ŷ������

“When I see the ocean, I feel calm. It makes me want to�� �� to keep eating candy �� ‘to keep going. To keep trying new things. To keep living.��

An engaging and beautifully written slice of life dive in Becky Chambers�� world of complex characters and newly imagined relationships between space faring species! I somehow feel like I should begin this review of Becky Chambers�� A Closed and Common Orbit with provisos even though I really enjoyed it. I went into this second book in the Wayfarer Series knowing it wasn’t exactly a traditional sequel. In fact, this standalone doesn’t even follow the adventures of the principal characters comprising the Wayfarer crew. Instead, it focuses on Sidra (the AI Lovey who ran the ship) and engineer, Pepper.

Chambers excels at complex and likeable characters. The story here goes back and forth between Sidra making new friends while getting used to her new kit (a body as opposed to an entire ship) and Pepper’s past as genetically modified child slave (Jane 23) who escapes her old life. There were lots of little details I especially enjoyed, like reading about the pet that is purchased for Sidra. It reminded me of the Deckard’s desire for a pet in Blade Runner/Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. It was more about revealing Sidra’s evolving sense of self. Still, it feels less like Chambers is telling a story and much more like she is revealing characters.

There is very little dramatic action. If you’ve read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, you are probably okay with this approach. A Closed and Common Orbit is an engaging read that will draw you into Chambers�� unique world! 4.5 stars