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A review by deedireads
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
A Closed and Common Orbit is the sequel to The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. When I learned that it was set in the same universe but not about the same crew of characters, I was sad. And tbh, I would definitely still read a sequel about those characters specifically. But this was also so lovely that I ended up anything but disappointed! I shoulda known Becky Chambers would deliver.
The main character of this book is an advanced AI program who’s been decoupled from the ship she was created to run and placed inside a body kit. That’s illegal, though, so she goes to live with a side character from TLWTASAP, work as her assistant, and attempt to blend in. The story is about her struggle to adjust to a body that isn’t *her*, explain that dysphoria to those who love her, and forge authentic friendships of her own. At the same time, we get more and more backstory on the woman she lives with, until the two plots come together into an exciting ending.
So, that sounds very sci-fi, and obviously that’s the genre, but again, Chambers’ books aren’t about the AI or the science or space battles; they’re about characters and found family and self-acceptance. I was blown away by how much this said about real people’s experiences with body dysmorphia and society’s xenophobia through the metaphor of an AI living in a human body.
Another heartwarming, cozy, beautiful read from an author who will never disappoint me.
A Closed and Common Orbit is the sequel to The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. When I learned that it was set in the same universe but not about the same crew of characters, I was sad. And tbh, I would definitely still read a sequel about those characters specifically. But this was also so lovely that I ended up anything but disappointed! I shoulda known Becky Chambers would deliver.
The main character of this book is an advanced AI program who’s been decoupled from the ship she was created to run and placed inside a body kit. That’s illegal, though, so she goes to live with a side character from TLWTASAP, work as her assistant, and attempt to blend in. The story is about her struggle to adjust to a body that isn’t *her*, explain that dysphoria to those who love her, and forge authentic friendships of her own. At the same time, we get more and more backstory on the woman she lives with, until the two plots come together into an exciting ending.
So, that sounds very sci-fi, and obviously that’s the genre, but again, Chambers’ books aren’t about the AI or the science or space battles; they’re about characters and found family and self-acceptance. I was blown away by how much this said about real people’s experiences with body dysmorphia and society’s xenophobia through the metaphor of an AI living in a human body.
Another heartwarming, cozy, beautiful read from an author who will never disappoint me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Slavery, Animal death, and Grief