A review by ehmannky
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful 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

5.0

I think it's hard for sequels to live up to the premise of the first novel, but A Closed and Common Orbit just blew The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet out of the water for me. And that is saying something because I liked that book quite a lot. It's a book about personhood and family and battling the abusive systems that make us with the power of community and the family that we choose. It's about tackling our biases about ourselves and others. It's about healing from the grief that comes when your life gets radically changed in a way beyond your control (I read Sidra's struggle to adapt to being in a body very analogous to learning to adapt to my own disabilities) that disconnects you from your body and personhood. And it's just a book with empathy and kindness at its core. A beautiful read.
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