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readwithria's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet was absolutely delightful!
There’s a joke that in fantasy books the travel gets skipped, and in sci-fi the whole book is the travel, and that was definitely the case for this book! It’s a very long way to get to the small, angry planet, and the the hijinks that occur along the way are what made this book so enjoyable.
The Wayfarer crew was so lovely to read about! Their struggles and celebrations felt so real, and it was a pleasure to learn about the universe they live in through their experiences. I will definitely be continuing this series. 4 stars.
There’s a joke that in fantasy books the travel gets skipped, and in sci-fi the whole book is the travel, and that was definitely the case for this book! It’s a very long way to get to the small, angry planet, and the the hijinks that occur along the way are what made this book so enjoyable.
The Wayfarer crew was so lovely to read about! Their struggles and celebrations felt so real, and it was a pleasure to learn about the universe they live in through their experiences. I will definitely be continuing this series. 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, War, Xenophobia, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Racial slurs and Death
the_planetarywanderer's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit, Violence, Genocide, and Colonisation
pandemonicbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Really enjoyed this book!! Reading it felt like watching a space-themed slice-of-life anime. I really liked getting to know all of the characters and their quirks, and the lore was surprisingly expansive and very interesting. Will read more books from this series in the future!!
The fact that I really enjoyed this book just goes to show how I should pay attention to all the lesbian space operas my high school english teacher recommends. She never misses I fear
The fact that I really enjoyed this book just goes to show how I should pay attention to all the lesbian space operas my high school english teacher recommends. She never misses I fear
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Body horror, Xenophobia, War, Gore, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
Minor: Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Vomit, Colonisation, Medical content, and Alcohol
bzliz's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I had a hard time connecting with this, not through any fault of its own. Becky Chambers’ writing was enjoyable enough but science fiction has always been a genre I don’t gravitate towards. I felt a little guilty taking as long as I did to finish the audiobook since others are waiting for it on Libby but I needed to see it through to the end.
I liked the connection between the crew of the ship and the way they grew together. The way they coexist and learn how to relate to other species was interesting and I think it worked out in a positive way that made me feel like most of the characters had a satisfying arc. I didn’t mind the episodic feeling either. Each section of the book felt like it had a plot arc to complete while they completed their overall mission which finished with a bang.
Where I got bogged down was trying to keep straight all the other species and planets that factored in. That’s always been a challenge for me with this genre and I’ve been trying to expand my reading pool but I’m certain if I’d been reading a physical copy, I would have DNF’d early on. If you’re at all like me, go with the audiobook for this one.
I do think this is palatable enough for most people but anyone who goes in looking for big action sequences or the captain to be the big hero who saves the day will be disappointed. This book was much more a story of interpersonal relationships and a look at how our own prejudices can creep up on us. And although I did end up enjoying it, I won’t be continuing with the series.
I liked the connection between the crew of the ship and the way they grew together. The way they coexist and learn how to relate to other species was interesting and I think it worked out in a positive way that made me feel like most of the characters had a satisfying arc. I didn’t mind the episodic feeling either. Each section of the book felt like it had a plot arc to complete while they completed their overall mission which finished with a bang.
Where I got bogged down was trying to keep straight all the other species and planets that factored in. That’s always been a challenge for me with this genre and I’ve been trying to expand my reading pool but I’m certain if I’d been reading a physical copy, I would have DNF’d early on. If you’re at all like me, go with the audiobook for this one.
I do think this is palatable enough for most people but anyone who goes in looking for big action sequences or the captain to be the big hero who saves the day will be disappointed. This book was much more a story of interpersonal relationships and a look at how our own prejudices can creep up on us. And although I did end up enjoying it, I won’t be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: War, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Medical content, and Vomit
_david_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
For the first time in a long while I cried while reading. Not only that, but I cried twice withing half an hour. First in a sad way, then in a happy way.
I cannot remember any book who had this many rounded characters written in such an excellent way. The whole crew of the Wayfarer was made up out of characters who each had their own unique stories and personalities. Each character was put in the spotlight multiple times without it feeling jarring.
I cannot remember any book who had this many rounded characters written in such an excellent way. The whole crew of the Wayfarer was made up out of characters who each had their own unique stories and personalities. Each character was put in the spotlight multiple times without it feeling jarring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Grief, Confinement, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol, Colonisation, Chronic illness, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Death
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Incest, War, Xenophobia, Dementia, Drug use, Gun violence, and Medical content
There is a main characters with a big focus on their clan being led by a religion/cult. The present main belief is quite similar to anti-vaccination/medicine mindsets. Character's namedaniellekat's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Masterful writing. This has never been on my radar, but I've heard SO MANY folks sing the praises of Becky Chambers - I get it now. This was exciting while still managing to be relaxing and cozy. I loved that the science felt believable and how seamlessly Chambers integrated the different critical themes and topics throughout the narrative. It took me nearly 2 months to get through this, though (when usually I can read books in a week or so). While there was nothing specific that I disliked, I think the low stakes just never had me itching to pick this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content, War, Genocide, and Vomit
jackelinmandragor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual content, Vomit, and War
sitic's review
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think this book struggles with some people due to it's marketing. This is very.. cozy. This is not really exciting, or adventurous. This is a story about a group of people who travel together. It's focus is on shifting Points of View- seeing how humans see aliens, and each other, and how aliens see humans. If you want a story where conflict is generally wrapped up relatively fast, this is for you. If you want a novel were people think about how others love differently- this is for you. There's probably 4x as much content about love and families as their is violence or disquiet. IT's about found family, and people who have learned to make their way in a sometimes uncaring environment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Colonisation, and Drug use
Minor: War, Vomit, Violence, and Xenophobia
greystory's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Don't ask me to chart the narrative arc because I have no idea but I enjoyed this a lot. It was fun, lighthearted despite covering some heavy topics, had a great diverse cast (alien diversity, not intrahuman diversity), and good worldbuilding. Refreshing science fiction.
I cried for the last bit of the book and I did not see that coming.
I have a feeling this is the kind of book that I'll catch myself thinking about weeks, months from now. I'll be talking about something or reading something else or watching a movie or whatever and I'm going to relate it back to this book.
I'm intrigued at the world Chambers has built here and I'm very interested to see more. I have so many questions and there are so many opportunities to explore of this universe. I'm happy to have the fortune of starting this series when there's a full four books available so I can dive right into the next one.
I own a physical copy of the book but ended up listening to the audiobook. The narration is great and I thought it added well to the personality of the characters. I think half the reason I found Kizzy to be so fun was the way she was voiced.
I cried for the last bit of the book and I did not see that coming.
I have a feeling this is the kind of book that I'll catch myself thinking about weeks, months from now. I'll be talking about something or reading something else or watching a movie or whatever and I'm going to relate it back to this book.
I'm intrigued at the world Chambers has built here and I'm very interested to see more. I have so many questions and there are so many opportunities to explore of this universe. I'm happy to have the fortune of starting this series when there's a full four books available so I can dive right into the next one.
I own a physical copy of the book but ended up listening to the audiobook. The narration is great and I thought it added well to the personality of the characters. I think half the reason I found Kizzy to be so fun was the way she was voiced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Police brutality, Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: War and Vomit
shorelinepages's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Vomit