The Galaxy, and the Ground Within
Return to the sprawling, Hugo Award-winning universe of the Galactic Commons to explore another corner of the cosmos — one often mentioned, but not yet explored — in this absorbing entry in the Wayfarers series, which blends heart-warming characters and imaginative adventure.
With no water, no air, and no native life, the planet Gora is unremarkable. The only thing it has going for it is a chance proximity to more popular worlds, making it a decent stopover for ships traveling between the wormholes that keep the Galactic Commons connected. If deep space is a highway, Gora is just your average truck stop.
At the Five-Hop One-Stop, long-haul spacers can stretch their legs (if they have legs, that is), and get fuel, transit permits, and assorted supplies. The Five-Hop is run by an enterprising alien and her sometimes helpful child, who work hard to provide a little piece of home to everyone passing through.
When a freak technological failure halts all traffic to and from Gora, three strangers — all different species with different aims — are thrown together at the Five-Hop. Grounded, with nothing to do but wait, the trio — an exiled artist with an appointment to keep, a cargo runner at a personal crossroads, and a mysterious individual doing her best to help those on the fringes — are compelled to confront where they’ve been, where they might go, and what they are, or could be, to each other.
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Becky Chambers
Becky Chambers has carved out a distinctive niche in the science fiction world with her thoughtful, character-driven narratives and imaginative world-building. Known for her Wayfarers series, Chambers takes readers to the far reaches of space, but not for battles or intergalactic wars. Instead, her stories explore the quiet moments of humanity (and alien species alike), offering a vision of the future where empathy, connection, and understanding are at the heart of exploration.
Wayfarers
Wayfarers consists of four books and considered as a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
