Audiobook Review: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet – By Becky Chambers, narrated by Patricia Rodriguez

Amazon Summary

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. They'll earn enough money to live comfortably for years... if they survive the long trip through war-torn interstellar space without endangering any of the fragile alliances that keep the galaxy peaceful.

But Rosemary isn't the only person on board with secrets to hide, and the crew will soon discover that space may be vast, but spaceships are very small indeed.

The Story

I have rarely read a sci-fi book of such depth and obvious talent – and for this to be Becky Chambers’ debut novel is a feat in and of itself.  The focus of the story is more on the stories of each of the characters, their backgrounds, how they got here, and how they will move forward together.  Each crewmember on the Wayfarer is beautifully written and infused with emotion.  As the relationship between Rosemary and Sissix blooms you will find yourself cheering them on.  Without giving any spoilers, I was full on sobbing at one part and snort laughing at others.  And at times I was absolutely floored by the philosophical questions it was leading me to, right up to and including the meaning of life!

The Audio

Patricia Rodriguez was the first narrator I really listened to when I got into audiobooks and in my mind she is a queen amongst a highly skilled and lovely group of narrators.  She gets into each character and gives them a voice that brings them to life in a way that makes them real in your head.  If you had told me this was a production involving several narrators I would have believed you, she is that good at giving distinct voices to each character. 

Summary

Honestly, what are you waiting for?  This is a gem of an audiobook and well worth a listen!

Score

5 stars

Audiobook Review: Just Three Words – By Melissa Brayden, narrated by Felicity Munroe

Amazon Summary

Sometimes the one you want is the one you least suspect...

Accountant Samantha Ennis craves order and structure. As the bookkeeper at the boutique advertising agency she owns with her three best friends, it's her job to apply logic to the chaos. When one of those best friends, laid back Hunter Blair, moves in to share her loft apartment, Sam's carefully organized world is thrown wildly askew.

Hunter Blair's been the coolest one in the room since elementary school. Until recently, her biggest worry in the world was which of the girls in her cell phone to call on a Saturday night. But it's not long before Samantha sparks a fire in Hunter that has her questioning her old habits and longing for new ones. Isn't it a bad idea to fall for one of your best friends? Samantha and Hunter are about to find out.

The Story

This was my first Melissa Brayden book, (which is probably not something I should say out loud lest my lesbian card be revoked) but I was intrigued after listening to an interview with her on the Lesbian Talkshow podcast and decided to have a listen.  I was not disappointed!  The scenes were deftly described, the characters were nuanced and interesting, and the dialogue was hilariously witty and fast paced.  It was also nice to have a bit of diversity amongst the cast, and Sam’s bisexuality was presented brilliantly. 

The Audio

This is what a professional and highly talented audiobook narration sounds like – and I took copious notes so I could glean a few lessons from a master!  Felicity Munroe was the perfect choice to pair with this story, and she effortlessly brought each character to life and added a level of snark that fit the story perfectly.  Her Hawaiian accent was spot on and reminded me instantly of my Hawaiian friends - she didn’t go over the line into impressions but kept it authentic and believable. 

Summary

There is honestly nothing I can think of that was not brilliant with this audiobook.  If you’d like an introduction to Melissa Brayden or Felicity Munroe’s work, this is a great audiobook to get your ears on.  Highly recommended!

Score

5 Stars