You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
A review by olivialandryxo
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Though I always meant to continue the series, I kept forgetting, unintentionally putting it off for years. I was struck by the urge to continue when, to my surprise, I saw a fourth book I hadn’t known existed on shelves at the bookstore, and I realized I missed the series. I wasn’t sure how easily I’d be able to re-immerse myself in this galaxy, as I remembered very little of the first book even after looking up a plot recap.
But I never should’ve worried. It was so easy to get immersed in this story, this galaxy, as if I’d never left. Chambers did such a brilliant job creating this expansive world full of unique alien races and cultures and politics, and I loved every page I spent in it. Although I wish we could’ve spent some time with the crew from the first book, I found myself really liking these characters and invested in their stories. Tak is definitely my favorite, though Blue is a close second, and I like Pepper and Sidra too. No least favorites to be found here.
I’m excited to continue the series!! :)
Representation
But I never should’ve worried. It was so easy to get immersed in this story, this galaxy, as if I’d never left. Chambers did such a brilliant job creating this expansive world full of unique alien races and cultures and politics, and I loved every page I spent in it. Although I wish we could’ve spent some time with the crew from the first book, I found myself really liking these characters and invested in their stories. Tak is definitely my favorite, though Blue is a close second, and I like Pepper and Sidra too. No least favorites to be found here.
I’m excited to continue the series!! :)
Representation
- genderfluid side character
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, and Slavery
One of the two timelines is about Jane, an escaped child slave. While the words slave/slavery are never used, it’s easy to tell that that’s what’s happening; she and a bunch of other girls are kept in a factory to work on a strict schedule, and when Jane escapes she’s not aware of what the sky is or that there’s a whole world, a whole galaxy beyond the factory. The child abuse and death tags are tied to this as well. Animal cruelty and death are tagged because Jane is forced to kill and eat wild dogs to survive.