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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
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
A good novella, the alien life was described viscerally at times, and there was graphic imagery of murder twice, and what can only be described as a suicide attempt, or a break in the protagonists’ psyche. It got disturbing at parts like that which stood awkwardly between moments of queerness and camaraderie of the crew and their open affection and care for each other.
I think the ending was a bit loose and very rushed, but justifiable, given it’s a novella, and I don’t think it would’ve served the purpose as a novel on its own, it would’ve dragged horrifically and been paced worse than the novella. It brings up decent philosophical points, and interesting ideas. Not quite cozy not quite low stakes, judging by the plot and ending coming out mostly bittersweet with cute moments between characters that make you wonder why they’re there when a creature is brutally murdered later on, or maybe in reverse, why it’s not entire cute and bittersweet and the alien murder wasn’t cut for length to give a better ending. It was for character development I can tell but… it was gross. I should’ve read the trigger warnings as per my usual, I skimmed through it and got through but I would’ve preferred not to watch that scene play out in visceral detail.
I liked towards tolerated most of the wayfarers series, but stopped reading the series after the third book because I realized at the end that I didn’t care about half the characters when I finished it, but Ariadne was nice, if condescending at times explaining the scientific basis of certain things.
I think the ending was a bit loose and very rushed, but justifiable, given it’s a novella, and I don’t think it would’ve served the purpose as a novel on its own, it would’ve dragged horrifically and been paced worse than the novella. It brings up decent philosophical points, and interesting ideas. Not quite cozy not quite low stakes, judging by the plot and ending coming out mostly bittersweet with cute moments between characters that make you wonder why they’re there when a creature is brutally murdered later on, or maybe in reverse, why it’s not entire cute and bittersweet and the alien murder wasn’t cut for length to give a better ending. It was for character development I can tell but… it was gross. I should’ve read the trigger warnings as per my usual, I skimmed through it and got through but I would’ve preferred not to watch that scene play out in visceral detail.
I liked towards tolerated most of the wayfarers series, but stopped reading the series after the third book because I realized at the end that I didn’t care about half the characters when I finished it, but Ariadne was nice, if condescending at times explaining the scientific basis of certain things.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A quiet science story that is so very Becky Chambers, a little haunting in the scheme of things, a lot of ethical space exploration and comfort sci-fi I entirely enjoy reading.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Complicated
So incredibly descriptive (but also so accessible) that you feel as if you are on the journey with them. The story has so many brilliant details that make it come alive and feel so real. Becky Chambers has crafted a beautiful world and clear and complex characters that inhabit vastly unique planets. Such an incredibly enjoyable read.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as Chambers’ other work, and the narrative conceit seems a bit forced. Still, this isn’t the same sci fi tale you’ve heard a dozen times over, and Chambers still works her magic of making a group of strangers feel almost like family by the end of the book. A quick read and an an enjoyable one.
slow-paced