The Galaxy, and the Ground Within, by Becky Chambers

[sophia_sol]

This is a book exactly in line with what one would expect based on the previous works in this series, but somehow this one didn't land all the way for me, and I'm not sure why.

Did I like reading about a bunch of different aliens all dealing with their own stuff but doing their best to be reasonable to each other when unexpectedly stuck together for a multi-day emergency? Sure! But I never felt exactly invested, the way I did for the previous books. It was merely a mildly nice way to spend a couple hours. Which isn't a bad thing for a book to achieve, but is not quite what I hope for out of Chambers. Disappointing. :(

Comments

[chestnut_pod]

Ah, well! It is disappointing when a well-loved author comes out with something… less-loved. At least with Chambers we can be pretty certain she'll be around and publishing more things, which may hit better, for a long time to come.

[sophia_sol]

I actually also started reading A Psalm for the Wild-Built, which as I recall you posted about your myriad complaints about it -- and I had to give up a third of the way in because I was just so irritated at it! Which does worry me about what direction she might be moving with her writing tbh. But I'm not giving up on her yet, we'll see what else she comes out with!

[chestnut_pod]

What a shame! Well, on the balance she's still got more wins than losses for me, so like you, not giving up yet!

[sophia_sol]

yes, ditto, and some of her wins I have found to be really powerful, so here's hoping!

[lirazel]

I think it worked a bit better for me than it did for you, but I've had such similar experiences and I know how disappointing that is. I'm not even going to bother with A Psalm for the Wild-Built, but maybe her next real novel with be more satisfying.

[sophia_sol]

I'm glad this one worked better for you than it did me! It really does have plenty to like.

Fingers crossed about her next novel.