moonknitter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Before I read this I was disappointed that the same characters of the first book would not really be in the second one but Becky Chambers has done it again. Even tho I was sad to not hear more about sissix & rosemary and even tho the whole Jenks & Lovelace storyline didn’t really appeal to me in the first book, the way this explored AI rights and genetic modification and both the utopian and dystopian aspects of both was just incredible, wholesome in some ways, and very inspiring! I’ve sometimes really hated books that go back n forth between 2. Characters or time periods but this one did it so incredibly well and I think the book would have not been as good if they’d been separate or only 1 together. When I got tired of sidra complaining about being in a body, the chapter ended and I got a glimpse of Jane working hard to survive. When I got tired of hearing the horrible parts of janes story, the chapter ended and I could learn about sidra experience something new for the first time. I’ve also been really terrified about the future of AI over the next few years just based on our society, and this book gave me a different perspective to all that. The Owl and Jane storyline was a big part of that for me. However, the ending was sort of confusing for me. I didn’t totally understand exactly what happened it was like tech jargon and it went over my head. On a basic level I kind of get it but it wasn’t super clear. I also think one thing this book did similar to the last one was that it was much more character based than plot based. The climax/ ending came fast and in the last 60 pages or so. Which was fine with me because I liked getting to understand these different worlds and seeing things for the first time through an AI perspective as well as Jane’s. Becky chambers also does a really great job of writing different voices. Janes voice as a 10 year old made it very easy to put yourself in her shoes, as did janes narration voice as a teenager (as she learned how to cuss and starts to be annoyed with Owl, as all teens do). This is a small thing but also the voice of Blue with his speech impediment is just a small thing that many authors wouldn’t think to do. Each character truly had a voice through her writing. The other thing I noticed as soon as janes story began is that it is very much Plato’s allegory of a cave and I think that allegory speaks to the parallels between both Sidra and Janes story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Confinement
Moderate: Cursing
hanz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, and Animal death
effievee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Slavery
scifi_rat's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Grief, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Colonisation, Violence, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Child death
Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Xenophobia, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Gore
crimelessvictim's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Violence, Confinement, and Child death
andloveistoolong's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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 enjoyed the first book in this series well enough, but this one was definitely a step up. It had a totally engrossing story, characters I fell in love with, basically the whole package.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Animal death, Slavery, Trafficking, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Child death, Classism, Death, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Minor: Dysphoria, Drug use, Medical content, Gore, and Infertility
librarymouse's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I sat I my kitchen crying as
Spoiler
Owl told Pepper not to cry and that she was there, and I didn't stop crying till the end of the book, though the tears were for a variety of different emotions. These characters are so easy to love. Sidra learning how to be a person, including her inate instincts and not ridding herself of the unique aspects that are core to her is such a huge and beautiful storyline, which I read as allegorical for neurodivergence. Tak is a great friend, and Owl getting to see Pepper and Blue Shepard Sidra into personhood as she'd done for Pepper was beautiful. Sidra and Owl getting to share digital space is beautiful and I long for a continuation of the story in which AI are granted legal personhood. I know the series continues and god I hope that change in political landscape is a part of it. My heart is full with Owl and her reunion with Pepper; being able to finally hug the girl she's loved and raised for years. My heart breaks for Lovey and what could have been.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Medical content, Sexual content, Child abuse, Child death, Animal death, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Confinement, and Grief
Minor: Deportation and Slavery
joey_schafer's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
This was really good, despite being so far my least favorite Becky Chambers book. A little more depressing than her other books, but really well-written still.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, and Animal death
Moderate: Grief, Xenophobia, and Death
Minor: Blood
dreareads_'s review
emotional
lighthearted
- 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> "The Enhanced call us m-misfits. People who don't suit their intended purpose. So, maybe, ah, maybe you're a misfit, too. doesn't mean you're not deserving. Doesn't mean you shouldn't be here" </i>
Another beautiful 5 Stars for Becky Chambers.
There are many things I could say about this book:
1) Sidra is such a wonderfully round and heartbreaking character. Watchig Sidra become comfortable with who she is is a beautiful journey.
2) Jane's/Pepper's story is one of perseverance and love. I sobbed so many times just reading about her history.
3) Every single character in this book is someone you want to be friends with. PROTECT BLUE AT ALL COSTS!! Tak, such a delightful character!
4) An ending that will leave you crying with love and joy, I still haven't recovered from it.
BUT The two main takeaways of this book are the masterful writing and the vivid world building.
One of the best examples of Chambers talent is the scene where Jane is learning new words from Owl. That entire passage made me stop and read it over and over again because it was so brilliant.
The world Chambers creates feels lived in, especially when you include the fun online forums that add that extra magic.
I just, want to read everything and anything she writes. I want to live in any universe Chamber creates.
Another beautiful 5 Stars for Becky Chambers.
There are many things I could say about this book:
1) Sidra is such a wonderfully round and heartbreaking character. Watchig Sidra become comfortable with who she is is a beautiful journey.
2) Jane's/Pepper's story is one of perseverance and love. I sobbed so many times just reading about her history.
3) Every single character in this book is someone you want to be friends with. PROTECT BLUE AT ALL COSTS!! Tak, such a delightful character!
4) An ending that will leave you crying with love and joy, I still haven't recovered from it.
BUT The two main takeaways of this book are the masterful writing and the vivid world building.
One of the best examples of Chambers talent is the scene where Jane is learning new words from Owl. That entire passage made me stop and read it over and over again because it was so brilliant.
The world Chambers creates feels lived in, especially when you include the fun online forums that add that extra magic.
I just, want to read everything and anything she writes. I want to live in any universe Chamber creates.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Violence, Slavery, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Child death, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Grief, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
overbooked207's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
📖 A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers Book Review 📖
6th book of August and 23rd of the year:
The sequel to one of my all-time favorite books, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, this book follows an important character from the first book along with a whole new cast of great characters. It was heartfelt, inspiring, adventurous, and fun, had lyrical, atmospheric, and beautiful writing, complex and lovable characters, and queer, PTSD, disability, anxiety, and more representation, and it explored what it means to be human and the importance of community and togetherness. The series is still heavily character-based, which I love, but this installment had more action than the first, so people who enjoy more plot-based stories will enjoy that aspect of it. Personally, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is still my favorite in the series, but this was another amazing adventure, and I definitely recommend it and all other Becky Chambers' books! TW for PTSD, anxiety, abuse, animal death, ableism, child death, death, child abuse, drug use, vomit, violence, grief, gaslighting, injury/injury detail, captivity, slavery, mental illness, gore, blood, explosions/fire injury, mentions of sex, mentions of food, murder, and medical content📚🚀🔭
6th book of August and 23rd of the year:
The sequel to one of my all-time favorite books, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, this book follows an important character from the first book along with a whole new cast of great characters. It was heartfelt, inspiring, adventurous, and fun, had lyrical, atmospheric, and beautiful writing, complex and lovable characters, and queer, PTSD, disability, anxiety, and more representation, and it explored what it means to be human and the importance of community and togetherness. The series is still heavily character-based, which I love, but this installment had more action than the first, so people who enjoy more plot-based stories will enjoy that aspect of it. Personally, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is still my favorite in the series, but this was another amazing adventure, and I definitely recommend it and all other Becky Chambers' books! TW for PTSD, anxiety, abuse, animal death, ableism, child death, death, child abuse, drug use, vomit, violence, grief, gaslighting, injury/injury detail, captivity, slavery, mental illness, gore, blood, explosions/fire injury, mentions of sex, mentions of food, murder, and medical content📚🚀🔭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Death, Blood, Animal death, Slavery, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Vomit, Violence, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Murder