Library Journal
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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.

Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The crew of the Wayfarer make a small living building wormholes to lessen the distances in interstellar travel. They are a diverse bunch, with one new addition: records clerk -Rosemary, who signs on just as the ship prepares to go into deep space to construct a wormhole for an alien race long hostile to the rest of the Galactic Commons. What could go wrong? Like so many great space opera novels, this is really the story of the ship's crew as they band together in the face of danger. From Ashby, the affable human captain, to the marvelous extraterrestrial known as Dr. Chef (his two roles on the ship), there are many personalities here to love, and they all get a chance to shine. Rosemary, our newbie team player, predictably has a dangerous secret of her own. VERDICT A huge hit in the UK where it was first self-published and now nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, this delightful debut space opera is less brisk in terms of action than is typical of the genre, but it is no less engaging.-MM © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.