A Review: Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

I’ve been chomping at the bit to read the third novel in the Wayfarer’s series, Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers for months now. After a few months to absorb the emotional ride of the second novel, I was finally ready for the 3rd round.

As with A Closed and Common Orbit before it, this novel isn’t a direct sequel. It’s definitely connected to the first book, but only loosely. It follows several characters in a fleet of generation starships called the Exodus—humanity’s lifeboat after leaving Earth behind. But after its initial mission to find new and habitable planets was fulfilled, the Exodus fleet remains home to many who chose to stay on board. There, we meet several people who have begun to explore their place in the galaxy and the purpose of Exodan values when they are no longer essential.

Jumping back into Chamber’s Wayfarer’s series is like reuniting with a friend with who you can be truly vulnerable. Like its two preceding installments, the story is light on conventional plot and is more like elaborate character pieces that I keep reading because I become so invested in who these people are and what they will become.

If you enjoyed how well the first two novels so effortlessly explored its Sci-Fi world, that too is on display but kicked up a notch. Here, we finally explore how mankind came to be a spacefaring species and how it became involved with the GC, and we are allowed insight into how aliens view humanity’s (and particularly the Exodan’s) place in the galactic community.

You should absolutely give this series a shot if you haven’t yet.

Seriously. Go grab a copy right now.

You can technically start with this book, but I definitely recommend reading them in order, starting with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. I think it’s a great way to ease into the world and voice of the story.