raincorbyn's review against another edition
4.0
An amazing amount of emotion, texture, and plausible world-building packed into such a short story. Dreamy, but toeing the line of nightmare and waking back to a brutal world, and in a way that feels truthful and human. I look forward to more of de Bodard's writing.
sonofthe's review against another edition
3.0
A woman, her cousin, and her great-great-aunt go to rescue her aunt--a mind in control of a starship. A young woman grows up a foreign orphan and tries to make her way in a society where she will never belong.
De Bodard once again does some great things with identity, both self and cultural. This one didn't strike me quite as much as [b:On a Red Station, Drifting|17182955|On a Red Station, Drifting|Aliette de Bodard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356531127s/17182955.jpg|23630347], but it was still good.
NOTE: I read this as part of the 2014 Hugo Voter Pack.
De Bodard once again does some great things with identity, both self and cultural. This one didn't strike me quite as much as [b:On a Red Station, Drifting|17182955|On a Red Station, Drifting|Aliette de Bodard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356531127s/17182955.jpg|23630347], but it was still good.
NOTE: I read this as part of the 2014 Hugo Voter Pack.
quynh23's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
nancyotoole's review
4.0
The Waiting Stars tells two stories. One is of two girls growing up in an orphanage, with no memories of their past. The second tells of an attempt to reach a derelict ship. As the novelette continues, the two storylines are drawn together.
I really enjoyed The Waiting Stars, and this is mostly due to the sympathetic cast of characters. I instantly felt for Catherine, and her feeling that she didn't belong. It took me a little longer into Lan Nhen's storyline, but once I did I was completely drawn into her quest. There are some worldbuilding elements here that are quiet neat. Apparently, this takes place in a universe that the author, Aliette de Bodard, has written in before, but I have never experienced. I like this version of sentient ships, and the two different societies presented here. I saw the ending coming, but still felt that it was emotionally impactful.
The Waiting Stars is short, but powerful. I hope to read more fiction by de Bodard in the future.
I really enjoyed The Waiting Stars, and this is mostly due to the sympathetic cast of characters. I instantly felt for Catherine, and her feeling that she didn't belong. It took me a little longer into Lan Nhen's storyline, but once I did I was completely drawn into her quest. There are some worldbuilding elements here that are quiet neat. Apparently, this takes place in a universe that the author, Aliette de Bodard, has written in before, but I have never experienced. I like this version of sentient ships, and the two different societies presented here. I saw the ending coming, but still felt that it was emotionally impactful.
The Waiting Stars is short, but powerful. I hope to read more fiction by de Bodard in the future.
macthekat's review
4.0
This was a very melancholy story. It left me on such a strange note that I with just one reading am hard pressed to figure out what to think about it.
echthroi's review
4.0
I'm a little slow I guess, I didn't see the twist until pretty close to the end. I'd love to read more about this universe!
madarauchiha's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
ย โค๏ธ ๐งก ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ย my about / byf / CW info carrd: uchiha-madara ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐งก โค๏ธ
This hit me, emotionally and literally and spiritually, in that weak spot I call 'am I still asian if I'm this distant from my own culture because my parents wanted me to be American'.
I've read most of the Xuya Universe novels, which might be slightly necessary to understand some of the world-building. Not required at all, imo, as the author is pretty clear and well spoken. The plot stands well on its own, and you don't need to read the other novels set in this universe.ย
It's more like a stand alone story set in the universe, much like others. All the same, I would encourage people to pick up other novels from this universe. It's such a gorgeously developed world.ย
Content warnings:ย
minor ethnic cleansing,
medium kidnapping,ย
major pregnancy, childbirth, gore, medical scenarios, unsanitary, body horror, child abuse, cultural genocide, suicide.
This hit me, emotionally and literally and spiritually, in that weak spot I call 'am I still asian if I'm this distant from my own culture because my parents wanted me to be American'.
I've read most of the Xuya Universe novels, which might be slightly necessary to understand some of the world-building. Not required at all, imo, as the author is pretty clear and well spoken. The plot stands well on its own, and you don't need to read the other novels set in this universe.ย
It's more like a stand alone story set in the universe, much like others. All the same, I would encourage people to pick up other novels from this universe. It's such a gorgeously developed world.ย
Content warnings:ย
minor ethnic cleansing,
medium kidnapping,ย
major pregnancy, childbirth, gore, medical scenarios, unsanitary, body horror, child abuse, cultural genocide, suicide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Kidnapping, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Racism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Kidnapping
freakydug's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmylee04's review
4.0
I am debating on this one. The writing was killer and the appearance of so many well-rounded, female characters in a work of this length (and in science fiction, no less) was not lost on me. Maybe I am missing a bit of the background, the WHY of the story, from not reading anything else by this author. If so, that is the only thing that is holding me back from wholly enjoying this. I found myself mulling it over long after finishing the story, which is always the mark of a successful shorter work.