The first book in the series, Children of Time, is also fantastic. It's regarding a species of artificially intelligent spiders (intelligence accelerated by an "ancestral memory" based down genetically). He provides some really great takes on how their technology differs from humanity. Almost all of their scientific progress happens biologically instead of using silicon, so things like computing is achieved through manipulating ants using their pheromones', and combustion/metals don't really exists in any meaningful way, replaced instead with ultra-light-but-strong materials with tensile strength as the energy method.

I really enjoy Adrian Tchickovsky's work in general. Just a couple of weeks ago I finished his Shadows of the Apt 10 books series, and his world building is fantastic. I'd highly recommend his books for the Fantasy/Sci-Fi enthusiast.

Tchaikovsky's books convey an extraordinary depth of empathy and intellect, knowledge and imagination. I just finished the 10-book Shadows of the Apt series... highly recommended.

I came to say this, excellent book. And to add to user rob74's comment in this thread: If memory serves, in the book, one of the procedures to uplift the species was to lengthen their lifespan artificially so octopi could enter some "teaching feedback loops".

Add Iain M. Banks The Algebraist (his only non-culture sci-fi, as far as I know). Much of the book takes place in a gas giant populated by a race of long-lived creatures that are basically two octopi glued together.

Came here for this. He is unparalleled IMHO at putting you in the mind of the creature. His latest Children of Memory is eerie with its timing with ChatGPT getting big.

i was going to say that i've read most of his books and enjoyed all of them, but i i keep coming across new ones (and enjoying them)! golly, is this guy ever productive!

Wow this is cool. I just made a comment on how the aliens in sci-fi movie Arrival were awesome Octopus looking aliens called heptapods.