Scan barcode
depmythmoon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The novella follows 4 astronauts: Ariadne (the FMC whose name I’m still unsure how to pronounce), Jack, Chikandi, & Elena. They are sent on a mission to study planets beyond Earth’s solar system. Their trip there takes them 14 years—though they have something called ‘torpor’, which is similar to cryosleep without the ice; it slows their aging so that it’ll feel more like 2 years for them. The mission they’re on will last them a total of 80 years, but they get communications from Earth to hear about what happens in their absence.
This novella isn’t like your typical story that is action-packed or full of twists and turns. It’s not meant to be that, I’m sure. Rather than tell you of some alien that challenges the crew or life or death scenarios, this novella is more of a slice-of-life for astronauts. If you’ve ever been curious about the profession and what it entails, this will be the book for you. We keep track of the discoveries the group makes and get some detailed explanations of how they have to categorize this new information. So, if you’re jumping into this novella expecting a tale of alien civilizations or conquering planets, this may not be the read for you.
I wasn’t expecting it when I started reading, so I did find myself a bit bored for the first 50 or so pages, but I did get more enjoyment from it when the main conflict is introduced. The real enjoyment came when the story was ending. This is a novella that aims to make you think, and it leaves you pondering if the pursuit of knowledge is worth it. I love when reads make me question things in real life, so I found that the ending gave me a second wind of enjoyment. This novella also touches on our, human, impact on the environment. It points out that while there are dangers to us in new environments, we also have to recognize the dangers we cause knowingly and unknowingly. I enjoyed it.
Overall, the majority of the content in this book is mundane and tame compared to other books in the sci-fi genre, but the thoughtfulness and introspection it leaves you with are worth the read, in my opinion.
This novella isn’t like your typical story that is action-packed or full of twists and turns. It’s not meant to be that, I’m sure. Rather than tell you of some alien that challenges the crew or life or death scenarios, this novella is more of a slice-of-life for astronauts. If you’ve ever been curious about the profession and what it entails, this will be the book for you. We keep track of the discoveries the group makes and get some detailed explanations of how they have to categorize this new information. So, if you’re jumping into this novella expecting a tale of alien civilizations or conquering planets, this may not be the read for you.
I wasn’t expecting it when I started reading, so I did find myself a bit bored for the first 50 or so pages, but I did get more enjoyment from it when the main conflict is introduced. The real enjoyment came when the story was ending. This is a novella that aims to make you think, and it leaves you pondering if the pursuit of knowledge is worth it. I love when reads make me question things in real life, so I found that the ending gave me a second wind of enjoyment. This novella also touches on our, human, impact on the environment. It points out that while there are dangers to us in new environments, we also have to recognize the dangers we cause knowingly and unknowingly. I enjoyed it.
Overall, the majority of the content in this book is mundane and tame compared to other books in the sci-fi genre, but the thoughtfulness and introspection it leaves you with are worth the read, in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Animal death
Minor: Grief, War, Mental illness, Torture, Vomit, and Death
hexe_19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
emmablue's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, and Grief
Moderate: War
theheartisawaffle's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
I don't think there's a single author (that I've found thus far) who makes me see the world with such new eyes as Chambers does. I loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness and Animal death
Minor: Sexual content
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
This book made me cry at the end. I loved these four astronaut scientists.
I thought it was a very lovely look at what life may be out there on other plants, how to respect those life format other humans , etc. it was also deeply emotional regarding how the main characters relate to our transient and dying world.
I thought it was a very lovely look at what life may be out there on other plants, how to respect those life format other humans , etc. it was also deeply emotional regarding how the main characters relate to our transient and dying world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
cookiecat73's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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
4.75
Loved this!! I had a couple of nitpicks, but overall I thought it was great, the main thing I want to be different is that I would have liked it to have been longer, it didn't even need to have extra plot thrown in, I just liked reading about these characters and this world
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Confinement, Cursing, and Medical content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, and Grief
Minor: Blood, Death, War, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Alcohol, Excrement, and Sexual content
ladynocturnal's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Astronaut reflects on the the meaning and ethics of space travel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
sproutedpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Confinement
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
sektaufeis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.5
Ich habs wieder mal geliebt - wie alle Becky Chambers Bücher. Sehr wholesome und toller Stil, gutes world und character building. (:
Es geht auch mehr um Wissenschaft, was ich toll fand!
Warnung abstrakter Spoiler als content note : Stimmung wird sehr negativ ab bzw. vor allem in Kapitel 3 , es geht dabei auch um Depression, Suizidgedanken
Es geht auch mehr um Wissenschaft, was ich toll fand!
Warnung abstrakter Spoiler als content note : Stimmung wird sehr negativ ab bzw. vor allem in
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol
gracek67's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual content and Animal death