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thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you told me you hate Becky Chambers’ books because you found them boring I’d probably just say “fair enough.” This is essentially slice-of-life sci-fi, and I suspect (know, really) that that is not going to work for a lot of people. However, I personally absolutely love the way Chambers crafts characters and builds worlds. Something about her books just feels so comforting and cozy to me. They feel familiar even though I’ve never read them before, and I can’t help but love them. This book in particular I didn't like quite as much as The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, but I chalk that up mostly to this being a novella and me not having as much time with the characters. Effectively ,this is not a book for everyone (it's kind of slow, and it's much more concerned with theme than with plot), but it is very much for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Cursing, and Sexual content
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This reminded me a bit of the episode of the Jordan Peele Twilight Zone where a team of astronauts launch into space just as nuclear armageddon begins. What decisions do you make when you don't know what is going on back home? Are they all really dead? Do we have a right to take the opportunity to fly away and make a new life elsewhere? It gives the reader a decision to make at the end, but I don't think it's easy to take directly. The Earth in that story at that point in time has experienced a geomagnetic storm from a solar burst that knocked out all technology. We as readers don't know what that resulted in, and I feel inadequate to make the call: do we bring the astronauts home or send them to a new habitable planet? I do think this book makes a beautiful case for exploration for the sake of sating curiosity, we all want to know what's out there. It takes into account that it is not selfish to worry more about our own planet before we look to others, as well as people using technological advancements for their own gains, be it money or fame or ego. I think it is human nature to want to know more, especially when we feel so isolated and alone in our galaxy. I really love the bonus content in the back, interviewing her astrobiologist consultant (and mom) which shows why Chamber's stories read a bit like The Martian but not down to every mote of dust and without so much pretension. It really blends where our understanding lies now and where it could lead, while taking a few liberties for the sake of wonder. Temporary evolutionary editing sounds dope as hell, I want to go to a 2G planet just so my little chip will make me jacked. I want to be able to absorb space's ambient radiation as a fuel source!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Cursing, and Animal death
abookwormspov's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A very thought-provoking novella from Becky Chambers! There is curiosity, joy, fear, hope, despair, grief, and introspection. It it not filled with excitement and adventures through space; it's the day-to-day, week-to-week studies of extraterrestrial life and the mission to "catalogue, not to colonise."
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook, as it truly felt like listening to Ari's field notes and recordings.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook, as it truly felt like listening to Ari's field notes and recordings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Confinement
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Grief
t_higgsreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
4.75 Stars
CAWPILE = 8.82
CAWPILE = 8.82
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Confinement, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Vomit
chloetremain's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a fascinating sci-fi novella from Becky Chambers with an ending that I didn’t anticipate. It started a bit slow but was definitely worth reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Grief, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
There is not a content warning tag for it, but containsaddie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Confinement
Moderate: Grief and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content
ijustreallyliketrees's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, and Suicide attempt
beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Becky Chamber's writing is always such a treat. And 100% would've wanted to grow up to be Ariadne when I was a kid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Grief
Minor: War, Medical content, Sexual content, and Death
librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I am filled with existential anxiety, but I adore the crew of the Merian. Ariadne is a fun narrator, Elena and Jack add necessary tension, and Chikondi is easy to love. The amorous dynamics of the crew are really neat, and I love how they differ from humanity as it is now. Collectivism and honoring the goals, sacrifices, and ethos of the organization they've loved and believe in overall is a fantastic way to tie up a thought provoking story.
This concept could have easily sent me down a panic spiral, but the groundedness of the crew and their tender and sincere humanity makes this story as comfortable as it can be, given the circumstances.
This concept could have easily sent me down a panic spiral, but the groundedness of the crew and their tender and sincere humanity makes this story as comfortable as it can be, given the circumstances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Animal death, Confinement, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts