The long way to a small, angry planet

No, the titular "small, angry planet" is not Earth. In fact, Earth has been (mostly) deserted for a few centuries in Chambers's (Whole Body Vibration) impressive futuristic novel. Rosemary Harper is running away from a mysterious past and has spent most of her money to have her identity changed. She has gotten herself a job on a tunneling ship called the Wayfarer (creating wormholes as shortcuts through the galaxy) captained by Ashby, a spacer who owns the ragged ship. Among the crew are the reptilian pilot Sissix, Doctor Chef, and engineers Jenks and quirky Kizzy. Soon after Rosemary's arrival, the Wayfarer obtains the high-paying job of tunneling to the angry planet of the Toremi. It will take the crew longer than a year, and along the way they encounter pirates, experience interspecies sex, and make stops at several planets. Narrator Rachel Dulude does a wonderful job of distinguishing the characters with distinct voices and makes the new languages and names more accessible than they appear in print. VERDICT For sf fans interested in an examination of sexuality, gender, genocide, and hope. Highly recommended. ["This delightful debut space opera is less brisk in terms of action than is typical of the genre, but it is no less engaging": LJ 5/15/16 review of the Harper Voyager hc.]-Jason L. Steagall, -Gateway Technical Coll. Lib., Elkhorn, WI © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.