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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
adventurous
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
4 ⭐ CW: bullying, death
"From the ground, we stand. From our ships, we live. By the stars, we hope."
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers is book three in the Wayfarers series. I really enjoyed this cozy scifi story, although it didn't hit me as hard as the previous two books did. I'm really enjoying that there is very little plot to speak of. These are self-contained stories that build on the world-building established in book one.
This story focuses on the human Exodan Fleet. We follow five characters: Kip, a teen who is struggling with what he wants in life and wants to leave the Fleet; Isobel, an older lesbian Archivist who is hosting a Harmagian guest researching the Exodans; Eyas, a Caretaker of the dead for the fleet who feels like something is missing; Sawyer, a young man from a Harmagian planet that has never set foot in the fleet before, but wants to try something new; and Tessa, Ashby's sister who is also looking for something better for her family.
It was so great to finally explore Exodan culture! We get to see the way the homesteaders are run, the importance of cooperation, sharing, and letting nothing go to waste. We even get a little bit of their history in the form of articles from Isobel's guest. I love that we got to learn about the fleet's funereal rites of composting their dead. We even see how sex work has been an expected and respected profession. We see a slice of life from each of these five characters.
The themes were about human identity, community, and change. Sawyer wanted to feel connected to his ancestors and accepted into the fleet despite his ignorance of the culture. Tessa wanted her daughter to feel safe while also struggling with the thought of leaving the fleet behind. Kip learned he needed perspective in order to appreciate what was right in front of him, and the importance of remembering and preserving your history.
I'm curious and excited to see what the next story brings us!
"From the ground, we stand. From our ships, we live. By the stars, we hope."
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers is book three in the Wayfarers series. I really enjoyed this cozy scifi story, although it didn't hit me as hard as the previous two books did. I'm really enjoying that there is very little plot to speak of. These are self-contained stories that build on the world-building established in book one.
This story focuses on the human Exodan Fleet. We follow five characters: Kip, a teen who is struggling with what he wants in life and wants to leave the Fleet; Isobel, an older lesbian Archivist who is hosting a Harmagian guest researching the Exodans; Eyas, a Caretaker of the dead for the fleet who feels like something is missing; Sawyer, a young man from a Harmagian planet that has never set foot in the fleet before, but wants to try something new; and Tessa, Ashby's sister who is also looking for something better for her family.
It was so great to finally explore Exodan culture! We get to see the way the homesteaders are run, the importance of cooperation, sharing, and letting nothing go to waste. We even get a little bit of their history in the form of articles from Isobel's guest. I love that we got to learn about the fleet's funereal rites of composting their dead. We even see how sex work has been an expected and respected profession. We see a slice of life from each of these five characters.
The themes were about human identity, community, and change. Sawyer wanted to feel connected to his ancestors and accepted into the fleet despite his ignorance of the culture. Tessa wanted her daughter to feel safe while also struggling with the thought of leaving the fleet behind. Kip learned he needed perspective in order to appreciate what was right in front of him, and the importance of remembering and preserving your history.
I'm curious and excited to see what the next story brings us!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Bullying