Book: Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
Read From: 29th September - 4th October 2021
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Summary: This is the third book in the Wayfarer series - a companion novel that depicts the lives of various (somewhat interconnected) humans in the Exodus Fleet.
I think this was definitely my least favourite of the series so far but PLEASE take that with a pinch of salt because I still love these books and this world so much! I am very much missing the aliens though (this one was very human focused with the exception of a couple of Aeluons who had a minor role and Ghuh'loloan the Harmagian). However, it was also so nice to see the inner workings of the Fleet in more detail, especially because we get some hints of it in books 1 and 2.
Record of a Spaceborn Few had more of a cinematic feel in comparison to the other books in this series - we get a lot more different perspectives and whilst they are somehow connected, all of the characters are still very much on their own journey. I enjoyed learning about Eyas' role as a 'caretaker' and how the values within the Fleet are reflected in her job of dealing with the dead. Isabel's POV was really interesting because she is showing Ghuh'loloan around, who is an outsider to the fleet, and we get to see it through her eyes - it's like we are learning alongside her! Sawyer was the most wholesome soul who just wanted to start fresh🥺 I loved him! I wasn't as invested in Tessa and Kip's stories, but they were great characters and whilst I wasn't invested in Kip's story generally, I did love him as a character!
I absolutely love the world Becky Chambers has crafted within this series, they're very quiet and humble books but they do so much - I think anyone who loves a character-driven story would absolutely adore the Wayfarers series. I don't see anywhere near enough people raving about these books, they deserve to be extremely hyped up! The beauty of the series being full of companion novels too is that you can stop at any time - so there really isn't an obligation to commit. I can't wait to get my hands on the fourth book and I think at this point it goes without saying that I will 100% be reading anything else Becky Chambers has previously written and will write in the future!