sisters of the vast black by lina rather

This was better than other character-driven "space opera" books (Becky Chambers) because it had an actual, concrete setting with a history. The prose itself isn't that captivating but the actual plot and themes are very interesting. It's much less dramatic and feels less devout than The Sparrow.

confessions of the fox by jordy rosenberg

 Slightly charming and better than Babel.

lives of the monster dogs by kirsten bakis

 I was surprised by how unoriginal, one-note, and almost juvenile this was.