Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

Hi everyone

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is the second book in the Monk and Robot series by Becky Chambers.
I read this on my e-reader because I couldn't find the physical books in the series anywhere. I would love to own them as a paperback though. 

"After touring the rural areas of Panga, Sibling Dex (a Tea Monk of some renown) and Mosscap (a robot sent on a quest to determine what humanity really needs) turn their attention to the villages and cities of the little moon they call home.
They hope to find the answers they seek, while making new friends, learning new concepts, and experiencing the entropic nature of the universe.
Becky Chambers's new series continues to ask: in a world where people have what they want, does having more even matter?
They're going to need to ask it a lot."

This was really, really lovely. It's sweet, cozy, easy, optimistic and warm. Perfect for when you need something light that will make you feel all warm inside.
The only thing I didn't like is the length of the book. We skipped too much story, too many travels and interactions I would have loved to read about. But that's the only thing I can think off.

Happy reading!
Helena

Becky Chambers: A Psalm for the Wild-Built

 Hi everyone

A Psalm for the Wild-Built is the first book in Becky Chamber's new bookseries; Monk and Robot. I could not find it in paperback so I read it on my e-reader.

"Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.
Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They will need to ask it a lot. Chambers' series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?"

I enjoyed this a lot. In the style I am used to from Chambers, it is a true feelgood novel.

It makes you smile, sigh, feel all warm inside and it's just a lovely read.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Becky Chambers: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Hi everyone

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is Becky Chambers’ debut novel. This is the first book in the Wayfarers series.
My copy has 404 pages and I got it from Book Depository.

“Somewhere within our crowded sky, a crew of wormhole builders hops from planet to planet, on their way to the job of a lifetime. To the galaxy at large, humanity is a minor species, and one patched-up construction vessel is a mere speck on the starchart. This is an everyday sort of ship, just trying to get from here to there.
But all voyages leave their mark, and even the most ordinary of people have stories worth telling. A young Martian woman, hoping the vastness of space will put some distance between herself and the life she‘s left behind. An alien pilot, navigating life without her own kind. A pacifist captain, awaiting the return of a loved one at war.
Set against a backdrop of curious cultures and distant worlds, this episodic tale weaves together the adventures of nine eclectic characters, each on a journey of their own.”

I loved this book so much.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is stunning, brilliant. It’s touching, interesting, funny, it has a lot of depth, it has meaning and it’s different from anything else I’ve read so far.

The characters are great; they’re complex, well-developped, completely unique and they feel true. The book is very character-driven. There are some truly unique and very diverse species (in all aspects) and I loved the way they interacted. Most of them try their hardest, but it’s clear it’s not easy to live with or to communicate with someone from a different species. I loved these parts; their doubts and uncertainties, the thoughts about their own and others’ behaviour and the way each of these species communicate. They feel real and they act with real emotions. I felt so connected to them!
There’s so much love in this book and it warmed my heart to read it. Very touching.

The setting is absolutely fascinating. Chambers’ worldbuilding is amazing and I love the universe she created. We get some history about this universe as we travel through it but it never feels like an info-dump. It feels bigger than the book and I mean that in the best way possible.There’s an untold history here that’s only hinted at. Same goes for the other worlds. There’s so much more I want in this universe.
There’s not much to the plot because it’s mostly about the crew’s daily life but I found it to be incredibly entertaining.

The writing is very elegant.
There are lots of details about the food, scents, clothing and many other things.

Chambers can be a bit preachy though. The moral messages she wants to put forward are rather blatant and obvious. It doesn’t make it any less enjoyable but it is something to keep in mind.
What did annoy me was how the book was split into different parts; one for every character. It felt like she just went over her list of characters, giving them all some time to shine.

This book is not for you if you want lots of action, if you’re not interested in the emotions or the small problems of the characters because this book is definitely character- and worldfocused.

It has been compared to Firefly a lot and it’s true. I’m sure that if you love Firefly, you’ll adore this.
The book made me smile and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy reading it.

I absolutely loved this. 

5 STARS

Happy reading!
Helena