24th August 2024

This short novel follows the small crew of an exploratory space vessel visiting several exo-planets. Each chapter is like a novella covering their time at a different destination.

It’s a lot more focussed on the science than previous Chambers novels that I’ve read, but that’s doesn’t stop it from having a compelling narrator/protagonist, and complex set of supporting characters, and a solid plot to build them around.

I enjoyed this brief visit to a new Chambers universe. She manages to build fascinating worlds with subtlety and utter believability that fill the reader with the wonder that the characters experience.

Looking forward to more of her books as I can find them.

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28th April 2024

The fourth and final Wayfarers book takes us to a low population planet that serves as a rest stop along a galactic superhighway, where three guests are trapped with their host during a planetwide emergency.

It’s a delightful novel which is super easy to read, about five very different characters from different backgrounds learning to live together temporarily, and to support each other through a crisis.

The universe that Chambers has created with these novels is wonderful to visit, and there’s so much detail that’s gone into the world building and yet still it’s presented in such a way this doesn’t impact the readability. Yes, my brain struggles to imagine the physicalities of some of the species represented, but that doesn’t stop me appreciating the personalities, the life stories, and the difficulties that each face.

It’s been a really nice series to read, and I hope that I find the same satisfaction in her other and future works.

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3rd April 2023

Becky Chambers’ third Wayfarers novel takes us to the Exodus Fleet, where we meet a variety of characters at different stages of their lives aboard this now-parked generational voyage.

It is, beautifully, a character driven piece where the plot is almost incidental to just getting to know the people and their lives, as they make a variety of choices about their futures or reflect on their pasts.

I have found these books incredibly relaxing to read, and to allow myself to fall into the worlds Chambers builds up in such an accessible way.

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27th November 2022

The second Wayfarers novel loosely continues from the end of the first. While I don’t think it’s necessary to read the first novel to read this one, this probably does carry spoilers from some events from the first novel, so it likely makes sense to read them in order.

This then is a novel about relationships, romantic, friendly, family, and parent-child. It’s a galaxy where these particular examples are outliers though, due to some of the participants in each being seen as undesirable by the current civilisation. And these relationships we experience serve to underline the absurdity of considering some of the characters as lesser members of society.

What I love about this series is that the stories are totally about the characters. There’s no big epic arc going on that means it’s a plot driven saga. There’s no focus on the technology and the sci-fi elements to drive the narrative. The sci-fi setting is just that - a setting in which it’s possible to tell the story of the lives of this small group of characters, and how they weave together.

I’m really happy to have found these novels, and already have the next two lined up ready to read soon.

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29th December 2021

I’ve seen this series mentioned in a lot of places, and so when I saw this first book for sale I had to grab it (along with one of the later entries).

It’s a book about some characters, and building their world. The plot is there, but definitely secondary, and that’s perfect for me.

Chambers has constructed a crew who are fascinating to learn about and live with, and a galaxy that’s got lots going on, but not to an extent that learning feels like a chore.

I loved everything about this book, and will definitely be reading the sequels.

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