Reviews with content warning for Injury/Injury detail - The Galaxy, and the Ground Within

i didn’t think the first book in the wayfarers series could be topped, but here we are! this book was so delightful. i loved it. i may have accidentally stayed up until 3am to finish it 🤭

the plot of this book is simple and easy to follow, which is a huge improvement from the previous book, record of a spaceborn few. the characters are incredibly diverse and loveable in their own way.

i adored tupo - such a cute little character, so curious and playful. the conversations about human things, such as cheese, were hilarious. but this book also dealt with serious topics, such as listening to what your heart wants, cultural conflicts, family problems, and more

i really, really enjoyed this book. i don’t read sci-fi much so the series was a tad difficult at times, as i had to get used to different systems and … uh … other space stuff … but overall the wayfarers series made for a pleasant experience!

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toffishay's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.25

This was my absolute favorite of the Wayfarers series; I read it in a day. It was so interesting to have different species stuck together and come out the other end with more understanding of themselves and others. And everything is wrapped up neatly. This was a layover for the characters, but we can see the ways that small moments and taking the time to try to meet others where they are makes all the difference. I also think that people who like Welcome to Nightvale, particularly the first book, will really enjoy this book as well.

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skudiklier's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

I absolutely love this series, and I'm so sad to have finished it. This book was so lovely, and I will never get over how well Becky Chambers combines this hopeful diverse utopia with incredible social commentary and complicated issues. There is so much to be learned from this series. Also there were several moments of wholesomeness or hope that just made me tear up (as well as a line from the acknowledgements that just. fully made me cry?? honestly rude).

I'll be recommending this series to anyone I can get to read it.

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hannahrogers's review

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adventurous 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

4.25

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jjreads331's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

I don't often rate books 5 stars, even if I love them. In my mind, rating something 5 stars means that I will continue thinking about it for years to come. And that is a high bar to clear.

The Galaxy, and The Ground Within absolutely clears it. The delicate and humane way that Becky Chambers deals with all her characters makes me want to weep, but joyfully. I love this world that she has created, one that is so similar to ours in but completely and utterly alien. Not to be reductive, but these characters, while all being (literally) alien, are filled with such humanity that you can't help but love them.

This was a wonderful end to one of my favorite series.

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softgalaxy's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This book is divine. I love her writing so much! I wish I could immerse myself in the worlds Chambers create, like a sim.

This was a very different book from the previous entry in the Wayfarer series, and a lot better in my opinion.

There is minimal plot to this book, it mostly follows the characters and their interactions with each other, in a similar tone to Chambers’s previous books. The main topic of the story is difference, how the different characters of varying species contend with this difference in light of disaster. But it wasn’t just about difference, each character was fully formed and felt very vivid.

I love Ouloo’s attentiveness and kindness. I love Tupo’s changeability and curiosity. I love Roveg’s charm and class. I love Speaker’s forthrightness and honesty. I love Pei’s fortitude and openness of her emotions.

Stunning book as ever!

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