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moonbasket's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this novella. It was an interesting exploration of the question of interstellar travel. I liked Chambers' ideas about community funded space travel and strong scientific ethics. As a letter to the reader, the book felt kind of sleepy to read. It was interesting and I didn't want to put it down, but it was also soothing and calming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, and War
A very cozy book. Little bit of sex, but its off the page, some grief as well, but its not focused on.the_reading_wren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book perfectly fulfilled the form of a novella; it’s punchy and got me thinking. I also like the inclusion of the bonus content in this edition, which gives more context about Chambers’ thinking behind the book and how she was able to weave so much science so well into the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail
penofpossibilities's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this alot and read it almost in one sitting, to me the pacing was really pleasant and I didn't feel infodumped upon despite the amount of new terms and concepts to learn. The only reason I am disappointed in the ending is that if you present a mystery to me, I am going to want it answered. Rarely does an open ending work satisfactory to me. I figured, after reading a psalm for the wild built, that Becky Chambers is more about creating a world and some characters in order to explore philosophical questions, and isn't particularly interested in developing a clear cut answer for you. That's nice and interesting, but I still wanted to know so many specifics what happened to earth, what happened to the lawki 5,...
I don't want to criticise the book for this though - it's definately more a style/genre preference on my end than a fault of the book or the writing. I like Becky Chambers' writing a lot and will probably read her other works as well.
I don't want to criticise the book for this though - it's definately more a style/genre preference on my end than a fault of the book or the writing. I like Becky Chambers' writing a lot and will probably read her other works as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Grief, and War
natural disasters (minor)bohemianhermit04's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Cursing
babudarabu's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Medical content, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
cookiecat73's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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? It's complicated
4.75
Loved this!! I had a couple of nitpicks, but overall I thought it was great, the main thing I want to be different is that I would have liked it to have been longer, it didn't even need to have extra plot thrown in, I just liked reading about these characters and this world
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Excrement, Death of parent, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and War
wickedgrumpy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Listened to this as an audiobook during a road trip and it kept me engaged the entire time. I don't think that this will be enjoyed by all since for a sci-fi it focuses more on the crew and slice-of-life moments, rather than the planets they explore, and the discoveries they make.
It does bring up the topic that there is a lot to be said about the ethics of science and experimentation. I think it all can be boiled down into something along the lines of having good intentions does not inherently guarantee that anyone/thing remains unharmed in the end or even in the midst of the process. This is true for the scientists themselves and/or their subjects.
Becky Chambers has done an excellent job of making distinct and memorable characters that feel real because the book runs the gamut of human emotions. There's quite a bit of existential dread, and it can be rather heavy at times, but it also has it's moments of fun, enchantment, excitement, joy, and happiness.
It does bring up the topic that there is a lot to be said about the ethics of science and experimentation. I think it all can be boiled down into something along the lines of having good intentions does not inherently guarantee that anyone/thing remains unharmed in the end or even in the midst of the process. This is true for the scientists themselves and/or their subjects.
Becky Chambers has done an excellent job of making distinct and memorable characters that feel real because the book runs the gamut of human emotions. There's quite a bit of existential dread, and it can be rather heavy at times, but it also has it's moments of fun, enchantment, excitement, joy, and happiness.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.0
If you told me you hate Becky Chambers’ books because you found them boring I’d probably just say “fair enough.” This is essentially slice-of-life sci-fi, and I suspect (know, really) that that is not going to work for a lot of people. However, I personally absolutely love the way Chambers crafts characters and builds worlds. Something about her books just feels so comforting and cozy to me. They feel familiar even though I’ve never read them before, and I can’t help but love them. This book in particular I didn't like quite as much as The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, but I chalk that up mostly to this being a novella and me not having as much time with the characters. Effectively ,this is not a book for everyone (it's kind of slow, and it's much more concerned with theme than with plot), but it is very much for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.25
This reminded me a bit of the episode of the Jordan Peele Twilight Zone where a team of astronauts launch into space just as nuclear armageddon begins. What decisions do you make when you don't know what is going on back home? Are they all really dead? Do we have a right to take the opportunity to fly away and make a new life elsewhere? It gives the reader a decision to make at the end, but I don't think it's easy to take directly. The Earth in that story at that point in time has experienced a geomagnetic storm from a solar burst that knocked out all technology. We as readers don't know what that resulted in, and I feel inadequate to make the call: do we bring the astronauts home or send them to a new habitable planet? I do think this book makes a beautiful case for exploration for the sake of sating curiosity, we all want to know what's out there. It takes into account that it is not selfish to worry more about our own planet before we look to others, as well as people using technological advancements for their own gains, be it money or fame or ego. I think it is human nature to want to know more, especially when we feel so isolated and alone in our galaxy. I really love the bonus content in the back, interviewing her astrobiologist consultant (and mom) which shows why Chamber's stories read a bit like The Martian but not down to every mote of dust and without so much pretension. It really blends where our understanding lies now and where it could lead, while taking a few liberties for the sake of wonder. Temporary evolutionary editing sounds dope as hell, I want to go to a 2G planet just so my little chip will make me jacked. I want to be able to absorb space's ambient radiation as a fuel source!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, and Grief
wishbea's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A beautiful novella about the wonders of scientific discovery, hope and depression. I will miss reading about these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Confinement
Minor: Cursing