Most science fiction takes one of two stances: a positive one of exploration and discovery (Ã la Star Trek), or a dystopia where humanity is being brutally oppressed or even is the one doing the oppressing.
Adrian Tchaikovsky takes a slightly different path from either, but does tend to lean towards the negative. His books contain a brilliant impression of interstellar travel by humanity into the far future, with a refreshing sense of pessimism. ð