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

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

There was an inconsistency in the world building that just seemed like the author didn't fully think through or remember the entire time she was writing. I don't think it's even very noticeable, but I spent the entire read joking about it because I thought it was funny and that is the usage of gender neutral pronouns. 
In the beginning of the book, Sissix is telling Rosemary about the other members of the crew and brings up Ohan, referring to him (his pronouns change by the end of the book) with they/them pronouns. Rosemary makes a mental note of Sissix using what she considers "plural pronouns". Later, when she is unsure of what pronouns to use for him, she refers to him using xe. Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic to see neopronouns used in a physical, published book, but I am ASTOUNDED that they/them has completely phased out as a neutral pronoun.

At least, that is what you are led to believe. Later on in the book, Rosemary refers to someone using they/them pronouns, despite using he/him to refer to the same person earlier in the book. I am 1000% positive because i went back and checked and JENKS uses they/them to refer to someone whose gender he doesn't know. Conclusion? Rosemary is transphobic and only uses someone's proper pronouns when it is convenient to her.
 
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