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
delvainy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I am a fool for space queers. It felt very slice of life in a way I found comforting, but it was still interesting enough to keep me intrigued. I loved the moments when the entire human race got razzed, for some reason (inter-species relationships for the win ig), and was made to find a reptilian woman hot. Go figure. I want to wrap them all up in my arms and tote them around with me. I want to live in this world. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, and this helped pull me right out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
weareinheritors's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
The plot was kinda lackluster and the pacing seemed a little off at times, but the CHARACTERS are where this book shone! Once the characters started interacting with one another, it was difficult to put the book down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Drug use, and Sexual content
latida94's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Becky Chambers writes hope into these stories. She also writes things on an emotional level that absolutely wrecks me. Cuts you to the core with earnesty and accuracy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
thaliareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
I really enjoyed this book. I don't remember where I read it, but trying to describe this book to a friend, I ran across a review that said that this is more of a people book than a science fiction book. I adored this book and while it had a cool science fiction setting, it was ultimately about the people on the journey, their interactions with each other, and their interactions with other species and crews.
I can't express enough appreciation for how cool it was just seeing all of the described species and all of their different cultures and the depth to which they are explored. It's absolutely wild.
I can't express enough appreciation for how cool it was just seeing all of the described species and all of their different cultures and the depth to which they are explored. It's absolutely wild.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcohol and Cultural appropriation
I'm behind on reviews, so it's been a couple moths since I read this, and I wouldn't be surprised if I missed a content warning or two.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
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
I though that this was a great fun sci-fi read. It was funny, poignant and endearing. I think that it showcased how imaginative the author is at creating complex worlds and peoples, and having huge amounts of respect for all of them.
If this had a bit more plot, and less lesson-of-the-week 90s sitcom feeling, I would have rated it higher. Felt a bit disconnected plot wise, but overall it was charming.
If this had a bit more plot, and less lesson-of-the-week 90s sitcom feeling, I would have rated it higher. Felt a bit disconnected plot wise, but overall it was charming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness and Genocide
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
toastedoats42's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Police brutality, Death, Murder, Racial slurs, Violence, and War