The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

I've only read two standalone (for now) novellas by the author before, so I always wanted to checkout her much more popular sci-fi series. And when it turned out to be a perfect choice for my September readathon prompt, I knew I had to give it a try.

I'm someone who does love character focused novels and books with less conflict, which is exactly what this one was. But somehow I couldn't really get into it. The author has managed to create a diverse sci-fi world full of different planets and moons, each having their own species with their own cultures and languages and traditions, and most of the species in some form of harmony with each other through the help of a galactic governing body. I thought this world building was pretty cool, but I'm not sure how more seasoned readers of the genre will feel. The found family trope is also executed very well by the author, and I loved the bonds that each of the cast share with each other and particularly how Rosemary fits into the existing dynamic. But none of this could make me escape the feeling that nothing much was happening and it wouldn't matter if I put the book down anytime. It's a very slice of life kinda story which probably wasn't what I was in the mood for at this time.

I will never dismiss this as a bad book because I'm sure many readers will appreciate this story for its inherent qualities - being very soft and conflict free (mostly) - and might like to pick it up when they need a soothing read. And I definitely loved these similar qualities in both To be Taught, if Fortunate and A Psalm for the Wild-Built. But it's possible the author's works are for me only in the shorter format and the novels won't work for me. So I don't think I'll be continuing with this series but I definitely will look forward to her novellas.