Reviews

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

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luminous's review against another edition

3.0

I'm glad I chose to listen to this book rather than read it. I liked the narrator, and I knew quickly that I never would have wanted to read the whole thing with my eyeballs. This isn't really a book with a storyline. It's primarily world building. I even lost track of what thin plot there is, but that was okay because it wasn't important. This book seems designed to introduce us to this world, teaching about its technology, its history, its species, and even its politics. It was a little too sweet, but I also appreciated that sweetness - this isn't a book that will stress you out. The world was intriguing and I will check out the sequels.

Chambers also wrote "To Be Taught, If Fortunate", which I thought was superb.

mxunsmiley's review against another edition

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5.0

This was such a fun book! The characterization was so strong and the relationships were so believable and interesting. I definitely want to continue this series.

upmosttoaster's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-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

4.0

aceinit's review against another edition

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2.0

I can understand why people would love this book. Found family, character-driven, and very, very diversity-focused. But, for me, the book just didn't quite strike a cord. The characters are too archetypal and, as a result, never really stand on their own and move beyond their base outlines of Noble Captain, Rich Girl with a Dark Family Secret, Eccentric Mechanics, AI Who Wants to be Human, etc, etc.

I wasn't able to connect with the characters in a way that a lot of other readers seem to be able to. Due to that lack of connection, and therefore of deeply caring about them, the book just felt long and tedious. The focus of the story is about 80% relationships (whether it be familial, friendly, romantic, or otherwise), and 20% plot (which only rears its head on rare occasions, and quickly goes silent again). Ultimately, I found myself bored more often than I wasn't, particularly since the book tends to lean a bit hard on making sure to see everyone's point of view. Even in moments of real danger, such as then the crew is attacked by pirates, it turns into a lesson on seeing that, hey, even attacking, gun -toting pirates have needs, too, and we should be sensitive to those needs and try to help those less fortunate than us.

The crew is later terrified because they were invaded and, I want to say "robbed" here, but it's too strong of a word in light of how the scene actually plays out, but as a reader I only felt a sense of danger for maybe a paragraph or two before the whole scene turned into a lesson on helping others.

I can see why folks would find this novel a breath of fresh air from the grimdark that seems to be dominating both sci-fi and fantasy these days, and it is definitely that. Angry Planet is, at its heart, feel-good sci-fi. But it just didn't resonate with me in a way I wish it had, particularly since it came so highly recommended from several folks.

mooremat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful relaxing 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? No

4.0

blogthatbook's review against another edition

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2.0

This was a good read, with easy flowing writing, a nice cast of characters and a very rich universe.
Chambers must have put a massive amount of effort into building cultural traits and political mechanics. And she's managed to pull it all together really well. Everything plods along at an even and sedate pace, you never feel like you have to stretch yourself to keep up with proceedings...which was a big problem for me.

There isn't really an overall storyline driving this book, no real beginning, middle and end, it's all just sort of there. As a reader I was never presented with questions that I was itching to know the answers to, no edge of your seat action, no 'I have to read the next chapter' tension. The only payoff is the ending, which is really good, the last 80 pages was the only part where I felt attached to what was happening and compelled to read on.
If the author had of tantalised me with foreshadowing and a dangling carrot or two this would have been a great read. As it is I had to really force myself to read to the end.

Having said all that, this book is simply lacking the elements I like to read, if you're a reader who is more interested in character studies and you don't need a compelling story, then you'll probably love this book.