Book Reviews / LGBTQ+ / Science Fiction

Mini Book Review: Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Dini @ dinipandareads11 Comments

Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers #3)
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Pub Date: 24 July 2018
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

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.

Tessa chose to stay home when her brother Ashby left for the stars, but has to question that decision when her position in the Fleet is threatened.

Kip, a reluctant young apprentice, itches for change but doesn’t know where to find it.

Sawyer, a lost and lonely newcomer, is just looking for a place to belong.

When a disaster rocks this already fragile community, those Exodans who still call the Fleet their home can no longer avoid the inescapable question:

What is the purpose of a ship that has reached its destination?

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Space ship explosion (off-page), death, drug use (one incident), gun violence (mentioned), bullying (minor)

I’m buddy reading this series with Leslie @ Books Are the New Black and we’re both enjoying the series but I don’t think anything will top the first in the series for both of us! At least, so far. Maybe one of the next books will prove us wrong. 😉

Although I’m a bit disappointed that we aren’t going to return to the Wayfarer crew in this series, I get what Chambers is doing by showing us different perspectives of how all alien societies live (and yes, humans or the Exodans are part of that too). Ironically, despite being about the humans who survived the destruction of Earth and continue to live on spaceships, I feel I connected the least to these stories compared to the previous ones. As with the other books, we follow multiple perspectives and out of the six in this story, I enjoyed Kip’s, Tessa’s and Eyas’ perspectives the most, but Kip really wormed his way into my heart! I felt his frustration and fears, as well as his desire to do something—anything—to make life feel less monotonous and scripted. Basically, anything to find what he was meant to do. He got himself into situations that were mortifying as much as they were hilarious (at least to us dear readers) but ultimately, I loved how this kid had his heart in the right place and I had a good feeling about where his journey will go as he continues through life. I like how the uniqueness of human life was also highlighted from the perspective of visiting Harmagian researcher, Ghuh’loloan. Xyr experience living amongst the Exodans provided some humorous and even educational moments!

At the end of the day, Chambers manages to show how human concerns really don’t change much over time, and in this case, literal space, and that the prejudices, egos, and messes that existed in the time of our Earth-born ancestors, still follow us into this future. However, the same can be said for the good that humanity carries with them and how it seems that at least, in this fleet, humans have found a way to establish a society where equality exists and everyone, no matter who you are, contributes for survival. It’s both saddening and comforting to know that no matter where we go and when it happens, humans will still be humans. 🤭 We are forever searching for a place to belong, family, friends, a life that’s fulfilling, and ultimately, through whatever events come our way, we will fight to survive.

This was a nice addition to the Wayfarers series and I’m looking forward to discovering more about the Aeluons in the next book—that should make for an interesting read!

Have you read Record of a Spaceborn Few or is it on your TBR?

11 thoughts on “Mini Book Review: Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers”

  2. I mostly skimmed this because I didn’t want spoilers of The Long Way, but from what I read it’s too bad you didn’t like it as much! I hate when sequels do that to us 😔. I do still plan on reading The Long Way eventually… I haven’t been able to go to book club meetings. Anyways happy reading!

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    • I will say that while these are interconnected in that there are loose connections to the main cast we’re introduced to in the first book, the other books can even be read as standalones because you don’t need to read book one to really understand the other books. The Long Way is still my favourite thus far, but it’s interesting to learn about the different species, societies, cultures, etc., and how they all make up this Galactic Commons. I hope you enjoy the books whenever you get to them 🙂

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    • Oh, that’s interesting! I think the second is still second because of how much I connected with Jane’s story but I adored Kip in this book. There were definitely plenty of laugh out loud and “oh, relatable” moments while reading so I’m kind of surprised I wound up finding it the one I least connected to. I’m still massively enjoying this series though!

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  6. I read book one so far apart from the others that I’m not sure I have a proper frame of comparison, but in some ways I think I like book 2 the best. This one (book 3) isn’t my favorite, but I did end up enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would at the start of the book. I agree that Kip ended up being a favorite series character for me. I was really glad to see his character growth.

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