A review by mjfmjfmjf
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
5.0
Another read through on this one. It is not a fast read. And as a third read I knew not to rush it. This read again felt like a Firefly knockoff. But with aliens. The book just builds and hits and repeats.
This book is far from perfect. It comes off as being completely unoriginal. In fact way too often it resonated as being as life on the Serenity in the Firefly universe. But with the travel mechanisms of [b:Gateway|218427|Gateway (Heechee Saga, #1)|Frederik Pohl|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441698400l/218427._SY75_.jpg|1668837]. And it's got the runaway heir. And a Mos Eisley knock off. And it was a travelogue, which I particularly don't like. And fact dumps, completely unhidden. And it has that first book feel to it for good and bad. And at least one small problem that should have been solved with a 3d printer.
But. It is also a character study. And it is has interestingly different aliens. And a ship that comes alive. And kind of a love for all things that define science fiction - especially in space. And about a third of the way through I just slowed way down reading it, jut to make it last longer. Definitely looking forward to the sequel. And re-reading this some day.
And on the re-read I felt basically the same way. So clearly it's not for everyone. It's not an action adventure book. And it's not a deep intricate world book.
This book is far from perfect. It comes off as being completely unoriginal. In fact way too often it resonated as being as life on the Serenity in the Firefly universe. But with the travel mechanisms of [b:Gateway|218427|Gateway (Heechee Saga, #1)|Frederik Pohl|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441698400l/218427._SY75_.jpg|1668837]. And it's got the runaway heir. And a Mos Eisley knock off. And it was a travelogue, which I particularly don't like. And fact dumps, completely unhidden. And it has that first book feel to it for good and bad. And at least one small problem that should have been solved with a 3d printer.
But. It is also a character study. And it is has interestingly different aliens. And a ship that comes alive. And kind of a love for all things that define science fiction - especially in space. And about a third of the way through I just slowed way down reading it, jut to make it last longer. Definitely looking forward to the sequel. And re-reading this some day.
And on the re-read I felt basically the same way. So clearly it's not for everyone. It's not an action adventure book. And it's not a deep intricate world book.