I think the other recs are good. Either I’ve fallen out of the SF market or I had genuinely never heard of the non-Weir books. I have to give that caveat because Project Hail Mary has been pushed on every storefront I can think of for years because I like SF and I’ve only recently moved off storefronts.
Man, I had such a hard time with Hail Mary. I tried twice to get through the first two chapters, giving up each time out of frustration. When, under sustained pressure from a friend, I forced myself past that block, I mostly enjoyed the story, but got frustrated again near the end.
I think Weir just isn't an author for me.
Sorry; I was triggered by the graphic. It's not only not a "must read," but also one I wouldn't recommend. Although, I admit I'm in a minority, and most of my friends liked it. I absolutely loathed ASoFaI as a poorly disguised, worse knock-off of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and it was hugely popular.
Quite well, if I'm any measure. I discovered them late(r) in life; I don't read much fantasy since my teenage years. I think I was in my 40's when I read them, and I loved them.
Children of Time is by a different author, though - Adrian Tchaikovsky. I generally like all of Tchaikovski's work, and he's noticeably maturing as a writer, and getting better, with each novel. Time had some (IMHO) weaknesses that are missing from later novels in the series, but it's still a very good book.
Children of Time was fun. Interesting writing techniques, some rich perspectives of various levels of consciousness. As a recovering arachnaphobe I heartily recommend it haha