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A review by raenyreads
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
TLWTASAP follows a multi species crew aboard a spacecraft as they journey through space and carry out the job of a lifetime. The plot is interesting and would have kept me reading on its own, but its key role is in providing opportunities for the characters to shine.
Though the worlds and sites visited throughout the book are intriguing and cool to read about, I think Becky Chambers' true genius is in the set up of the social structures and communities of the different species we are introduced to along the way. Each is so different from the last, and this diversity creates a vibrant and engaging universe to read about. We don't just learn about their appearances, we learn about their families, their social structures, and how they interact with each other.
The characters in this book are the real stars of the show. Interactions and conversations in the book range from fun and silly to deeply significant and reflective. A particular interaction between two characters marked the moment I knew this was a five star book for me, not a big action scene but just a simple conversation. Through the story we learn the personalities and motivations of each crew member, and each made me fall even more in love with the group as a whole and as individuals. I loved all the characters by the end, but I think my favourites would have to be Sissix and Dr. Chef.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are action scenes and lots of futuristic technology to learn about as with any great sci-fi book. But it was the characters that made this a 5 star read for me, and maybe it will for you too! I can't wait to continue the series!
Though the worlds and sites visited throughout the book are intriguing and cool to read about, I think Becky Chambers' true genius is in the set up of the social structures and communities of the different species we are introduced to along the way. Each is so different from the last, and this diversity creates a vibrant and engaging universe to read about. We don't just learn about their appearances, we learn about their families, their social structures, and how they interact with each other.
The characters in this book are the real stars of the show. Interactions and conversations in the book range from fun and silly to deeply significant and reflective. A particular interaction between two characters marked the moment I knew this was a five star book for me, not a big action scene but just a simple conversation. Through the story we learn the personalities and motivations of each crew member, and each made me fall even more in love with the group as a whole and as individuals. I loved all the characters by the end, but I think my favourites would have to be Sissix and Dr. Chef.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are action scenes and lots of futuristic technology to learn about as with any great sci-fi book. But it was the characters that made this a 5 star read for me, and maybe it will for you too! I can't wait to continue the series!