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A review by queer_bookwyrm
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5 ⭐ CW: swearing
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers is book two in the Wayfarer series. I cannot express how much I am loving this series! This is the best cosy scifi I've ever read. Becky Chambers has a hold on my soul.
We get two timelines in this book: one taking place after the events of book one following the sentient AI Sidra, and one that takes place twenty years before following Pepper's story. I was kind of sad at first that we wouldn't be continuing to follow the crew of the Wayfarer, but I absolutely love what Chambers did with this story. She is a genius at writing character centric stories.
We get to see a lot more of Port Coriol and learn a bit more about Aeluons. I love that we get Pepper's backstory, and get her as a more well rounded character, as well as learning more about her partner Blue. We are also following Sidra, an AI that has been illegally downloaded into a body kit. In the GC, AI aren't considered people, so this has to be kept secret. Sidra finds being in a body a difficult transition with a lot of barriers. A lot of this story is about Sidra figuring out how to be a person which is also mirrored by Pepper's experiences as a sheltered Jane on a fringe planet.
Sidra reminds me of a more emotional Data from Star Trek TNG. The way she learns and her curiosity and wanting to understand herself and become more. Pepper's story is also one of resilience. An overarching theme of the book is about who gets rights. Just because someone is made instead of born, doesn't mean they aren't a person. I loved learning about the AI that raised Pepper. It was such a good story with a sweet ending.
So looking forward to book three!
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers is book two in the Wayfarer series. I cannot express how much I am loving this series! This is the best cosy scifi I've ever read. Becky Chambers has a hold on my soul.
We get two timelines in this book: one taking place after the events of book one following the sentient AI Sidra, and one that takes place twenty years before following Pepper's story. I was kind of sad at first that we wouldn't be continuing to follow the crew of the Wayfarer, but I absolutely love what Chambers did with this story. She is a genius at writing character centric stories.
We get to see a lot more of Port Coriol and learn a bit more about Aeluons. I love that we get Pepper's backstory, and get her as a more well rounded character, as well as learning more about her partner Blue. We are also following Sidra, an AI that has been illegally downloaded into a body kit. In the GC, AI aren't considered people, so this has to be kept secret. Sidra finds being in a body a difficult transition with a lot of barriers. A lot of this story is about Sidra figuring out how to be a person which is also mirrored by Pepper's experiences as a sheltered Jane on a fringe planet.
Sidra reminds me of a more emotional Data from Star Trek TNG. The way she learns and her curiosity and wanting to understand herself and become more. Pepper's story is also one of resilience. An overarching theme of the book is about who gets rights. Just because someone is made instead of born, doesn't mean they aren't a person. I loved learning about the AI that raised Pepper. It was such a good story with a sweet ending.
So looking forward to book three!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing