"The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[Kim]

Becky Chambers' previous writing before this book was a couple blogs and columns on video games. I read an essay she wrote on Mass Effect, it's definitely a game she is very familiar with.

[Jason]

Finished. It was an enjoyable read. I gave it 4 stars but would clarify that as a 3.5 star rating.

Like many others I really enjoyed the character development and the universe that Ms Chambers has developed over the course of the book. I did, however, find the over aching plot a little weak. That isn't to say that the plot was absent, but rather that the author essentially ignored the "big picture" aspects of the story in favour of character development. I would love to know more about the world of the Galactic Commons and find the lack of detail frustrating. That being said I will follow this author and look forward to more stories involving the Wayfarer and its crew.

[Jen]

Really enjoyed this one. Light and sweet. The alien species were interesting and I thought the inter-species relationships were handled well. I didn't once feel I was being preached at, but I liked the feeling of inclusiveness.

[Kim]

Whoops I linked to the wrong AMA. Here is the one where Becky discusses Firefly - https://www.reddit.com/r/SF_Book_Club...

[Diana]

I found this book childish and preachy, but maybe it was intended for a younger audience. I was looking forward to reading it, so i was pretty disappointed.

[Silvana]

Finished it last night. There was not much plot, was it? I kinda like the worldbuilding and diversity but I agree it was rather preachy and too contemplative - human this human that, over and over again. But it sure does have its charm. Might work best as an episodic TV series.

[Meg]

This did not work well for me. The characters seemed really thin, and too many of them cut from the same bland genial mold. They act like adults in an after school special or an unfunny Cosby Show.

It reminds me of Torchwood more than Firefly.
I used the audio version with Rachel Dulude.

[Glynn]

Nearly done, I am on pg 338. I have enjoyed this book. I like the characters and story and it moves along even with all the conversations. I didn't find it "preachy" at all (I don't even know what that means.) The only section that was boring for me was when they went to Port Coriol.

[Sarah]

I really enjoyed this one. I switched to audio at one point and it didn't work for me because of the lack of a plot. Still, when I was reading it I found it endearing and charming. I loved it and I immediately passed it on to a friend because I know it will charm her, too.

[Cheryl]

I'm convinced; I've ordered a copy.

[Michael]

Woo hoo!

[Gary]

I have finished half of this book. I feel that the characters are enjoyable to read about. It's a fun book to read, but up to this point there is no conflict. They do what they do, they look and sound cute, but nothing has happened that challenges them. Maybe that will change, but based on the comments above, I doubt that.

[Cheryl]

Longer than I thought it would be. I don't know any of the movies or TV y'all are referencing, though. The very first scene, the prologue thing, almost turned me off, because I haven't liked other 'poor me it wasn't my fault' stories. But it got better fast.

Off to the Final Thoughts thread, cuz I am done now, actually.

[J.W.]

About 60 pages in. Love the introduction to the ship and the way it's done. It makes me as a reader feel I'm going along with Rosemary and getting to know the ship. I've been very excited about this one and now that I've whet my appetite I just want to keep going all night. Too bad I need sleep.

[Cheryl]

I'd be glad if science invented a way we could all skip sleep, if we all used it for reading and other leisure activities like family time. But too many ppl would just use it to add more paths & passages to their rat-race mazes.

[Stephen]

I'm about 80% through it and am finding it harder to pick up each time! I like the writing and characters, but some of the plot points seem a bit simplistic. Like Kizzy has a fight with the algae guy (sorry forgot character name), then straight away has to sponsor him out of jail. She's a talented writer though and I would recommend.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I think this one has most of the plot (such as it is) in the last 20%. The rest of the series is even lighter on plot, but I think the results are better because it's not meant to feel like the traditional beginning, growing tension, climax, denouement type story like this one is set up a bit more to be.

[Stephen]

Yeah I agree, the pleasure is in the characters and the journey. I'm being overly grumpy for sure.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I don't think you're being overly grumpy! you can have feelings!

[Stephen]

Hah! that's not what my wife says when I'm grumpy!