Children of Time is one of the best books I've ever read, it's honestly amazing. It might be my all-time favorite. Seconding this recommendation!

Thirding it! This is your sign, go read it

Ok, this was my sign.

I don't think I've been disappointed by anything from Adrian Tchaikovsky, tbh. Alien Clay and Service Model are also great.

I read Alien Clay and another book by him, which it turned out is basically the same book, which I found disappointing.

The only thing I've read of him is Elder Race, which was meh. I'll try Children of Time.