Under Fortunate Stars | 
pickI don't THINK any of this is a spoiler but I went into the book knowing nothing at all and had a wonderful time, so maybe just take my recommendation to read it, and come back to this review if you feel like sharing the love (or yelling at me) after you've read it. 1/?
Robotswithpersonality 2/? Absolutely thrilled to be able to add another author to my shortlist of humanity-forward sci-fi. If you've read any Becky Chambers, you know the vibe I'm talking about. Yes, there are ships, and worlds, and aliens, and even wars, but what counts is the communication and compassion between people, between beings. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 3/? There is another way this book could have been written, pacing-wise, to add a thriller element, and it would have driven me up the wall. There are a lot of things to find out throughout this story, but I never felt like anything was being dragged out for meaningless suspense, that the reader was being exposed to an odious individual just to increase tension. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 4/? Perhaps even more so than is seen in Chambers' Wayfarers series, the people we meet in this book have flaws and vulnerabilities and even traumatic pasts, and it makes all the difference. It's an ensemble cast, and multiple POVs and timelines/flashbacks result in a lot of ground to cover, but again, it never really loses an intimate feel, even if the story is fairly epic in scope. 2d
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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Less chosen one narrative, than introducing the idea that people can choose, that whole 'bravery is being scared and doing it anyway' thing, with a strong element of redemption, 'this is my chance to help' kinda deal. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 6/? I can almost see a reader complaining that they saw a certain story thread coming, but I think that has more to do with a well-plotted tale, you are brought to an inevitable conclusion, the only one that would fit. Not fate, destiny, faith, or even miracles, as much as that last word is bandied about, more a chance to touch history, question the facts, and decide you want to do your part, because it's one of the good things humanity's done. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 7/? The best parts of Star Trek First Contact and Star Trek Generations combined: In a place where time seems to stand still, meeting people who were part of important historical events, meeting your heroes from history and the dawning comprehension of all the edges they contain that history has polished off, if you loved those aspects of those two movies, I think you will really love this book. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Suffice to say the only dismaying discovery I made was that this is Hutchings' debut novel, so I cannot immediately dive into her backlist and will now have to wait for her next book, evidently it will be in the same universe as this stand alone, coming out Fall 2025. Highly anticipated! 2d
