The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
2014
- fiction
- science fiction
- extraterrestrial beings
- interplanetary voyages
- fiction, science fiction, general
- lgbtq science fiction & fantasy
- space warfare
- action & adventure
- romance
- lgbt
The story
When Rosemary Harper joins the crew of the Wayfarer, she isn't expecting much. The Wayfarer, a patched-up ship that's seen better days, offers her everything she could possibly want: a small, quiet spot to call home for a while, adventure in far-off corners of the galaxy, and distance from her troubled past. But Rosemary gets more than she bargained for with the Wayfarer. The crew is a mishmash of species and personalities, from Sissix, the friendly reptilian pilot, to Kizzy and Jenks, the constantly sparring engineers who keep the ship running. Life on board is chaotic, but more or less peaceful - exactly what Rosemary wants. Until the crew are offered the job of a lifetime: the chance to build a hyperspace tunnel to a distant planet.
What it’s like
Warm, unhurried ship-life told in close third person, with the galaxy rendered through small domestic details: the hum of engine decks, the clatter of a crowded galley, cups of tea steaming in a cramped common room, and long quiet stretches between stops at strange alien ports. The prose is conversational and generous, lingering on food, bunks, and banter rather than spectacle, so the vastness of space arrives in glimpses of starlight through a viewport. The vibe is cozy and openhearted, a comfort read with a low hum of wistfulness. It suits a rainy Sunday under a blanket, a slow evening alone, or a long train ride where you want to be gently absorbed. Pacing is leisurely and episodic, with the emotional weight carried by a guarded newcomer slowly learning to trust a found family of misfits. Violence is occasional and mostly offscreen, with a brief, sharp conflict in the later chapters; there is some profanity and frank adult talk, and romance is tender and low-key. Ideal for readers who want optimism, queer-inclusive warmth, and characters who feel like friends.
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