maybe an extra sketch or 2) tomorrow.

I tried fitting as much of this climactic moment as I could in here, but it got a bit messy. Hopefully people can tell what's going on.

PS: I'll be busy most of tomorrow so the final part probably won't be til day after tomorrow 🙏🏽

Ahhh Alis is touching Cato and not getting pulverized into minced Alis-meat!! The character developmenttt 😭

Adrian, you son of a gun, you've done it again 🙌🏽

Mira(and Miranda in CoM)'s story gets me so emotional. Wanting to just exist with your chosen identity and being violently rejected wherever you go is a feeling I know many people can relate to 😢

Today's another sketchy one because I've done enough pristine blue sky colored ones this week.

Apologies in advance if the art quality starts to dip. Im trying to hurry to finish this before the looming burnout comes to get me.

PS: Is this part the first time the Nodan goo is described as orange? I cant recall if my purple depictions are based on the text or alien goo stereotypes.

The face on this dude was tricky. Originally was gonna have him look at Kieraven, but I think looking at the viewer is creepier.

I tried giving him a creepy smile too, but it just made him look silly 😭

Pil's death was... greatly exaggerated.

Useless fun fact: all the faceless identities here are my fanart renditions of characters in previous books.

There's something rly captivating about Kott and Pil. Kott has such a capacity for outward darkness but never gets the chance to express it, almost as if she's being spared. Pil, for all his darkness in his last days, has such a soft spot for Kott, who utterly despises him 😢 so much bittersweet between the two of them...

The lighting for this one was soo tough.. Took longer than I'd hoped

This was a real tough one! AT describes this creature in vivid detail, but still had to make a lot of design choices. For the head shape, I tried blending Hartmand's lions tigers and bears (oh my!) into one.

I figure in a later part I'll learn if I was right or not.

We got the full look at Hartland!! (name change pending, i hope)

Yes it's technically on the cover, but it doesn't have the beanstalks!! Thats the most important part!

We finally got a POV of Second Age Earth! Alas, AT doesn't tell us much about it visually, so I took a lotta creative liberties. I'd love to hear how other readers envision it!

I was considering skipping drawing this part, but Adrian finally put some emotional weight behind the end of the Ancients, and I think that's worth drawing.

(Also for all you Old Pil truthers out there, I slapped another 10 years on him)