Description: "When a freak technological failure halts traffic to and from the planet Gora, three strangers are thrown together unexpectedly, with seemingly nothing to do but wait. Pei is a cargo runner at a personal crossroads, torn between her duty to her people, and her duty to herself. Roveg is an exiled artist, with a deeply urgent, and longed for, family appointment to keep. Speaker has never been far from her twin but now must endure the unendurable: separation. Under the care of Ouloo, an enterprising alien, and Tupo, her occasionally helpful child, the trio are compelled to confront where they've been, where they might go, and what they might be to one another. Together they will discover that even in the vastness of space, they're not alone."--
Brief description:
Becky Chambers is a science fiction author based in Northern California. She is best known for her Hugo Award-winning Wayfarers series, which currently includes The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, A Closed and Common Orbit, and Record of a Spaceborn Few. Her books have also been nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Locus Award, and the Women's Prize for Fiction, among others. Her most recent work is To Be Taught, If Fortunate, a standalone novella.
Becky has a background in performing arts, and grew up in a family heavily involved in space science. She spends her free time playing video and tabletop games, keeping bees, and looking through her telescope. Having hopped around the world a bit, she's now back in her home state, where she lives with her wife. She hopes to see Earth from orbit one day.
Review Quotes:
"Great fun!" - Anne Leckie, author of Ancillary Justice
"Chambers' books are celebrated for their warmth, compassion, and diverse characters, but it's also worth noting that her worldbuilding is top-notch; it's a delight to spend more time in this universe." - B&N Sci-fi and Fantasy Blog
"This is a superb work from one of the genre's rising stars." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Record of a Spaceborn Few
"I deeply appreciate Chambers' science fiction, and I really enjoyed this novel. Quiet, kind, character-driven books are wonderfully restful. Delightfully soothing." - Tor.com on Record of a Spaceborn Few
"Optimistic, feel-good, adventurous and fun . . . . As good, smart and satisfying as its predecessor." - The Book Smugglers on A Closed and Common Orbit
"A quietly profound, humane tour de force that tackles politics and gender issues with refreshing optimism." - The Guardian on The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
"A heart-warming debut novel that will restore your faith in science fiction (specifically) and humanity (in general)." - Tor.com on The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
"[A] delightful, cozy novel. Devoted fans and newcomers alike will thrill with this imaginative sci-fi confection." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"For fans of character-driven science fiction who are interested in how differences can be a source of strength, not weakness." - Booklist (starred review)
"A story filled with heart-warming characters and intriguing connections. Chambers once again creates an epic space setting with a detailed, personal view of some of its inhabitants. Humor and heartache weave through her insightful prose and diverse characters." - Library Journal (starred review)