Reviews tagging 'Blood'

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

48 reviews

moonbasket's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

5.0

A departure from the first book in form and style, but just a phenomenal. Chambers is amazing at analyzing the human condition through the lens of her characters and this novel is no different. A simple plot overall allows for a detailed exploration of what it means to be sentient and how learning autonomy changes a person for the better.

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ritabriar's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring tense
  • 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

The plot switches back and forth between Pepper's past and present, when she is guided by and guides two different "artificial" people. These two timelines collide at the end. All of the characters have been through. A lot. This book handles their stories with respect and care. This is a beautiful exploration of the meanings of family and care. Their world is unjust, so they steal a little justice for themselves. 

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nikenacs's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? Yes

5.0

But I don't want to leave them yet :( I want to stay with the whole gang in Port Coriol and just do scifi hopepunk slice of life forever :(

Exceptional. Just as good as the first one, maybe even more gripping because of its two clear POVs. Especially the Jane/Pepper storyline really got me. Focusing more on Port Coriol and the Factory instead of another ship crew also helped flesh out the worldbuilding in some fantastic ways. I have deep, deep feelings over Becky Chambers' ability to do worldbuilding in seemingly mundane details. I don't mind the (comparatively) slow pace at all because I'm enjoying the everyday life and struggles of these characters and this world so much.

I don't want it to be over, which speaks volumes to how much I enjoy this world and the people in it. Wayfarers is swiftly (and predictably) becoming my favorite book series I've read in years. 

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therainbowshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

While I was disappointed at first not to return to the crew of the Wayfarer, it didn't last long. I greatly enjoyed getting to know Lovelace as she settles into her new life outside of a ship framework, and enjoyed exploring the troubling survival story of a small girl created for one purpose until accidentally unmoored from it. I adored the ending as well. 

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alexisdawn's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0


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bookcheshirecat's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

4.0

“The enhanced call us misfits - people who don't fit their intended purpose. So maybe you're a misfit too. Doesn't mean you're not deserving. Doesn't mean you shouldn't be here.” 

A Closed and Common Orbit was a great, introspective companion novel in the Wayfarers universe. I read The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet ages ago and was eager to check out more books from the Wayfarer series. I like Becky Chambers's full-length sci-fi novels much more than her novellas (the Monk and Robot series was unfortunately mediocre for me)! I definitely recommend reading the first book, as A Closed and Common Orbit follows Lovelace, the former AI system of the Wayfarer who is now setting out on her own in a (highly illegal) body kit. Due to a system restart she's lost her previous identity and parting ways with her former crew that she doesn't really feel attached to anymore.

Lovelace (later renaming herself Sidra) struggles with finding her place and purpose! Since AIs are considered property and only allowed to be installed in specific areas, she has to hide her true identity from everyone. Pepper (and her partner Blue) are the only people who know as they offer her refuge in their home Port Corisol. I really liked seeing Sidra trying to fit into human society when she isn't like everyone else. She still has issues with overstimulation and a lack of constant linking access. Fitting into the human world is difficult for Sidra as she's something other and has to hide it for her own safety! Her POV is introspective and slow-paced, so don't expect any big action scenes!

There's also a second perspective that takes place almost 20 years prior and follows Pepper (formerly named Jane). I have to admit that I enjoyed this POV slightly more, as Lovelace's journey was slow and focused on slice-of-life instead of action. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Jane's journey as it's uncommon to look into the past of a supporting character. It worked out here as it showed why Pepper was willing to help Lovelace in the first place. Her story is heavy, as she starts out as a factory worker unaware of her true identity who's been locked up all her life. After a daring escape, she uncovers an abandoned ship with an AI on board who is her only point of contact. This perspective is much more survival-focused as Jane has to survive with whatever she can scavenge and dreams of somewhere escaping!

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kastix's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5


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plantdonut's review against another edition

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adventurous funny 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

3.0


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anni_swanilda's review against another edition

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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

4.5


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rororow's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective fast-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? Yes

5.0


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