Fae’s Vtuber model next to the cover of the long way to a slow angry planet
I really enjoyed the world building of this story! I think it distances itself enough from established sci-fi tropes that it has some really interesting character opportunities. I love the relationships in the found family aboard the Wayfarer, I love how casually queer and diverse the galaxy is. I want to know everything about the species and communities who inhabit it.
The story is a bit of a slow burn, and is much more interested in character development than action readers may be expecting, but sometimes that’s okay.
Fae’s Vtuber model next to the cover of a closed and common orbit
A much more intimate look at what it means to find your place in the galaxy, A Closed and Common Orbit expands on the Wayfarer universe in a really neat way. I really found Sidra’s experiences throughout the book relatable, touching on ideas of anxiety, dysphoria, difficulty connecting and understanding other sapient creatures. I like asking the question “what does it mean to be a ‘person’ in the world?”
I’m also glad we got to learn more about Pepper’s backstory. I feel like the first book downplayed her experiences, and in general retconned some of it to make it less isolating, but it still manages to make the journey somewhat harrowing.
Like the first book, the action of the story comes very late and wavers between being too fast and too slow but not in a way that ruins the experience. And just like the first book it leaves me wanting more.
It’s been a bit since I’ve posted a book review so please enjoy my thoughts on Becky Chambers #wayfarers series! I love Becky’s focus on the interpersonal relationships of her characters and how hard each cast tries to do good. #bookreviews #sciencefiction #space #beckychambers #lgbtqia 1/2