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ezwolf's review against another edition
DNF’ing because I asked my friend if this was a specific book she had told me about a couple years ago and she said “yes, but remember how I said you shouldn’t read it?” And she is almost always right so I am heeding the warning and stopping here. Maybe I’ll come back and finish it some day. I was enjoying it but I trust my friend so that’s it for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Grief, and Body horror
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Confinement
Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, and Medical content
Minor: Death, War, Gore, Body horror, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Listened to this as an audiobook during a road trip and it kept me engaged the entire time. I don't think that this will be enjoyed by all since for a sci-fi it focuses more on the crew and slice-of-life moments, rather than the planets they explore, and the discoveries they make.
It does bring up the topic that there is a lot to be said about the ethics of science and experimentation. I think it all can be boiled down into something along the lines of having good intentions does not inherently guarantee that anyone/thing remains unharmed in the end or even in the midst of the process. This is true for the scientists themselves and/or their subjects.
Becky Chambers has done an excellent job of making distinct and memorable characters that feel real because the book runs the gamut of human emotions. There's quite a bit of existential dread, and it can be rather heavy at times, but it also has it's moments of fun, enchantment, excitement, joy, and happiness.
It does bring up the topic that there is a lot to be said about the ethics of science and experimentation. I think it all can be boiled down into something along the lines of having good intentions does not inherently guarantee that anyone/thing remains unharmed in the end or even in the midst of the process. This is true for the scientists themselves and/or their subjects.
Becky Chambers has done an excellent job of making distinct and memorable characters that feel real because the book runs the gamut of human emotions. There's quite a bit of existential dread, and it can be rather heavy at times, but it also has it's moments of fun, enchantment, excitement, joy, and happiness.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Colonisation, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Excrement, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
iaraya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Body horror, War, and Death of parent
The space exploration mission lasts for 80 years. The characters deal with the fact that when they return, most people they know will be dead.martinatan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Suicide attempt
Minor: Confinement, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Grief
readingsofaslinky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Dysphoria, Abandonment, and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, War, and Suicide attempt
stormwise's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I love sci-fi that focuses on exploration and discovery, and this beautiful little novella is a perfect example of that subset of the genre.
Chambers examines the relationship between the self and the species, recognising how all human accomplishments are achieved through the work and contributions of many, be it funding, designing and launching an expedition to distant exoplanets; raising, providing for and educating a future astronaut; or simply the different skills each person brings to a team. In our current climate of capitalist greed fuelled by the arrogance of "self-made" billionaires, it's pertinent to recognise how reliant we all are on the legacies of humanity.
Another major theme of the novella is metamorphosis and change - the characters physically change through the process of 'somaforming' but they also reflect on the effects of aging, experiences and trauma. Linked to this are thoughts of home and how its definition can change over time.
If you like sci-fi but you're put off by complicated science, give this a try - the science aspects were interesting and accessible, allowing the characters to take centre stage and enhancing their reactions to the story's events. This book reminded me of when I would sit up and listen in science lessons, fascinated by what we were learning.
Last but certainly not least, if you like queer characters, then I hope you like a cast comprised ENTIRELY of queer characters! The characters simply exist as queer people - it's no more remarkable than any other part of their identity. Chambers also writes a beautiful chosen family narrative, truly giving the gays everything they want.
Chambers examines the relationship between the self and the species, recognising how all human accomplishments are achieved through the work and contributions of many, be it funding, designing and launching an expedition to distant exoplanets; raising, providing for and educating a future astronaut; or simply the different skills each person brings to a team. In our current climate of capitalist greed fuelled by the arrogance of "self-made" billionaires, it's pertinent to recognise how reliant we all are on the legacies of humanity.
Another major theme of the novella is metamorphosis and change - the characters physically change through the process of 'somaforming' but they also reflect on the effects of aging, experiences and trauma. Linked to this are thoughts of home and how its definition can change over time.
If you like sci-fi but you're put off by complicated science, give this a try - the science aspects were interesting and accessible, allowing the characters to take centre stage and enhancing their reactions to the story's events. This book reminded me of when I would sit up and listen in science lessons, fascinated by what we were learning.
Last but certainly not least, if you like queer characters, then I hope you like a cast comprised ENTIRELY of queer characters! The characters simply exist as queer people - it's no more remarkable than any other part of their identity. Chambers also writes a beautiful chosen family narrative, truly giving the gays everything they want.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Animal death
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Body horror
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