The acclaimed modern science fiction masterpiece, Hugo Award winner for Best Series!
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… 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.
Also included on Library Journal’s Best SFF of 2016, the Barnes & Nobles Sci-Fi Fantasy Blog Best Books of 2015, the Tor.com Best Books of 2015, Reader’s Choice, as well as nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Kitschie, and the Bailey’s Women’s Prize.
more
I really enjoyed the character development and interplay. More imaginable space setting than most and non-xenophobic without preaching.
Unexpected fun and intellectually stimulating.
This is an entirely different approach to space. All about the culture and people. Reminds me more of Star Trek than Star Wars. Great characters, excellent storytelling.
I didn’t want to like it because then I’d have to buy the next books (2 that I know of). This a wonderful group of characters both human and alien. They’re more than colleagues, more like family. I’m hoping for even more background on the Exodan Fleet (humans that left a devastated Earth) in the next books. This is an author to follow.
This book is full of great characters. I stumbled upon this book by accident and loved the title. It was a great find.
I love the author’s creation of a variety of species with their own customs, culture and different perspectives. All put together in a fun, interesting adventure.
Imaginative and entertaining, enjoyed the read.
Great characters, very creative and realistic depictions of various alien species. An entire, believable universe is developed.
I really, really enjoyed this book. I have seen it referred to as “space opera” – that may be true, I’m not sure of the use of the term – but what I liked was the world the author created, the characters and the constant action. It reminded me strongly of the science fiction I grew up reading. I have just bought the second book of this series and enjoyed it, too. It wasn’t as action packed as this one, but was just as enjoyable. I hope this author continues to write about this universe.
There is a small list of authors on my automatically-buy-anything-they-write list. It is now increased by one and I’ve had that list for decades, so trust me when I say I loved this book, that much.
The characters are what you fall in love with first. They are so real. I’m reminded of making friends in college, where the people you meet are in a wide range of wacky and unique and totally unlike anything you would have sought out, but your small group of odd ones becomes closer than family and stay that way 30 years later. The book moves slowly when it comes to plotting so you might have to dig your heels in at first, but as people reveal themselves, you get hooked.
This is not an adrenaline ride of a book. And though the situation eventually builds to excruciatingly poignant issues of great import, it takes its time and sneaks up on you. A lot like life. So this isn’t a book I’m going to give my Star Wars friends or my military or space opera genre hounds. This is a real reading kind of book, not solely escapist fluff. Its got teeth and its got messages and lessons to be learned or remembered. There’s pieces of good world building here because characters require it, but again, its a character story. For more (or extended) world building, check out the sequel (again, highly recommended and does not play second fiddle to this book).
So, go get this already! And if the author reads this, please come out with a cookbook by Dr Chef. I think the world is ready and if not too bad, who hasn’t fallen in love with Dr Chef?!! Publish anything, I will buy it.
Much more character development and not so much plot line
This book did not live up to my expectations. The Wayfarer crew is multi-species, and the author focuses her talent mostly on them, (their culture, history, personal beliefs, taboos, experiences and how that makes them interact with each other). While the danger of space is present and the creation of wormholes is impressive, that is all the science fiction that the author gives besides a dash of genetic engineering and a sprinkle of artificial intelligence. I do appreciate the political conflict between species in outer space that Becky Chambers introduces, and I expect the space battles I’ve come to expect will be in the next book of the series. Unfortunately I won’t be reading any more of this series until my TBR list is conquered. The Wayfarers goes at the bottom of the list. What I did like was Kizzy. She is entertaining, realistic, smart, funny, and she steals the spot light most of the time. The elements of romance, sex, and love are done in a tasteful way that isn’t too preachy. And at times the lesbian relationship was emotional enough to give me goosebumps. This is a good and entertaining book. It’s easy to read and Kizzy makes the reading worth while.
A wonderful read!
I am sad to say I just didn’t get into this book. I think it had fun characters and it seemed right up my alley, but for whatever reason it didn’t capture me so it took a long time to read
I decided this month to do oldest TBR book, queer edition for Pride. This was amazing! I don’t know why I put it off so long. I loved the characters, the casual queerness, and of course that my ship sailed was just icing on the cake. I’m excited to pick up the next one but a little bummed to be a stand-alone and not a continuation of most of these characters!
Such a great book, with amazing characters. I can’t recommend this one enough.
This book has it all.
This is book 1 of the Hugo Award winning series of 2014. It certainly deserved the honor. The multi species cast of characters are incredible. The author depicts them in such a way that the reader comes to know and love them. The story is mostly used as a vehicle to describe issues that come up in “getting along” with multiple species. We certainly could take a page from this book and apply it to our own human race. I loved the book and am already reading book 2.
quit reading the book. Didn’t like it.
This book provides the author’s many ideas for alien life forms, their societies, and their social interaction with other races. The story line is rather thin, and I don’t think I ever noticed a plot, though that may become more evident in subsequent books in the series. There are some sub-plots which provide some action, but these are mostly tangential to the main characters. So, if you’re a Sci-Fi fan that loves meeting alien species and their societies, then this book is for you. If you’re more of a fan of space westerns and action, then not so much.