A review by strange
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

The wayfarer's series is almost certainly my favorite series of all time (I'm currently in the midst of a slow reread to work my way to the fourth book), and while I love the first book wholeheartedly and find the third to be wonderful and inspiring, this one connects to me on a personal level more than most books I've ever read. While I don't know if the neurodivergent coding of the main AI character, Sidra, is intentional, as an autistic person I found myself relating to her quite possibly more than any other character I've seen in media. There's so much more I can say but... I don't have the words nor the space to say it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Medical content, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation

Minor: Cancer

There are a lot of triggers in here, but this is not by any means a dark book. It covers some pretty heavy topics, but it manages to keep a relatively warm and comforting tone throughout.