I feel like I'm gonna have more notes for this one than usual, but it's mostly because I feel there's wasted potential here.

First, the writing is technically clunky. So frequently, information is presented for information's sake without tying into exposition or characterization, or else bringing up interesting questions about the world. The dialogue frequently feels stilted, and were I to zone out, I would have difficulty picking up on who's speaking without backtracking.

Second, I applaud the optimism and inclusivity, but it feels misapplied. There are diverse names, but we don't get to see the cultures of these people in meaningful ways, short of one character's family's religion. Gender and sexuality are present and that feels like all they are. It's not that I need these to be microscopically examined, but it almost feels like a child walking up to show you the next Hot Wheel in the pile. Yeah, ace people are cool. Yeah, bi people are cool.

Both of these lead to point three, which is that the whole thing feels unconsidered. A space Coast Guard is cool, because there might be a lot of people who need emergency help in space! But why do we have a whole Navy, too, if there aren't external forces to defend from? Sure, pirates are mentioned, smugglers, whatever, but like... Things seem (militarily) well in-hand. Why are The Games so important? Sure, displays of skill are cool and giving soldiers a stage to compete can act as a release valve of tension, but we're never given a real reason to care. A life-extending medical procedure exists, but is the sole property of one family, and this is portrayed as okay because they're... Responsible???

I get wanting to write cozy fiction. I picked this up because it was mentioned in a similar vein to The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, and that's cozy as hell! But it's also thoroughly considered! All the information presented shows deeper characterization, world building, or consideration to what's being portrayed, and I mean at every element. Culture is explored, the conflict and goals build tension, and that's missing in APLitB.

The sauce of a cozy book is the sharp, tense parts, the contrast to the soft comfort. Tension makes the coziness feel all the warmer and nicer, because you look forward to it, and can look out and see the cold, dark outside. There's no tension here because there's so little consideration as to the gravity of the plot.

This book is cotton candy. That's fine in small doses, but not substantial enough in flavor, texture, or caloric content to justify its length. Small stories that can more closely examine different aspects of this world and its characters might have yielded a better result.

I can feel good kernels here, but no connections to each other or the future of this book. I'm tapping out at about 40%.

Murderbot solves a murder! It's fun watching it grow emotionally, and deal with its place in Preservation society.

If you're this far into The Expanse, you know what you're in for, but be ready for the crew to be split up. It's a lot of fun to watch them act without each other. Themes of change, survival, and what it means to be separated from family, found or not.

If you enjoyed Infinity Gate, this is the most brain-off recommendation I can make, and it might be the best recommendation you can get if you want more.

A very light read. I appreciated the themes of community and doing what you need to get by, but I feel like the plot and characters could have used more time to breathe. It was delightfully cozy, and I did quite enjoy my time with it, I just think my personal expectations were a little out of line with what was being provided.

Additionally, it feels strange reading this and being anti-"AI" (boy do I have more nuanced thoughts than what I can put here). I wish more was done to address the difference between the characters in the book and modern LLMs, or at least poke at it. I don't mind crossing that bridge myself - as a sci-fi fan, I'd done so years ago thinking about anthropoid machines and extraterrestrials and stuff. I feel like the lack of discussion on this was a disservice, though I can hardly expect someone to speak authoritatively on something so controversial that they might not have any level of expertise on.

The book handwaves this successfully if you're able to accept all of the book's characters are people (and you should! They are!). There's a touch on differing levels of sapience, but there isn't anything comparable to a modern LLM wandering around, and modern LLMs aren't comparable to people in a meaningful way, which I say confidently as someone with technical expertise and understanding.

All this to say, I can recommend this book - it doesn't ask much, has personable characters, a compelling narrative, and I do appreciate that it brought these feelings about in me.

I enjoyed Alastair Reynolds's Revelation Space series very much. This wasn't quite the same, which is fine, but it feels thinner. There is a lot of pulpy goodness in there with lots of neat ideas, but little originality in the rest of its structure.

It's a delicate balance, writing science fiction. The line between hard, grounded explanations of phenomena and outright fantasy can be hard to define and establish while balancing the reader's disbelief. This book does a wonderful job of it, while providing thought provoking ethical questions and engaging characters. The "sideways" exploration of reality, rather than in the usual three (or four, however you like to define those) dimensions feels very fresh!

I've referred to Becky Chambers's writing before as deeply empathetic, but she truly does do an incredible job at portraying complex issues and the difficult feelings that arise from them in a way that is both accessible and nuanced. That with an ability to build tension in a situation where you know someone gets out of it okay makes this book absolutely shine.

A wonderfully empathetic book about the various perspectives of people from outside a culture looking in, inside looking out, and both outside and inside examining themselves.

Are you a fan of space? Are you a fan of any of the hard science bits of sci-fi? Do you have a fascination with complex systems of many sorts? Read this book, just don't hope for a definitive answer. It's complicated, but very cool.

An exhilarating read! The characters are compelling, and the plot always has you wondering where you're off to next. Tyun's clever lies, Nicephorus's forthright kindness and honesty are delightful driving forces, and everything becomes ridiculous in very fun ways.

Oh boy does not a single person in this book make even one good decision, good grief. I know that's part of storytelling, but like... even one good decision. The prose is wonderful, and it does captures a wonderful atmosphere, though.

This was an enjoyable read, though it takes a bit of work to get comfortable with it. Just go in ready to accept things - it'll all come together after some time. Part of the enjoyment of this book is almost like sitting on the edge of a pre-established friend group and just listening to them interact. All in all, a hopeful message at the end, which is badly needed today.

It makes an interesting audiobook read! There are some... odd spots where you're listening to (relatively) short snippets of binary code, but there are some excellent (and heartwrenching) vocal performances that were very appropriately stressful. There are very few characters, but that just gives them each time to be examined and shine for themselves.

Also, what literally astronomically bad luck Demeter has, good grief.