One of the hallmarks of her sf is that alien species have alien impulses, emotions, or drives that never quite map onto human ones. We see the Chanur novels through the eyes of the hani, so they map very closely, but the kif (explored in later books) have no comprehension of affection, love, or friendship. They have other ways of relating status that have more to do with power and ability, and are instinctual to them, so navigating kif society and politics is fraught. The knnn, tc'a, and chi are methane-breathers - the knnn are extremely advanced but can't speak to the oxy-breathers and can barely speak to the tc'a, who in turn can barely speak to the oxy-breathers - so usually knnn just do whatever and you've got to adjust. No one knows what the deal with the chi are; they hang with the tc'a is about all that's known.
I'd recommend her stuff without question. I like her early fantasy and most of her sf, though the Foreigner series is like, insanely long (like 8 trilogies?). Also, be prepared, she doesn't like to let her protagonists sleep for some reason.