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2.39k reviews by:
thecaptainsquarters
2024 reread:
Ahoy there mateys! Recently the Ma went back to Prince Edward Island and brought back some treasure for me. I was taken back to when I visited PEI all those years ago and how delighted I was to be in a place I had read so much about and fell in love with both in words and in person. Makes me want to go back. I love Anne and her imagination and the people of Avonlea. One of the interesting aspects of these novels this time were the different narrators (Kate Burton and Shelly Frasier). I liked them both and couldn't choose between them. I started down a rabbit hole and goodness are there lots of narrators to chose from. I sort of want to listen to the first book multiple times with all the different choices and pick my favorite (and take better notes). Of course, for me, my Anne will always be Megan Follows. Did anyone else watch the Avonlea series with Sarah Polley? Arrrr!
Ahoy there mateys! Recently the Ma went back to Prince Edward Island and brought back some treasure for me. I was taken back to when I visited PEI all those years ago and how delighted I was to be in a place I had read so much about and fell in love with both in words and in person. Makes me want to go back. I love Anne and her imagination and the people of Avonlea. One of the interesting aspects of these novels this time were the different narrators (Kate Burton and Shelly Frasier). I liked them both and couldn't choose between them. I started down a rabbit hole and goodness are there lots of narrators to chose from. I sort of want to listen to the first book multiple times with all the different choices and pick my favorite (and take better notes). Of course, for me, my Anne will always be Megan Follows. Did anyone else watch the Avonlea series with Sarah Polley? Arrrr!
2024 reread:
Ahoy there mateys! Recently the Ma went back to Prince Edward Island and brought back some treasure for me. I was taken back to when I visited PEI all those years ago and how delighted I was to be in a place I had read so much about and fell in love with both in words and in person. Makes me want to go back. I love Anne and her imagination and the people of Avonlea. One of the interesting aspects of these novels this time were the different narrators (Kate Burton and Shelly Frasier). I liked them both and couldn't choose between them. I started down a rabbit hole and goodness are there lots of narrators to chose from. I sort of want to listen to the first book multiple times with all the different choices and pick my favorite (and take better notes). Of course, for me, my Anne will always be Megan Follows. Did anyone else watch the Avonlea series with Sarah Polley? Arrrr!
Ahoy there mateys! Recently the Ma went back to Prince Edward Island and brought back some treasure for me. I was taken back to when I visited PEI all those years ago and how delighted I was to be in a place I had read so much about and fell in love with both in words and in person. Makes me want to go back. I love Anne and her imagination and the people of Avonlea. One of the interesting aspects of these novels this time were the different narrators (Kate Burton and Shelly Frasier). I liked them both and couldn't choose between them. I started down a rabbit hole and goodness are there lots of narrators to chose from. I sort of want to listen to the first book multiple times with all the different choices and pick my favorite (and take better notes). Of course, for me, my Anne will always be Megan Follows. Did anyone else watch the Avonlea series with Sarah Polley? Arrrr!
2024 reread:
Ahoy there mateys! This series should be way more popular. I think anyone who likes historical fantasy should read it. Li-lin is a fantastic character and I love her eyeball companion. It does seem a little crazy that a story about a woman fighting demons would be such a comfort read but the world building and characters are so lovely that I always end up with a smile on my face. I listened to this one for the first time through my Audible Plus subscription and I really enjoyed Emily Woo Zeller's narration. I want to revisit the rest of the series too. Arrr!
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Ahoy there mateys! Another port plundered and what a lovely one this is. This author’s debut novel is a historical fiction fantasy set in Chinatown of San Francisco in 1898. It is expertly written, in my opinion, and full of surprises – including the ending. I also thought the writing was rather lyrical. This novel definitely kept me engaged. It deals with elements of Daoism, kung fu, monsters, magic, love, and Chinese folklore.
The story concerns a young girl named Li-lin who can see the spirits due to her “yin eyes.” Her whole journey is filled with grief, learning, and pure spunk. Watching her grow as a character and face the consequences for her actions is wonderful and, at times, sad.
Besides the main character, my other favorite character was Mr. Yanqiu who has to be read about to be believed. In fact a lot of the descriptions of the “spirit world” are quite something.
I won’t spoil the plot of the novel but I hope a lot more people read it. And the author hints there might be a sequel coming . . .
Ahoy there mateys! This series should be way more popular. I think anyone who likes historical fantasy should read it. Li-lin is a fantastic character and I love her eyeball companion. It does seem a little crazy that a story about a woman fighting demons would be such a comfort read but the world building and characters are so lovely that I always end up with a smile on my face. I listened to this one for the first time through my Audible Plus subscription and I really enjoyed Emily Woo Zeller's narration. I want to revisit the rest of the series too. Arrr!
********
Ahoy there mateys! Another port plundered and what a lovely one this is. This author’s debut novel is a historical fiction fantasy set in Chinatown of San Francisco in 1898. It is expertly written, in my opinion, and full of surprises – including the ending. I also thought the writing was rather lyrical. This novel definitely kept me engaged. It deals with elements of Daoism, kung fu, monsters, magic, love, and Chinese folklore.
The story concerns a young girl named Li-lin who can see the spirits due to her “yin eyes.” Her whole journey is filled with grief, learning, and pure spunk. Watching her grow as a character and face the consequences for her actions is wonderful and, at times, sad.
Besides the main character, my other favorite character was Mr. Yanqiu who has to be read about to be believed. In fact a lot of the descriptions of the “spirit world” are quite something.
I won’t spoil the plot of the novel but I hope a lot more people read it. And the author hints there might be a sequel coming . . .
2024 reread:
Ahoy there mateys! I listened to the whole series again this year and have to admit that books three and four continue to be my favorites. I love getting the viewpoint in book three of the human space station and its culture. I also love the alien researcher and the field notes they write. I love book four because there are no humans and I love seeing the way station and how it caters to everyone. More cozy yet thoughtful reads. Arrrr!
*************
Ahoy there me mateys! I absolutely fell in love with this author’s first and second novels. This is the third book in the Wayfarers series. It actually can be read as a stand-alone, though I still recommend readin’ them in order.
What I find fascinating about this series is how each book feels so different from the others in both tone and writing style and yet the books keep getting better and better. I gobbled this one up.
This book focuses on the Exodus Fleet which were the generation ships that left Earth long ago to find a new place among the stars. They did find a stopping point and many, many subsequent generations have left the ships and adapted to life on planets throughout the galaxy. Yet there still remains a sizable population on board the fleet. But the ships are old and dealing with non-humans have led many changes. Does the fleet serve a purpose anymore?
The beginning of the book starts with a catastrophe that the impacts the remainder of the story. The book follows several points of view:
- Tessa – her brother left the Fleet and she stayed on to raise her family; did she make the right choice for her children and herself staying behind?
- Kip – a teenager who doesn’t know what direction his life should take; can he find the correct task on board or does he need to be anywhere but where he is?
- Sawyer – a young adult who grew up planetside but visits the Fleet to understand his cultural past and to explore a possible new future; is he prepared for a new life in space?
- Isobel – an archivist tasked with preserving the history of Earth as well as recording the present for those to come; how can she make sure the correct memories and events are preserved when so many people seem to be leaving the Fleet?
- Eyas – a caretaker of the dead dealing with the aftermath of the catastrophe; has her function been superseded by the recent technological changes in the Fleet or can she regain the sense of purpose of her task?
Side note: there is also an academic “alien” visitor to the Fleet doing research that I adored! Ye get to read some of the academic journal entries and observe some on board conversations.
This book is a character driven story. The purpose, for this reader at least, was to delve into the lives of the Fleet residents and explore the past, present, and potential future of the humans who reside in the stars. I found all viewpoints to be wonderful snippets of the life of humans trying to figure out their places in a universe greater than anything imaginable to those who came from Earth. The book is bittersweet at times but overall powerful and optimistic. I love this series and hope Becky Chambers has many more stories to tell.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there mateys! I listened to the whole series again this year and have to admit that books three and four continue to be my favorites. I love getting the viewpoint in book three of the human space station and its culture. I also love the alien researcher and the field notes they write. I love book four because there are no humans and I love seeing the way station and how it caters to everyone. More cozy yet thoughtful reads. Arrrr!
*************
Ahoy there me mateys! I absolutely fell in love with this author’s first and second novels. This is the third book in the Wayfarers series. It actually can be read as a stand-alone, though I still recommend readin’ them in order.
What I find fascinating about this series is how each book feels so different from the others in both tone and writing style and yet the books keep getting better and better. I gobbled this one up.
This book focuses on the Exodus Fleet which were the generation ships that left Earth long ago to find a new place among the stars. They did find a stopping point and many, many subsequent generations have left the ships and adapted to life on planets throughout the galaxy. Yet there still remains a sizable population on board the fleet. But the ships are old and dealing with non-humans have led many changes. Does the fleet serve a purpose anymore?
The beginning of the book starts with a catastrophe that the impacts the remainder of the story. The book follows several points of view:
- Tessa – her brother left the Fleet and she stayed on to raise her family; did she make the right choice for her children and herself staying behind?
- Kip – a teenager who doesn’t know what direction his life should take; can he find the correct task on board or does he need to be anywhere but where he is?
- Sawyer – a young adult who grew up planetside but visits the Fleet to understand his cultural past and to explore a possible new future; is he prepared for a new life in space?
- Isobel – an archivist tasked with preserving the history of Earth as well as recording the present for those to come; how can she make sure the correct memories and events are preserved when so many people seem to be leaving the Fleet?
- Eyas – a caretaker of the dead dealing with the aftermath of the catastrophe; has her function been superseded by the recent technological changes in the Fleet or can she regain the sense of purpose of her task?
Side note: there is also an academic “alien” visitor to the Fleet doing research that I adored! Ye get to read some of the academic journal entries and observe some on board conversations.
This book is a character driven story. The purpose, for this reader at least, was to delve into the lives of the Fleet residents and explore the past, present, and potential future of the humans who reside in the stars. I found all viewpoints to be wonderful snippets of the life of humans trying to figure out their places in a universe greater than anything imaginable to those who came from Earth. The book is bittersweet at times but overall powerful and optimistic. I love this series and hope Becky Chambers has many more stories to tell.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
2024 reread:
Ahoy there mateys! I listened to the whole series again this year and have to admit that books three and four continue to be my favorites. I love getting the viewpoint in book three of the human space station and its culture. I also love the alien researcher and the field notes they write. I love book four because there are no humans and I love seeing the way station and how it caters to everyone. More cozy yet thoughtful reads. Arrrr!
*************
Ahoy there me mateys! I received a copy of this sci-fi novel from NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings . . .
This is the last book of the series and I adored it. While all four can potentially be read as standalones, I have loved each subsequent book more and more and recommend them in order of publication. I honestly go back and forth about which is me favourite and will certainly be reading the series over and over again.
The book takes place near the planet Gora whose planet has no value except as a way-stop for people traveling to other places. Three such travelers find themselves stranded there due to a mechanical failure. The interactions between the characters while they wait are what drive the plot and action. I was hesitant about some at first but by the end loved them all.
Unlike the other books in this series, humans are not main characters and only play a minor role. The result is learning about the other races through the lens of their own cultures. It was lovely. This can be read as just a feel-good story or, as always, the reader can drawn deeper insight about our own cultures and belief systems.
To me all the books in the series tie together so well even if at first glance they seem to have less in common. Becky Chambers is skilled at payoff but it is not flashy or bright. It is comfy, cozy, and hopeful. Sometimes that is exactly what I need. Arrrr!
Ahoy there mateys! I listened to the whole series again this year and have to admit that books three and four continue to be my favorites. I love getting the viewpoint in book three of the human space station and its culture. I also love the alien researcher and the field notes they write. I love book four because there are no humans and I love seeing the way station and how it caters to everyone. More cozy yet thoughtful reads. Arrrr!
*************
Ahoy there me mateys! I received a copy of this sci-fi novel from NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings . . .
This is the last book of the series and I adored it. While all four can potentially be read as standalones, I have loved each subsequent book more and more and recommend them in order of publication. I honestly go back and forth about which is me favourite and will certainly be reading the series over and over again.
The book takes place near the planet Gora whose planet has no value except as a way-stop for people traveling to other places. Three such travelers find themselves stranded there due to a mechanical failure. The interactions between the characters while they wait are what drive the plot and action. I was hesitant about some at first but by the end loved them all.
Unlike the other books in this series, humans are not main characters and only play a minor role. The result is learning about the other races through the lens of their own cultures. It was lovely. This can be read as just a feel-good story or, as always, the reader can drawn deeper insight about our own cultures and belief systems.
To me all the books in the series tie together so well even if at first glance they seem to have less in common. Becky Chambers is skilled at payoff but it is not flashy or bright. It is comfy, cozy, and hopeful. Sometimes that is exactly what I need. Arrrr!
