violetends's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
I read this with someone while we lived 2000km away from each other. We send each other voice memos with the latest chapter as well as reading to each other over the phone. And we finally finished it in the first days of being in the same space again. This book was perfect for this little 2-people-bookclub and I am very happy to have done this.
Overall, I am astounded that this is Becky Chambers' debut. The way in which she crafts the world with its advanced technology, complex social and political structures and numerous distinct species is so complex and well done. The plot is simultaneously wholesome and exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride and I am a little sad to continue the second book away from the Wayfarer (if I understood correctly what the second book is about).
Overall, I am astounded that this is Becky Chambers' debut. The way in which she crafts the world with its advanced technology, complex social and political structures and numerous distinct species is so complex and well done. The plot is simultaneously wholesome and exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride and I am a little sad to continue the second book away from the Wayfarer (if I understood correctly what the second book is about).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness and War
agirlsnightbookbash's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
beatriks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Xenophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: War
withlivjones's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
I am a sucker for the found family trope and this book does it PERFECTLY. I loved all the characters on the Wayfarer and while I’m normally more of a plot girlie I wasn’t mad about the fact that most of this book is focused on exploring the relationships between the crew on this long journey. This is a masterclass in character creation, as every crew member gets their moment in the spotlight to uncover their demons and by the end you feel attached to every one of them (even Corbin, who is objectively an asshole). I loved the diversity in appearance, language, ideologies and family dynamics amongst all the alien species, it felt realistic in terms of how different life that evolved outside of Earth would be to humanity, and I really like the sentiment of accepting people regardless of their differences, even if you don’t fully understand them. This book embodies cozy sci-fi, but that’s certainly not to say that it doesn’t have its tense moments - there were parts of this book that had me on the edge of my seat, gaping! - and there’s a good balance between the cozy bits and the action bits. I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, War, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Blood, and Death
kristinrdub's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Delightful cozy sci-fi unlike anything I’ve ever read. I love all of the characters very much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Death
julieyael's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a lovely comfort read.
The plot is quite light and you should not expect too many twists, but the main focus of the book are the characters and the general atmosphere.
I would definitely pick it up again to be amongst this crew. The sci-fi aspect is very interesting too, with good reflections on life and humanity.
Becky Chambers was already an author I liked, as I read and loved To be Taught if Fortunate, but now she is definitely one of my favorites.
The plot is quite light and you should not expect too many twists, but the main focus of the book are the characters and the general atmosphere.
I would definitely pick it up again to be amongst this crew. The sci-fi aspect is very interesting too, with good reflections on life and humanity.
Becky Chambers was already an author I liked, as I read and loved To be Taught if Fortunate, but now she is definitely one of my favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, War, Grief, and Death
buttermellow's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Confinement
Minor: Medical content
decie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: War
beesanddaisies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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? No
5.0
I don’t read much si-fi but I think this was such a nice introduction. The characters are so lovable and what I want is three books of them messing around together and being found family.
So many different things happen in this book and whilst there *technically** is an overall plot/story line, it is very much in the background for most of the book. We really focus instead on the relationships between the characters as well as some great world building.
Becky Chambers had quite a difficult job with the world building in terms of how many different aliens and planets and species and laws and societies she had to create but in all, she managed to create a really well fleshed out universe where all the characters and settings feel well thought out and described in detail. She created languages and cultures all with different social etiquette and everything very real and easy to follow.
My favourite character is Kizzy but everyone is so likeable, I really think anybody could have great fun reading this book.
So many different things happen in this book and whilst there *technically** is an overall plot/story line, it is very much in the background for most of the book. We really focus instead on the relationships between the characters as well as some great world building.
Becky Chambers had quite a difficult job with the world building in terms of how many different aliens and planets and species and laws and societies she had to create but in all, she managed to create a really well fleshed out universe where all the characters and settings feel well thought out and described in detail. She created languages and cultures all with different social etiquette and everything very real and easy to follow.
My favourite character is Kizzy but everyone is so likeable, I really think anybody could have great fun reading this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Violence
abookwormspov's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Medical content, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, and Chronic illness