YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space-and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe-in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.

Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy—exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is offered the job of a lifetime. Tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet is definitely lucrative and will keep them comfortable for years. But risking her life wasn’t part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, the tiny Wayfarer crew will confront a host of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary’s got to learn how to rely on this assortment of oddballs—an experience that teaches her about love and trust, and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe.

Chapters 1-5 (from "Transit" to "Tunnelers"
(view spoiler)[This is my first Becky Chambers book ever, and I am both excited and scared. Excited because it seems an amazing reading, and scared because this was a very hyped book, like all of her books, and I am a bit nervous. What if I have some unrealistic expectations and in the end, I won't enjoy the reading?
But these first chapters let me hope because so far I am really intrigued by them! These are introductory chapters and I like the way in which the author presents the crew. Yes, we are waiting to meet the most mysterious of them (and I am really curious), and yes, Corbin is not the nicest and sociable person, but they seem all great and I really like their welcomness and the sense of family you can feel.
Also, the fact that Ashby is starting to wish for something more without being motivated by some past hurt or some revenge or some desperate need for money is refreshing. It makes him unique. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 6-9 (from "Technical Details" to "Port Coriol")
(view spoiler)[This last one was a very long chapter and usually, I am not a fan of them, but this time I didn't mind it. It is true that, this far, it was just one long chapter amidst a series of shorter ones, but the best thing is that it was just so fascinating. Exploring this huge space and meeting so many races, each one of them unique, it's the best, really.
I know that we have a plot, and all the characters are great, I like them, but so far I am way more fascinated by all this diversity. And the different languages and ways of communication. It is astounding! (hide spoiler)]

I read the first 50 or so pages of this last night and I am absolutely obsessed. I love this crew!

Sibil wrote: "Chapters 1-5 (from "Transit" to "Tunnelers"
This is my first Becky Chambers book ever, and I am both excited and scared. Excited because it seems an amazing reading, and scared because this was a v..."

(view spoiler)[I immediately loved the crew as well. Well, all bar one grumpy individual. I feel Rosemary will fit in very well with them. I loved the diversity of species and how some use different pronouns or sway between genders. I feel this sends a great message to its readers about inclusivity. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "I read the first 50 or so pages of this last night and I am absolutely obsessed. I love this crew!"

The crew is the best! I am sorry for the late reply, but I couldn't use the computer in the past days and following buddyreads from my phone is not so comfortable to me!

Dannii wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Chapters 1-5 (from "Transit" to "Tunnelers"
This is my first Becky Chambers book ever, and I am both excited and scared. Excited because it seems an amazing reading, and scared becaus..."

(view spoiler)[I agree with you. The inclusivity here is amazing!!! (hide spoiler)]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I understand now why everyone says this is a great gateway sci fi book. It is very slow-paced and an intense character study. I already adore this crew. The entire focus for the first 70 pages was getting both the reader and new crew member, Rosemary, acquainted with the other characters and the ship. I thought it was a great way to introduce everything.

I absolutely love Kizzy. She is so eccentric but so lovable! Dr Chef also seems like a great character and has proven super informative about different facets of this world and his race. I really enjoy Lovey’s perspective, as well. It was quite poignant to view their interactions with the captain. There was clear chemistry there and her desire for a body was so sad. I loved the message the captain delivered about her choosing a body for herself instead of merely desiring to one similar to what the captain admires. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - .."

(view spoiler)[It is really a great way to introduce us to all these new characters, and all the different races out there. The author really creates a whole universe for us out there. And it was a pleasure to discover it!

And Dr. Chef is one of my favorites! Kizzy is eccentric and lovable, but Dr. Chef is just so sweet in some parts. And he is like a mother hen for all the crew members.
And the relationship between Jenks and Lovey is really a deep one. I appreciated the work that Chambers had put into it.
And about the captain, his relationship with the Pei (I hope it's the right name, my memory is awful with names, and I cannot remember how is written her! ) it may be sad because it is not in the best condition, that's true, but it helps to make him more real, in a way. But the other big favorites for me is Sissix! I really enjoy seeing her around! And I have to say that I am quite fascinated by her (hide spoiler)]

From "The Wane" to " Hatch, Feather, House"
(view spoiler)[We had some long chapters in this part, but again I didn't mind too much. It is more an episodic story than a whole, like a tv show, and this gives us time to see bits of this fascinating universe. We have the main plot, but it seems more like an excuse to travel around and meet new people than the main point, or at least, so it seems to me.
And this last chapter was really interesting! I wanted to know more about Sissix' race because it seems so fascinating and so different from our culture! And I am happy to say that I wasn't disappointed. It was marvelous to see how her family interact! Also, I didn't think Rosemary had it in her!
And I am happy to have meet Pei again, because Ashby is so happy when she is around. They are sort of Romeo and Juliet in space, but I am rooting for their happy ending!
Also, Dr. Chef story was really sad. I was hoping for a bit more of happiness in his past! (hide spoiler)]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[The space invasion could have ended far worse than it did. Thankfully Rosemary managed to interact with the aliens and give them what they desired. Their journey has already been eventful and I can only imagine it becoming more so, once they reach their destination.

I loved seeing the Wayfarer characters interact with others in the dock market place as well as with their friends on Cricket. It was in the latter place that Rosemary's secret was revealed. I can understand why she sought to keep it to herself but I was relieved to find she was still a good character and not caught up in her family's shady business ventures. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Eek, the captain's love interest has come aboard. I really struggled to see how they would interact and keep their emotions hidden from the rest of her crew. (hide spoiler)]

Sibil wrote: "From "The Wane" to " Hatch, Feather, House"
We had some long chapters in this part, but again I didn't mind too much. It is more an episodic story than a whole, like a tv show, and this gives us t..."

(view spoiler)[I agree! This does feel episodic. I don't think I've read anything quite like it but am loving how it is set out. Dr Chef's race is dying out and I found that tragic, too. Especially his part to play in the war and the death of his five children during it. I'm glad he managed to find a second family and some peace on board the Wayfarer. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - ..."
(view spoiler)[I agree on both accounts, Rosemary was really central to defuse the situation aboard, and I am glad that she is a good person, and that the crew didn't think too much of her lies! (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It was quite awkward, but it seems like the secret wasn't so so secret. Sure, not all of Pei people knew it, but some of them yes, and they didn't seem to care too much, luckily! But it was strange, that's for sure! (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I think it is unique, because it is full of optimism, inclusivity, and we don't have conflicts moving the plot. I think that the plot was not the biggest point in there, sure in this last part of the story it was quite central, but it wasn't so for the best part of the book.
And I am not really so happy with the conclusion. I am not saying that it was bad, or that I am disappointed. It is not that, and in the end, I enjoyed it, but it feels a bit rushed.
I am not so happy about the Lovey story. It was interesting, and I really enjoyed her as a character. Also, her relationship with Jenks was interesting because it was touching so many interesting points. But the ending didn't satisfied me.
But this is the only thing that wasn't really good, so I count this book as a win. I had a great time exploring this universe, and I loved it to pieces. (hide spoiler)]

Sibil wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - ..."
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I loved seeing her become a strong individual as well as an integral member of the crew! (hide spoiler)]

Sibil wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I was so rooting for them to be able to be open and out about their relationship! This seemed like a make it or break it moment for them. (hide spoiler)]

Sibil wrote: "Finished
"

(view spoiler)[I completely agree with you as my favourite aspects about this book were the optimism and inclusivity. It was such a diverse read and the plot was slow but every aspect about it taught the reader acceptance for others' differences, whether that be through race, familial history, beliefs, their home, their jobs, or their modifications. I am looking forward to plot becoming a larger focus, throughout the rest of the series, now close character studies has been garnered. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting September 28th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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Date changed. Restarting February 5th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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I am going to read, just been super busy recently!

Same! Need to finish some of the books I am reading and I will hop back here

Just started this! Im quite intrigued and like the writing style but it might take me a while to read. I like the character of rosemary and all the other people on the ship. It's cool that there's even different species! Has a fun energy to it and I'm going to try and read more as I'm not entirely sure where the plot is going