The acclaimed modern science fiction masterpiece, Hugo Award winner for Best Series!
Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space—and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe—in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.
Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer… much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.
Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy—exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is offered the job of a lifetime. Tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet is definitely lucrative and will keep them comfortable for years. But risking her life wasn’t part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, the tiny Wayfarer crew will confront a host of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary’s got to learn how to rely on this assortment of oddballs—an experience that teaches her about love and trust, and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe.
Also included on Library Journal’s Best SFF of 2016, the Barnes & Nobles Sci-Fi Fantasy Blog Best Books of 2015, the Tor.com Best Books of 2015, Reader’s Choice, as well as nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Kitschie, and the Bailey’s Women’s Prize.
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I highly recommend this book to any and all bereaved Firefly fans. Like our dearly departed television series, it’s light, character-driven, feels quite episodic, and is very endearing. There’s also a steady but unobtrusive theme of addressing and embracing diversity through the lens of relationships between different alien species. It’s a gentle message that flows easily into the story and one that I deeply appreciated.
This book! This book! The people (of a variety of species), the universe they inhabit, the obstacles they face…made for an unputdownable reading experience. There was nothing I didn’t enjoy, even during the parts where I may, possibly, have needed a tissue or two. Love. It.
At the end of It’s a Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers I did something I haven’t done before with an audiobook. I instantly purchased book 2. In fact, I still had 27 minutes left on book 1 when I walked over to my computer and purchased book 2.
There is so much to love about this series. I could write pages on the interesting world Chambers built. The well-developed characters and different species of aliens. It is all extremely well done. I’m talking “well done” like get a sudden urge to take a long walk away from a noisy household on a Sunday afternoon so you could listen to just a bit more of this engrossing series “well done.”
However, what I’d like to touch on is the messages wrapped in this series. Messages of acceptance, friendship, understanding, inclusion. Chambers weaves these small tidbits of “hey we could all be better souls” throughout the book without ever sounding preachy or naggy. I loved this book and will be purchasing the paperback for my 14-year-old son. There is some cursing in it, and innuendos about sex, but I am comfortable with that. He’s seen worse on afternoon TV. I like the fact that my son will get a dose of these messages while reading about very cool space aliens.
If I could I’d give this audiobook 10 stars.
As an indie author I’m super jealous of Chambers brilliant writing skills.
I had seen this book (though the UK cover which is way cooler than the US one) around Instagram and was intrigued by the premise. When on a recent trip to the UK it was one of the top things I wanted to get while over there and I did, and read it right away. Not sure why it hasn’t gotten more press in the US as she is an American (as I understand) but it was on the recommended book displays of nearly every bookstore I walked into in the UK, yet I have never seen it in any in the US, a shame.
It was all I hoped for and more. I really enjoyed this story so much and as a huge fan of Firefly/Serenity which it evokes. I also loved the feel, setting and characters. The characters were so varied and interesting and I loved how the story developed. Can’t wait for the next one (which is on it’s way to me from Book Depository right now).
Author, Becky Chambers does an amazing job building a window to the problems of our own world by looking at a galactic society of sentients who are forgiving enough of humanity’s flaws to allow them into the galactic coalition.
Applause, Applause. These things need to be said!
So much of the sci-fi battle is built on space battles and galaxy-saving Macguffins, so it’s refreshing to read a small-stakes story that instead spends its time getting to know its characters. Chambers does a better job than anyone I’ve ever read at imagining alien bodies, cultures, and social mores, and the joy of the story is simply watching characters with very different experiences try to understand one another. A terrific slice of sci-fi comfort food.
Tunneling wormholes as shortcuts between planets is risky business, but this crew is one of the best. Agreeing to create a wormhole for a planet with two warring factions with diametrically opposed agendas for their home probably wasn’t the best idea. Come meet the lifeforms who create one of the most useful miracles of the future.
I loved this book. All the characters were awesome. There is so much diversity. They are misfits on a mission! I cannot wait to read the next one. I would recommend this!
One of my favorite books of the past few years.
I loved this book! I was sorry when it ended but thrilled that it was part of a series. This author is now one of my favorites. By all means, read this book!
An original world with great characters and story that pulls you through. I can’t recommend this one highly enough. Get it. Read it.
Well written. Compelling. Entertaining.
A good read, and so is the second book in this series!
Straight up sci fi. I loved it!
Ms. Chambers drew me into her multi-species galaxy and I didn’t come out again until I’d read the last word, at which point I was ready to dive into Wayfarer 2, which I did. This is the kind of writing, much like The Hunger Games, in which the reality of the novel is so vivid, the characters so natural in their manners, prejudices, fears, and speech, that you believe. As another reviewer said, this is the kind of reading that made me a reader in the first place. Complete escape. I looked forward to getting back to the book when I was otherwise occupied.
Thank you, Ms. Chambers, for persevering to the finish line of writing this, your debut novel. You gave us a jewel.
Now, can someone please tell me how long a standard is?!?
I absolutely adore this book. Chambers creates an incredibly interesting and believable universe, giving just enough detail to satisfy my curiosity but still leave me wanting to learn more. I also love her characters, learning their backstories and seeing the way they relate to each other was a lot of fun.
I love this story and particularly its endearing characters. I read the book last year, during a plane trip, and the story still resonates. I’ll surely re-read it soon for the pleasure of revisiting this adventure into space and the unforgettable characters aboard the ship. After reading this book, I read everything written by Becky Chambers!
Classic humorous scifi
Fun read with twists and turns.
I loved the characters. This was a fun book. It reminded me a lot of “Firefly”.
One of the most interesting and best written sci-fi titles I’ve ever read. Highly recommend!