Is it cheating to recommend Anathem, regarding not set on earth? It's an outstanding novel, set on an earth-like world. If you want something more out-there, V

Is it cheating to recommend Anathem, regarding not set on earth? It's an outstanding novel, set on an earth-like world. If you want something more out-there, Verner Vinge's A fire upon the deep and its sequel are great. Or, as recommended by another poster, The Children of Time trilogy.