Reviews

Record of a Spaceborn Few, by Becky Chambers

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jnieto's review against another edition

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4.0

Lovely human.

marthe1998's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

singlier's review against another edition

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hopeful informative 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

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
5/5 🛰 s

This book is the third in a series of loosely connected sci-fi stories set in the distant future about an intergalactic community of aliens known as the Galactic Commons (GC). The series has done an excellent job exploring the relationships of the different alien groups: ideas about what is "normal" is constantly brought into question, as well as how power dynamics, technological advantages, and evolutionary differences impact identity and social relationships.

I found myself especially loving this iteration of the series, probably because it focuses on the humans within the GC. In this timeline, there are two distinct groups of humans in the GC: Martians (humans who moved to Mars and still live within the human solar system) and Exodans (humans who, at the end of the world, built large space-faring vessels to travel the universe looking for a new home). The Exodans are greatly looked down upon by the rest of the GC for being refugees, and are seen as technologically disadvantaged. The are the GC's pity case, basically. Now, more than 50 years after the Exodans were accepted as members of the GC, many Exodans continue to live on their ships in a stable orbit. This book focuses on them.

In order to tell the life and culture of the Exodan humans, this book features a large cast of characters who have a unique relationship with the ship they live on. Tessa, a young mother who's job is being phased out by new technological upgrades. Isabella, an archivist and recorder of the ship's history. Eryas, a caretaker of the dead. Kip, a young student unsure of what he wants to do in life. Sawyer, an off-ship orphan looking to find a home. They each provide a wonderful look into the life of humans in the future. It is also very LGBTQ, radically kind, and ultimately hopeful, even in the face of tragedy.