Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

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

6 reviews

lmfry's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Violence, and War

Moderate: Colonisation and Grief

Minor: Forced institutionalization and Medical content

mobymaize's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense 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

Damn this shit is so good. I really like a sci-fi universe that is built around the people in it, and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet provides. :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Religious bigotry, War, Xenophobia, Chronic illness, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Alcohol, Gun violence, Outing, Animal death, Classism, Colonisation, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Torture

Moderate: Blood and Child death

brucethegirl's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.75

A motley crew begin their assignment to reach a small planet that's beginning talks for inclusion in the intergalactic government. But this book isn't about that. It's not about the planet in question, or the complex ruling government body over the universe. It's about the team on this space ship. How they learn to become a family unit. How they learn about each other, and welcome each other ever closer into their hearts. This book is about creating space for the people you care about, and letting them care for you. And its about trusting the people in your life to make the best decisions for themselves. 

Something I loved about this book was the general sci-fi cozy of it. There are so few "cozy" sci-fi books, and it was just such a nice relaxing read about space travel and aliens. Chambers also excels in the cozy sci-fi genre as a whole with her sophomore series, Monk and Robot, which I read first. I love how the characters, even ones who already know they love each other and consider each other family, are still learning and trusting ever more. How they all begin to acknowledge they're more than just co-workers, they are a family flying through space together. 

I will say there was one point towards the end that really calls into the question the right to make decisions over your own body, regardless of the harm such choices make to those around you. It's a little bit of a complicated situation, and I won't get into details, because spoilers. But if body autonomy is a big trigger/issue for you, I WOULD suggest skipping this one. 

That said, I don't even know how to fully talk about this book. Not without giving away any other spoilers, but just in terms of nothing big ever actually happens. I would even argue nothing ever happens until the very end. This isn't a book to read when you want complicated love triangles, or dashing galaxy saving pirates, or anything of the like. Who love the idea of a cozy book, but don't enjoy fantasy or mystery. This is a book for those who love popping on Firefly or Cowboy Bebop in the background.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, and Police brutality

loss of body autonomy

a character who is of a species that can live hundreds of years without a culturally accepted parasite that shortens their life to a few dozen is offered a cure that will remove the parasite but refuses it. Wanting to die with the parasite. Another character forces the cure onto the alien refusing to let the team suffer anymore loss after the AI program they were friends with is reset, removing all memory of their friendships.

fairyollie's review

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.75

while the story started off slowly,, the world (GALAXY) building in this book was worth it. I also appreciate the diversity of the cast; if you are looking for queer characters, inter-species relationships, implied neurodivergence, and characters of color (though their race is undefined,) this is a great read! I look forward to continuing the series, as the ending of the book was where the true action picked up!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Xenophobia, War, and Genocide

Moderate: Ableism, Violence, War, and Xenophobia

Minor: Confinement and Forced institutionalization

thetainaship's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Torture, Violence, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Racism, Xenophobia, Genocide, and Medical content

Minor: Vomit, War, Slavery, and Religious bigotry

ableist bullying of autistic person justified by narrative; severe disregard of medical consent

bebidocrimes's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

This book made me realize I've been reading just to count books, not always for the stories. This was such a beautiful exploration in world building and cultural differences. Forget every other fictional destination, I just wanna be in the Fishbowl. The characters are all so fully developed, I can barely pick a favorite (Dr. Chef is up there, though). I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the series, hopefully before the 4th one comes out in April.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Grief, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia

Minor: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Slavery