I only bought this because I have enjoyed every word that Becky Chambers has published so far. This is very different. I don't know how the collaboration came about, but ti's four authors taking turns with the same characters in the same setting, passing the timeline onto the next, they each get about 3 chapters. It works surprisingly well, with not a vast difference between the voices, I'm sure a large amount of back and forth editing occurred to smooth everything through.

Asala is a refugee come good, her family abandoned in the freezing of the outer worlds sh'es put her past behind her to become a seasoned vet, a sniper, and today a President's bodyguard protecting a visiting dignitary. The expected attack is easily foiled, and the 2nd just the same, leaving her considering a 3rd. She's not expecting to be sent on a mission with her protectee, let alone the President's 3rd child. It turns out that They have plans of their own too, and perhaps more of a conscience or at least can afford the political capital of having one, not yet being required to stand for candidacy. A Ship has gone missing - it's thought to be carrying 1000s more refugees from another dying Outer world, and both Nico and Asala are tasked with hearing anything they can find out. It turns out that Nico has suspiciously useful contacts everywhere.... but then it also turns out the refugees have developed something that every power in the System would literally kill to own, and nobody seems interested in sharing.

It's far from Becky's Cosy SF, but it's powerfully written none the less - the consequences of actions, legacy and global change, politics greed and being human all feature strongly, love for your family, and whether or not blood can or should be thicker than water? Are we all not Family? (apart from them over there).

Science fiction near it's best. ( )

I hoovered this up when it first came out, snared by a combination of favourite authors tackling topics close to my heart as a star system tears itself apart in the face of a self-inflicted crisis. The inner planets powered their wasteful lifestyles by harvesting the sun; as its heat begins to fail, the outer planets are paying the price. One by one, they are becoming uninhabitable – and the waves of refugees who dare the void in cobbled-together spaceships are finding they are unwelcome on worlds newly-aware of the cost of a growing population.

The series starts on cushy Khayyam, where the president sees political capital in taking in the last ship to escape frozen Eratos. When the Vela disappears en route, Ekrem sends his favourite mercenary – an outworld refugee herself – and his youngest child to bring them home. But as Asala and Niko investigate, they realise that seemingly benign acts may mask ruthless ambition. Nobody’s hands will stay clean in the face extinction.

It’s an AMAZING pitch and – as you’d expect from the author line-up – brilliantly diverse, with trans and nonbinary protagonist, much queer loving and more action (mostly from Asala). On first read (original reviews of each episode here), I found it good if a little uneven, especially on pacing. As a reread, I found it much more satisfying; largely, I think, down to the epic narration by Robin Miles. Miles is expressive, has a knack for distinct (and consistent) voices and her performance had me giggling and gasping in public (I listen to audio reads when out for walks). ( )

An exciting, distressing, dystopian sci-fi story about colonialism. Having multiple authors for the component parts of this novel worked surprisingly well, but having as many character perspectives and stories included as there were worked less well, causing it to be a little fragmented/disjointed. ( )

Listened to this on the Serialbox app (not very good for reading, but I like the concept). It was a good quick SciFi adventure. 3 stars because I'm glad I read it. Depending on your taste within SciFi, I *might* recommend it to you. ( )

When I first heard of this book through the offer of an ARC, researching it made me a bit worried. It's a serial of a single story with contributions from several rising-star authors.

That, alone, should have been enough for me, and it was. I just didn't put TOO many expectations on the tale.

And now that I've finished reading it? Maybe I shouldn't have worried so much. This Space Opera was FUN!

On a straight story-level, I loved the focus on refugees. Several layers of refugees-related themes permeate this novel. I really enjoyed the explorations here. Plus there's a big selection of non-standard character choices. Non-binary being the big one that hits the page a bit stronger than anything else. But more than all the rest, it's just fun storytelling.

The star is dying and a lot of genocidal considerations are on the table. Hackers, battles, and new tech are all a big part of the rest.

Did all of these authors pull off a seamless tale? I think so. I mean, you can tell that they all add their own style to the individual sections, but in no ways do any of them get in the way of the tale. :)

Definitely worth checking out. ( )