Shadows of the Apt


Shadows of the Apt is a ten-book fantasy series written by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Along with the short stories in Tales of the Apt, this series is set in a hypothetical universe populated by different "kinden," races of humans who take on the physical characteristics and abilities of various insects. A central theme of the series is the division between the "Apt," who can understand and use machinery, and the "Inapt," who possess magical abilities but cannot comprehend technology.
The story chronicles the expansion of the Wasp Empire and the attempts of the Lowlands city-states to resist it, led by the Beetle-kinden spymaster Stenwold Maker. It was Tchaikovsky's debut series, launching his career in 2008.

Development and background

Shadows of the Apt was Tchaikovsky's debut novel series, published after he had spent fifteen years attempting to secure a publishing deal. The universe originated as a tabletop role-playing game campaign named "Bugworld" that Tchaikovsky ran while studying Zoology and Psychology at the University of Reading.
The central concept of the series—the division between the magically active "Inapt" and the technologically capable "Apt"—was originally a game mechanic designed to balance character abilities. Tchaikovsky noted that in many fantasy settings, magic is superior to technology; he intended to create a setting where both forces were equally viable but mutually exclusive. The narrative arc of the series shifts from personal adventure to industrial-scale warfare, mirroring real-world advancements from the Napoleonic Wars to World War II, a progression Tchaikovsky developed to avoid the "medieval stasis" common in epic fantasy.

Worldbuilding

The universe of Shadows of the Apt is defined by the biological and cognitive differences between the various populations of humans, known as "Kinden."

The Apt and the Inapt

The central conflict of the setting is not merely political but cognitive, defined by the divide between the Apt and the Inapt.The Apt: Races such as Beetles, Wasps, and Ants possess the ability to understand, replicate, and innovate Technology. They can utilize mechanics, Chemistry, and Engineering. However, they are completely severed from the world of magic; they cannot use or sense supernatural forces, and often struggle to believe they exist.The Inapt: Races such as Moths, Spiders, and Dragonflies retain connection to the ancient magic of the world. However, they suffer from a cognitive block regarding machinery. The Inapt are physically incapable of understanding how complex machines work; a simple latch or a clockwork mechanism is perceived as confusing or invisible to them. They rely on slaves or simple tools, unable to operate the gas-powered weaponry or steam engines of the Apt.

Main series

The series consists of ten novels, published between 2008 and 2014.

''Empire in Black and Gold'' (2008)

The Wasp Empire begins its conquest of the Lowlands, attacking the city of Myna. Stenwold Maker, a Beetle-kinden spymaster in the city of Collegium, has spent years warning his people of the Wasp threat but has been largely ignored. As the Empire's agents move against him, Stenwold recruits a group of young students and allies to his cause, including his niece Cheerwell Maker, the half-breed artificer Totho, the Spider-kinden duellist Tynisa, and the Dragonfly-kinden noble Salma. They are forced to flee Collegium and travel to Helleron, uncovering the Empire's plans for a new railway that will speed their invasion.

''Dragonfly Falling'' (2009)

The Wasp Empire launches a full-scale invasion of the Lowlands. The cities of Tark and Collegium come under siege. Stenwold Maker leads the defense of Collegium, utilizing new technological advancements to hold back the Wasp armies. Meanwhile, the Wasp Emperor's sister Seda and the Mosquito-kinden Uctebri conspire in the capital, Capitas. Uctebri seeks the Shadow Box, an ancient artifact, to perform a ritual he claims will grant the Emperor immortality. Tynisa and the Mantis-kinden Tisamon are drawn into their own personal conflicts, while Salma and Totho find themselves caught in the desperate defense of Tark.

''Blood of the Mantis'' (2009)

The Wasp advance has stalled for the winter, but the covert war continues. Achaeos, a Moth-kinden seer, learns that the Shadow Box has been stolen and taken to the marsh town of Jerez. He travels there with Tisamon and Tynisa to recover it before it can be used in Uctebri's ritual. In the south, Che and the Fly-kinden Nero travel to the exotic city of Solarno to warn them of the encroaching Empire, but they become entangled in local politics and corruption. Within the Empire, the Wasp secret police, the Rekef, face internal power struggles that threaten their operations.

''Salute the Dark'' (2010)

The war resumes with renewed fury. Uctebri finally obtains the Shadow Box and attempts to enact his dark ritual in Capitas, intending to unleash ancient powers. The Wasp armies press their advantage, threatening to overrun the remaining free cities of the Lowlands. The various protagonists are scattered: Che attempts to save Achaeos, while Tisamon faces a choice between his honor and his friends. The conflict reaches a climax that results in the rise of a new Wasp Empress, Seda, and leaves the Lowlands forces battered, resulting in a temporary cessation of major hostilities but significant personal losses.

''The Scarab Path'' (2010)

Following the war, an uneasy peace holds. Che and the Wasp defector Thalric travel to the distant city of Khanaphes, a place untouched by the recent conflicts and ruled by the mysterious Masters. They discover that the city is built upon ancient secrets involving the Scarab-kinden and the slumbering Slug-kinden, who possess potent magic. As the Wasp Empire extends its reach toward Khanaphes, Che must unlock the secrets of the city to prevent it from falling, while dealing with the prejudices of the local populace and the ghosts of the past.

''The Sea Watch'' (2011)

Stenwold Maker, now a statesman in Collegium, becomes concerned with reports of ships vanishing off the coast. His investigation leads to the discovery of underwater civilizations of sea-kinden who have their own complex societies and grievances with the surface world. At the same time, the Spiderlands to the south begin to mobilize, threatening a new front in the war. Stenwold must navigate diplomatic waters and naval battles to prevent a devastating invasion from the sea while maintaining the fragile alliance of the Lowlands cities.

''Heirs of the Blade'' (2011)

The focus shifts to the Commonweal, the land of the Dragonfly-kinden, which was devastated in a previous war with the Wasps. Tynisa travels there seeking the legacy of her father, Tisamon. She becomes embroiled in the internal politics of the Dragonfly clans, who are struggling to rebuild their nation. Meanwhile, the new Wasp Empress, Seda, solidifies her power and begins to explore ancient magic to rival the technological aptitude of the Lowlands. She travels to Khanaphes to gain the power of the Slug-kinden, setting the stage for a new kind of warfare.

''The Air War'' (2012)

The Second Lowlands War begins. Technology has advanced rapidly, with both the Lowlands and the Empire developing air power. The Wasp Empire launches a massive aerial campaign, bombing Lowlands cities and changing the face of war. The story follows pilots on both sides, including the Wasp ace General Togen. The Lowlands struggle to adapt to this total war, while Empress Seda's use of magic becomes more overt and dangerous. Old alliances are tested as the sheer scale of destruction pushes all factions to their breaking point.

''War Master's Gate'' (2013)

The Wasp armies, allied with the Spiders, lay siege to Collegium once more. The city is pushed to the brink of destruction. Stenwold Maker fights to hold the alliance together against overwhelming odds. Che and Seda engage in a race to uncover the final secrets of the ancients, leading them to the forest of the Mantis-kinden and beyond. Seda intends to break the Seal of the Worm, a magical barrier that imprisons an ancient enemy, believing she can control the power within to ensure her victory and dominion.

''Seal of the Worm'' (2014)

Seda has broken the seal, unleashing the Worm and its Centipede-kinden minions from the depths of the earth. These ancient enemies threaten to consume both the Empire and the Lowlands. The war between the Wasp Empire and the Lowlands comes to a halt as both sides are forced to turn their attention to this existential threat. Che, Thalric, and Tynisa venture underground to strike at the heart of the Worm's power. Totho makes his final stand, utilizing his mechanical genius against the monsters. The series concludes with a desperate battle for the survival of all kinden and the dawn of a new era.

Tales of the Apt

Outside of the primary novels, Tchaikovsky released four short story collections through Newcon Press that expand on the history and secondary characters of the series.Spoils of War : This first collection focuses on stories set during and after the great conflict between the Lowlands and the Wasp Empire, exploring the personal toll of the war.A Time for Grief : This volume contains stories that shed light on the darker corners of the kinden world. Chronologically, many of these stories focus on the history of the world and the "Days of Lore" prior to the industrial revolution of the main series.For Love of Distant Shores : Structured around a central narrative of a traveler exploring the world, this collection acts as a series of accounts from the geographic fringes of the setting, such as the Spiderlands and the Commonweal. It is generally read after the conclusion of the main series due to its wider geographic scope.The Scent of Tears : A multi-author anthology edited by Tchaikovsky. It features stories set in his universe written by other fantasy authors alongside new material by Tchaikovsky himself.

Literary significance and critical reception

Shadows of the Apt is notable for its immense length and its reversal of standard fantasy tropes, replacing standard elves and dwarves with insect-derived humanoids.
Critics have praised the series for its original worldbuilding and the unique "Apt vs. Inapt" mechanic, which serves as a metaphor for the clash between tradition and progress. In a retrospective review, The Quill to Live described the series as being grounded in progression, highlighting how the technology evolves from crossbows to airplanes over the course of the ten books.

Thematic legacy

While Tchaikovsky later achieved broader mainstream recognition and the Arthur C. Clarke Award for his science fiction novel Children of Time, Shadows of the Apt established many of the thematic signatures found in his later work. The series highlights Tchaikovsky's deep interest in Zoology and entomology, themes he would revisit in Children of Time and Dogs of War, while the narrative transition from a magical, feudal society to an industrial, technological one mirrors the civilization-building aspects of his later science fiction.

Main series

Empire in Black and Gold Dragonfly Falling Blood of the Mantis Salute the Dark The Scarab Path The Sea Watch Heirs of the Blade The Air War War Master's Gate

Short story collections

Spoils of War A Time for Grief For Love of Distant Shores
  • ''The Scent of Tears''