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bzliz's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.5
I had a hard time connecting with this, not through any fault of its own. Becky Chambers’ writing was enjoyable enough but science fiction has always been a genre I don’t gravitate towards. I felt a little guilty taking as long as I did to finish the audiobook since others are waiting for it on Libby but I needed to see it through to the end.
I liked the connection between the crew of the ship and the way they grew together. The way they coexist and learn how to relate to other species was interesting and I think it worked out in a positive way that made me feel like most of the characters had a satisfying arc. I didn’t mind the episodic feeling either. Each section of the book felt like it had a plot arc to complete while they completed their overall mission which finished with a bang.
Where I got bogged down was trying to keep straight all the other species and planets that factored in. That’s always been a challenge for me with this genre and I’ve been trying to expand my reading pool but I’m certain if I’d been reading a physical copy, I would have DNF’d early on. If you’re at all like me, go with the audiobook for this one.
I do think this is palatable enough for most people but anyone who goes in looking for big action sequences or the captain to be the big hero who saves the day will be disappointed. This book was much more a story of interpersonal relationships and a look at how our own prejudices can creep up on us. And although I did end up enjoying it, I won’t be continuing with the series.
I liked the connection between the crew of the ship and the way they grew together. The way they coexist and learn how to relate to other species was interesting and I think it worked out in a positive way that made me feel like most of the characters had a satisfying arc. I didn’t mind the episodic feeling either. Each section of the book felt like it had a plot arc to complete while they completed their overall mission which finished with a bang.
Where I got bogged down was trying to keep straight all the other species and planets that factored in. That’s always been a challenge for me with this genre and I’ve been trying to expand my reading pool but I’m certain if I’d been reading a physical copy, I would have DNF’d early on. If you’re at all like me, go with the audiobook for this one.
I do think this is palatable enough for most people but anyone who goes in looking for big action sequences or the captain to be the big hero who saves the day will be disappointed. This book was much more a story of interpersonal relationships and a look at how our own prejudices can creep up on us. And although I did end up enjoying it, I won’t be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: War, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Medical content, and Vomit
refrejarator's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
No joke, this is now my favourite book. I've never had one before, so this means a lot to me.
The Long Way was refreshing, healing, humorous, and reflective in ways that made my heart hurt and my chest light. This is exactly what I needed in my life.
The Long Way was refreshing, healing, humorous, and reflective in ways that made my heart hurt and my chest light. This is exactly what I needed in my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, Hate crime, Medical content, Racial slurs, War, Grief, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
Racism and xenophobia is applied to extra terrestrial creatures, does not relate to POCs. There are neo pronouns and they/them pronouns as plural (significant to plot and not derogatory)._david_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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? No
5.0
For the first time in a long while I cried while reading. Not only that, but I cried twice withing half an hour. First in a sad way, then in a happy way.
I cannot remember any book who had this many rounded characters written in such an excellent way. The whole crew of the Wayfarer was made up out of characters who each had their own unique stories and personalities. Each character was put in the spotlight multiple times without it feeling jarring.
I cannot remember any book who had this many rounded characters written in such an excellent way. The whole crew of the Wayfarer was made up out of characters who each had their own unique stories and personalities. Each character was put in the spotlight multiple times without it feeling jarring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Grief, Confinement, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol, Colonisation, Chronic illness, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Death
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Incest, War, Xenophobia, Dementia, Drug use, Gun violence, and Medical content
There is a main characters with a big focus on their clan being led by a religion/cult. The present main belief is quite similar to anti-vaccination/medicine mindsets. Character's namedaniellekat's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Masterful writing. This has never been on my radar, but I've heard SO MANY folks sing the praises of Becky Chambers - I get it now. This was exciting while still managing to be relaxing and cozy. I loved that the science felt believable and how seamlessly Chambers integrated the different critical themes and topics throughout the narrative. It took me nearly 2 months to get through this, though (when usually I can read books in a week or so). While there was nothing specific that I disliked, I think the low stakes just never had me itching to pick this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content, War, Genocide, and Vomit
ella7211's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Terminal illness
wishbea's review against another edition
How very underwhelming. I expected deep character analysis and I guess I don't understand what "cozy" is, because I don't consider the tackling of terminal illness, being held up at gunpoint and being beaten by your captors to be particularly comforting. I should've checked the content warnings for this book more closely.
The characters mostly had only one or two character traits, and anytime a minor communication issue occurred it was solved mostly off screen. The main thing I liked about this book was the budding romance between the alien and human, and basically anytime there was a focus on Sissix.
I just got too bored to finish it, really disappointed. I guess Wayfarers isn't for me.
The characters mostly had only one or two character traits, and anytime a minor communication issue occurred it was solved mostly off screen. The main thing I liked about this book was the budding romance between the alien and human, and basically anytime there was a focus on Sissix.
I just got too bored to finish it, really disappointed. I guess Wayfarers isn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Terminal illness, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
linblythe_pub22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
Moderate: Violence and Grief
Minor: Child death, Medical content, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicide attempt, War, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Sexual content, and Blood
rey_starcatcher's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
This book has become quite a comfort to me. There’s one small part that pings a personal anxiety, but I just skip over it when I re-read. It’s so worth it to experience this phenomenal story!! The cast of characters is fascinating and delightful. Everyone is so unique, but everyone is also fleshed out enough that you really do have a strong sense of them all. I grew attached to them all almost immediately. I am not one to normally re-read books, but I think I read this 3 times last year. It’s a delight, and I hope you think so too!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
Minor: Torture, Blood, and Death
dev921's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, War, Genocide, Grief, and Gun violence
miles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Absolutely loved it. There are so many things to mention and I’m already scrambling to try and remember them all for this review, but my god am I in love with the world-building in this book (and the series as a whole).
First of all, all the crew members are absolutely lovely and the ones you don’t like at first, you still warm up to (at least I did, and there was only the one for me). Either way, they are all very compelling characters and I wish we could stay with them for longer, but the book does a very good job in giving us insight into all of their personal and cultural backstories and it’s brilliantly done.
On that note, love love love all the different species and cultures Chambers has cooked up. Some very interesting stuff and lots to make you ponder about our society and how it might be changed for the better. Though I feel like for some of the things I’d love to implement, we’d have to start from scratch (which is a-ok by me tbh). I absolutely love Aandrisk family structure and relations and would honestly love to have our society work like that.
But yeah, so much good shit, 10/10 will absolutely revisit at some point in the future. Effortlessly queer. Found family. So bloody lovely.
First of all, all the crew members are absolutely lovely and the ones you don’t like at first, you still warm up to (at least I did, and there was only the one for me). Either way, they are all very compelling characters and I wish we could stay with them for longer, but the book does a very good job in giving us insight into all of their personal and cultural backstories and it’s brilliantly done.
On that note, love love love all the different species and cultures Chambers has cooked up. Some very interesting stuff and lots to make you ponder about our society and how it might be changed for the better. Though I feel like for some of the things I’d love to implement, we’d have to start from scratch (which is a-ok by me tbh). I absolutely love Aandrisk family structure and relations and would honestly love to have our society work like that.
But yeah, so much good shit, 10/10 will absolutely revisit at some point in the future. Effortlessly queer. Found family. So bloody lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, and Death
Moderate: Grief and Xenophobia
Minor: War