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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
Becky Chambers does it again, folks.
Record of a Spaceborn Few is the third book in her Wayfarers series, and her writing style is filled with compassion and enthusiasm for the intricate world - or in this case, galaxy - she has created.
These books are not for those who like their plots fast-paced. Indeed, for the first two-thirds of Record, there is hardly any plot at all.
I would normally count myself among those who prefer a fast pace, but for Becky Chambers I've learned to make an exception. Her books are slow, for sure, but for me, I find the worldbuilding to be incredibly detailed and endlessly fascinating, so I don't get too bored.
Such was the case - yet again - for Record. It took time for me to readjust to the pace, the terminology used in this series, but once I did, I found myself intrigued and absorbed.
Chambers uses Record to explore the concept of something with which we are all familiar: what makes us human. And here's the genius thing: she does this from the point of view of the descendants of the original humans who abandoned earth when it became uninhabitable, and built giant space ships to live in. The characters here are largely human, with a few notable exceptions which I won't spoil here.
I've read criticism that the vision of society depicted in Record is too idealistic to be believable, and I agree that argument has some merit. But for me personally, I'm willing to accept this idealised view, mostly because in the world we live in now, I like to be able to imagine a society where people work and live in harmony with one another. It's a fantasy, sure, but in my opinion we all need a little escapism from time to time.
To sum up, this book shows us Becky Chambers in peak form, and I look forward to reading the final book in the Wayfarers series, The Galaxy and the Ground Within.
Record of a Spaceborn Few is the third book in her Wayfarers series, and her writing style is filled with compassion and enthusiasm for the intricate world - or in this case, galaxy - she has created.
These books are not for those who like their plots fast-paced. Indeed, for the first two-thirds of Record, there is hardly any plot at all.
I would normally count myself among those who prefer a fast pace, but for Becky Chambers I've learned to make an exception. Her books are slow, for sure, but for me, I find the worldbuilding to be incredibly detailed and endlessly fascinating, so I don't get too bored.
Such was the case - yet again - for Record. It took time for me to readjust to the pace, the terminology used in this series, but once I did, I found myself intrigued and absorbed.
Chambers uses Record to explore the concept of something with which we are all familiar: what makes us human. And here's the genius thing: she does this from the point of view of the descendants of the original humans who abandoned earth when it became uninhabitable, and built giant space ships to live in. The characters here are largely human, with a few notable exceptions which I won't spoil here.
I've read criticism that the vision of society depicted in Record is too idealistic to be believable, and I agree that argument has some merit. But for me personally, I'm willing to accept this idealised view, mostly because in the world we live in now, I like to be able to imagine a society where people work and live in harmony with one another. It's a fantasy, sure, but in my opinion we all need a little escapism from time to time.
To sum up, this book shows us Becky Chambers in peak form, and I look forward to reading the final book in the Wayfarers series, The Galaxy and the Ground Within.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Racism, Medical content, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
There are detailed descriptions of the ritual Exodan practice ofracheleanne06's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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
Although I didn’t quite love this book as much as I did ‘a close and common orbit’ (that one is hard to top for me though, I absolutely adored it), this book was still wonderful.
Wayfarers is a science fiction series, set in a time and place very far from our own. Yet the stories, the emotions and the people are so real and recognisable. And I just want to eat up every single detail of this universe that Becky has created, as I have mentioned before, she has the most incredible imagination.
I never thought I would enjoy a character-focused series so much as I do this one (I have always favoured plot-based books in the past) but Becky has really changed that for me.
I am sad I only have one more book left to read.
Wayfarers is a science fiction series, set in a time and place very far from our own. Yet the stories, the emotions and the people are so real and recognisable. And I just want to eat up every single detail of this universe that Becky has created, as I have mentioned before, she has the most incredible imagination.
I never thought I would enjoy a character-focused series so much as I do this one (I have always favoured plot-based books in the past) but Becky has really changed that for me.
I am sad I only have one more book left to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Drug use
Moderate: Bullying
addie's review against another edition
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Abandonment and War
andloveistoolong's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and War
beereads27's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying
ok7a's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Xenophobia
Minor: Grief and Colonisation
librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
This book is a wish for a kinder future. It's optimistic while still being firmly rooted in realism. Sawyer's story arc and death, while upsetting, was realistic. It was a great catalyst for the changes made to the way that the fleet treats the returning descendants of former residents. I'm glad that we got to see more of Sunny and Eyas as friends beyond their work. Tessa being able to create a home in which her family feels safe and Isabel training Kip to continue the living memory of the fleet feel like a perfect way to round off the book. one of the things that I love the most about these books is that our heroes aren't fighting to save the universe. They're not struggling against a catastrophic war. And in the rare cases they're escaping apocalypse/catastrophe, what we see isn't statistical odds and the military. We see people surviving and thriving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Colonisation
Minor: Alcohol
gdikrum's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
katieo156's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
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
4.0
I started this series with the fourth book, and I'm sad to be finishing it now. This felt darker to me than the others- while the rest allude to violence and war, it didn't feel as close as Sawyer did. I thought the topic of death was very well handled, and as someone who isn't religious I liked the importance and tradition laid upon the rituals surrounding life in this story. I didn't think I'd be as interested in a book focused on humans compared to the rest of the stories in this world (I know humans!) but this was another lovely look into humanity and tradition and how they intersect. Will definitely be reading whatever Chambers puts out next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
healnotslay's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I love the cosiness of Becky Chambers books even if I only read one wayfarer book every 2 years.
The disparate storylines in this one kind of threw me a little but I think thematically similar?
I was super shocked that Sawyer died for real though I genuinely didn't realise until Kip overheard that conversation like I thought maybe he'd just opened a weird door..
Eternally hopeful as all Chambers' books are, sometimes in ways that beggar belief but I hope I'm wrong and that kindness is actually possible in our reality.
Makes me feel a bit of anticipatory grief for our planet though, like Earth is truly IT but we as a collective won't recognise it until it's beyond saving & we realise capitalism doesn't actually serve us at all.
The disparate storylines in this one kind of threw me a little but I think thematically similar?
Eternally hopeful as all Chambers' books are, sometimes in ways that beggar belief but I hope I'm wrong and that kindness is actually possible in our reality.
Makes me feel a bit of anticipatory grief for our planet though, like Earth is truly IT but we as a collective won't recognise it until it's beyond saving & we realise capitalism doesn't actually serve us at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death