Centuries after the last humans left Earth, the Exodus Fleet is a living relic, a place many are from but few outsiders have seen. Humanity has finally been accepted into the galactic community, but while this has opened doors for many, those who have not yet left for alien cities fear that their carefully cultivated way of life is under threat.
As with every book by Becky Chambers that I have read, I struggled in the beginning. The pacing is different in each of her books, the characters have loose links to past storylines at best, and I always need time to ease myself into the new perspectives that slowly develop.
But this book! Yes, it starts slow. But when the story finally takes off, when things start to converge, the payoff is well worth it.
I was smitten with the worldbuilding that was even more intricate and well thought-out than in previous books of the series. I loved the characters, the way they explore facets of the society they inhabit. And in the end, I enjoyed the way the story develops.
Review of 'Record of a Spaceborn Few' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I really enjoyed this. After the dip that book 2 represented (imo) this was the author roaring back into form. A gentle study of a place. A unique place. Told through some slice-of-life stories. The Earth died and the survivors took to the stars in ships made from the ruined cities. Then, they encountered a wider Galactic community. This book studies how that place fits into that community. I can definitely recommend this and the whole series.
Review of 'Record of a Spaceborn Few' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
"The guilt lingered, even so. Ghosts were imaginary, but hauntings were real."
Well, I didn't cry at this one, even though at the funeral I wanted to. It's amazing to me how Chambers just keeps piling people on people, building up history and widening the scope of her universe in each novel.
"Make sure people remember that a closed system is a closed system even when you can’t see the edges."
By the halfway point, I was totally hooked - being a little uncertain from the start made the joy all the sweeter, watching the records of these Spaceborn Few unfold. Morality stories, inter-species exchanges, appreciating what you have and who you are, moving on, letting go, getting old, growing up. It's all here, skillfully blended to provide a vivid, harmonious glimpse into a galaxy of possibilities and variety.
Very much worth buying if the other two appealed in the …
"The guilt lingered, even so. Ghosts were imaginary, but hauntings were real."
Well, I didn't cry at this one, even though at the funeral I wanted to. It's amazing to me how Chambers just keeps piling people on people, building up history and widening the scope of her universe in each novel.
"Make sure people remember that a closed system is a closed system even when you can’t see the edges."
By the halfway point, I was totally hooked - being a little uncertain from the start made the joy all the sweeter, watching the records of these Spaceborn Few unfold. Morality stories, inter-species exchanges, appreciating what you have and who you are, moving on, letting go, getting old, growing up. It's all here, skillfully blended to provide a vivid, harmonious glimpse into a galaxy of possibilities and variety.
Very much worth buying if the other two appealed in the slightest, and to be re-read one day as a whole trilogy, until more comes to engage, excite and contemplate in years to come. I hope!
