Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

This is a 5-star book not because it's some wildly innovative book, or the kind that is so all-absorbing that it leaves you with a "book hangover." But it is just a thoroughly enjoyable read. (All the CWs noted are fairly moderate-- that is, not super graphic content, and in general relate to specific events in the story.)

Content Warnings

thereadinghammock's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book made my little mammal brain think real hard about social dynamics in a way I wasn't expecting. Seeing how such a variety of species and cultures interact, mingle, and function on such a large scale was wonderful and really helped put into perspective how even if you think you're open-minded and unbiased, you are still only a product of your own cultural upbringing and experiences. We all have blind spots and that's ok. What matters is how we deal with those blind spots when we're confronted with them, for better or worse.

The crew of the Wayfarer was an absolute delight to travel with. I absolutely loved Kizzy and Sissix, Dr. Chef was a genuine delight. And everyone they met along the way just added more color to their adventure.

There were times that I felt the story took a back seat to the interpersonal ship dynamics--like it felt like there should have been more dealings or context with the Toremi Ka, or follow up from that. The story getting to that point was so rich and then the ending almost felt rushed after? I know there are subsequent sequels/follow up books as well, but I kind of wanted more before this one wrapped up. I think I'll enjoy checking back in on the crew of the Wayfarer again, but I'm not running to my library to request the next one, you know?

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crufts's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This warm, loving novel about the value of found family was a delight to read.

It's also the first book I've read that feels like a webcomic - particularly some long-form story-focused ones. Just as these webcomics do, the story...

Begins with our protagonist entering a new world with a new group of colleagues. (Edward is a new retail employee hire at a store in the webcomic Between Failures. Syr'nj is a nervous, recently-started adventurer joining an adventuring party in Guilded Age. Bitty is a new teammate joining an ice hockey team in Check, Please!.)
The protagonist has doubts, or otherwise comes into conflict with their new group. (Edward argues with Carol, the floor manager. Syr'nj's serious and sincere manner is ridiculed by her more jokey and cynical teammates. Bitty faints on the ice when he gets "checked" by other players during practice [a hockey move involving ramming into other players] and the team captain, Jack, chastises him.)
The group must handle some first-act conflicts and challenges that push them to work together, improving their relationships. (Edward and Carol apologize to each other, following encouragement from the other retail employees. A member of Syr'nj's adventuring party is kidnapped and the rest must work together to rescue her. Jack encourages Bitty to persevere and practice being "checked" until he stops fainting.)
In the process, the protagonist becomes especially close with a member of the new group. (Edward begins to date Nina, one of the other retail employees. Syr'nj becomes close with the party's berserker, Byron. Bitty learns about the pressure Jack is under as the son of a famous ice hockey player.) At this point, the group considers eachother no longer just friends, but a found family.
In the second act, the group must contend with a major challenge - one that threatens the foundation of their little family. (Ed's retail store is slated to close due to low sales. War is poised to break out across the land unless Syr'nj and her party can broker peace between clashing nations. The team is facing their final game before Bitty finishes college, but he still struggles with being "checked".)
Under pressure from this major threat, the found family learns more about each other's secrets and backstory, binding their friendship even stronger. (Carol learns about how Thomas's ex-girlfriend has cast a shadow over his life for years. Syr'nj learns the terrible origin behind Byron's berserker curse. Bitty tells Jack how students at school hit him for being gay, and how being "checked" brings him right back to the slurs and bullying they threw at him.)
Finally, the threat grows larger than ever. But because of the strength of their bonds, the found family successfully conquers the threat. (The retail store employees work together to protect Thomas while his ex-girlfriend sells her book at the store. The adventuring party's love and care for eachother makes it possible for them to end Byron's curse and fight through the literal end of their world. In the final hockey game, Bitty raises himself from the ice after being "checked" to the floor, allowing the winning goal to be scored.)
(For a longer webcomic, repeat steps 3-7 as many times as desired.)

And TLWTASAP does the same thing. The parallels are so close that it's amazing. Seriously, how did this happen? My best guess is that for some reason, "found family" is just a really popular theme for webcomics.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this format in the book and definitely look forward to reading onwards to the sequel. Supposedly it's even better?!

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lotten4's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The main focus is on uncovering the complex but delightful world Chambers has created. This is done through several detours from the main plot and from the different perspectives of the crew members, both human and aliens.

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_forestofpages's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is a light-hearted space opera, light on politics for book 1, and heavy on character focus and some hard hitting topics.

Pros: I loved the crew from the jump, the writing was fluid and fun, the author has a good sense of humor, the world building and learning about the different types of alien species are by far the coolest aspect of the book and quite original in terms of cultures and species.

Cons: not a whole lot happens in the book for the first 170 pages; its very light on action and supense, the situations that do occur that have higher stakes get resolved lightning fast, the ending was abrupt and is clearly leading into the sequel, and lastly a personal issue was the over generalization of certain types of people.

Overall I did enjoy this. It felt wholesome and light-hearted but still talked about some deep and psychological things, including grief/suffering and how people can marginalize theirselves in their suffering, how we compare to others and how unhealthy that is, the nonsensical and horrible realities of war, how political games put more stock in the prospect of gaining resources than in people's lives, racism/xenophobia, etc.

There are some great and profound discussion topics here and I can't wait to pick up the rest of the trilogy.

Content Warnings