Book Review: ‘The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet’ by Becky Chambers

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is the first book in Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers Series.

Sometimes it’s the blurb that makes me want to read a book, sometimes it’s the front cover that draws me in, and sometimes it’s the book title. When I first read this novel I knew nothing about it but ‘the long way to a small angry planet’ is such a fun title that it made me want to read on and find out more.

Small Angry Planet is an expansive space opera filled a wonderful variety of characters, a detailed story, and a politically complex alien universe.

The story begins by following Rosemary – who serves as the reader’s guide within the story as she asks the questions needed to help us understand this new universe. Set in the future, humans have left their dying planet and now live in a vibrant intergalactic ecosystem of alien worlds and species. Rosemary has left her old life on Mars to sign up for her first season aboard the tunnelling ship ‘Wayfarer’. As a clerk she is in a unique position to observe her crewmembers whilst also being able to offer a more diplomatic solution to problems.

Rosemary is a great character and we see her grow from shy and nervous at the start of the novel to strong and confident by the end. But what makes this book truly excellent is its wonderful ensemble of characters.

Every character is entertaining and distinctive in their own way. As well as Rosemary, the human crewmembers consist of: pacifist captain Ashby who only wants to do what’s best for his crew, the energetic tech Kizzy who loves life and fixing things, tech Jenks refuses to let people see his dwarfism as a disadvantage – he’s also involved in a secret romance with the Wayfarer’s AI: Lovey. Finally there is the clever yet utterly anti-social Corbin who struggles to bond with the rest of the crew.

The Wayfarer also has three alien crew members. Sissix, the reptilian Aandrisk pilot, is my favourite character. Kind-hearted and unafraid she always puts her friends first despite her homesickness. The six limbed Grum: Dr Chef, acts as the father figure to the group and the wise advisor. The final crew member is the mysterious Ohan: a Sianat Pair. Similar to an ice-blue gorilla, the ship’s navigator hides their illness from the rest of the crew.

Importantly, Chambers manages to achieve an excellent balance in highlighting each character and giving them a moment to shine. Although we start from Rosemary’s perspective, the chapters quickly shift to the other characters. Each character has at least one extended chapter where they are the focus. This ranges from a problem that only a specific character’s skills can solve to an emotional interaction that requires a tough decision. As I reader I loved getting to know every character (rather than just the main one or two) which really helped them and this world feel alive.

In some ways the plot is a simply one – a group of people travel from Point A to Point B. What makes this novel so good is a combination of both an interesting variety of main and secondary characters and the unique alien locations and cultures the Wayfarer encounters as it journeys to its destination – the long way round.

Small Angry Planet is an excellent example of a fun space opera interspersed with heart-warming interactions and surprisingly deep moral questions. It is a story that places its characters first in a universe where all types of people are included, represented and appreciated.

---

Related Posts:

If you enjoyed this review you may also like these reviews: