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youngthespian42's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounded up. This setting and cast did not grip me as much as the first two wayfarers books. A Close and Common Orbit took a long time to get going but it took off when it did. This book felt like it was missing the reveal backstory or plot device that drove the last one. It meander with a cast of POVs like the first one, but I didn’t find these characters nearly as interesting. It still has a lot of the Beck Chambers charm and original Star Trek vibe, but I think this one is skippable.
thefantasticalworldofsara's review against another edition
4.0
I think Becky Chambers is one of my favourite authors now because everything I've read by her is so warm and lovely!!
Record of a Spaceborn Few takes place in the same universe as the Long Way to a Small and Angry Planet only it focuses on the Exodans (aka humans) who had to abandon earth once it was uninhabitable. It was great to learn about the humans and how they operate outside of a planet; plus because it's told through different perspectives you really get to know the fleet which was SO COOL!!
One of my favourite quotes from the book is this: "'Our species doesn't operate by reality. It operates by stories. Cities are a story. Money is a story. Space was a story, once."
Really recommend this book and this series!
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries.
Record of a Spaceborn Few takes place in the same universe as the Long Way to a Small and Angry Planet only it focuses on the Exodans (aka humans) who had to abandon earth once it was uninhabitable. It was great to learn about the humans and how they operate outside of a planet; plus because it's told through different perspectives you really get to know the fleet which was SO COOL!!
One of my favourite quotes from the book is this: "'Our species doesn't operate by reality. It operates by stories. Cities are a story. Money is a story. Space was a story, once."
Really recommend this book and this series!
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries.
cclift1114's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Of all the books in this series so far, this one did it the least for me. I didn’t relate to the characters as much and given that these books are so character-based, it made it harder to get into. While I appreciated the concept of exploring what a society like this would look like, I would have appreciated a bit more of a plot and conflict to have the characters work around.
slawler's review against another edition
5.0
Although not as exciting or novel as Angry Planet, I think this was a very poignant, heart-felt story, and an important piece of the Wayfarer universe.
Chambers explores what it means to be human in a deep and emotional way, achieved partially through the galactic context and alien lens of the universe she has built, and partly through the varied character POVs.
I also noticed many of the themes Chambers had gone on to explore more in the Monk and Robot series, as fledgling concepts in this novel.
I was moved by the tender way the themes of life and death were explored. I found the experience of reading this to be a quiet meditation and a welcome reminder on the humbling nature of a broader perspective than the day to day.
"The guilt lingered, even so. Ghosts were imaginary, but hauntings were real." (p. 251)
Chambers explores what it means to be human in a deep and emotional way, achieved partially through the galactic context and alien lens of the universe she has built, and partly through the varied character POVs.
I also noticed many of the themes Chambers had gone on to explore more in the Monk and Robot series, as fledgling concepts in this novel.
I was moved by the tender way the themes of life and death were explored. I found the experience of reading this to be a quiet meditation and a welcome reminder on the humbling nature of a broader perspective than the day to day.
"The guilt lingered, even so. Ghosts were imaginary, but hauntings were real." (p. 251)
leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
alskn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
erhwang's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lilyjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
deliriumwartner's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
savaging's review against another edition
2.0
I love a sentient mollusk more than anyone, but...
This book focuses on humans, whose ancestors were the last on a dying earth and melted down old buildings and things to create a fleet of ships and seek out other planets. As I read, a sensation crept up on me that this sweet 'cozy' story was ... evil? Like: how could Earth ever be worse than space? At least until the sun expands to a red giant in 5 billion years, space is infinitely more hostile than the most abused and poisoned earth. Does this book play into the myth of an inevitable post-earth future for humans, which in turn guides current environmental recklessness? And the humans who have returned to earth -- the Gaiists -- why are they portrayed as crazy, benighted, and violent hunter-gatherers?
The cozy tale starts feeling like Manifest Destiny on steroids. It doesn't help that the entire galaxy apparently operates on (occasionally philanthropic) capitalism.
Chambers is so smart and so creative, bucking many other bad sci-fi cliches. So the ones that remain feel even more insidious.
This book focuses on humans, whose ancestors were the last on a dying earth and melted down old buildings and things to create a fleet of ships and seek out other planets. As I read, a sensation crept up on me that this sweet 'cozy' story was ... evil? Like: how could Earth ever be worse than space? At least until the sun expands to a red giant in 5 billion years, space is infinitely more hostile than the most abused and poisoned earth. Does this book play into the myth of an inevitable post-earth future for humans, which in turn guides current environmental recklessness? And the humans who have returned to earth -- the Gaiists -- why are they portrayed as crazy, benighted, and violent hunter-gatherers?
The cozy tale starts feeling like Manifest Destiny on steroids. It doesn't help that the entire galaxy apparently operates on (occasionally philanthropic) capitalism.
Chambers is so smart and so creative, bucking many other bad sci-fi cliches. So the ones that remain feel even more insidious.