booksthatburn's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As the second book in the series, A PRAYER FOR THE CROWN SHY continues the journey of Mosscap and Sibling Dex, this time meeting people rather than staying in the wilderness. It kind of wraps up things left hanging from the previous book, because Mosscap wanted to meet humans, and so it needed help to meet more humans than just Sibling Dex. The monk had been trying to figure out their life, what to do on a daily basis, and also in terms of a bigger trajectory, if they were no longer going to serve tea.
This is satisfying in a way that means I'm not sure whether there will be more books in the series. It's a story of two entities trying to figure out their lives as individuals and in the context of their communities, as well as exploring what those communities are. The first book was in the wilderness, but this time around there are other people to talk to. There's a mix of opening up new relationships, and reacquainting Sibling Dex with people they already know.
This is a bit calmer than I usually like my stories, but I love books full of dialogue, and most of this is a series of conversations. Finally arriving in civilization, the monk and the robot travel from settlement to settlement while Mosscap asks what people need. It’s a very meditative and philosophical book, with much of the story consisting of the discussion between the main characters (sometimes involving other people). A PRAYER FOR THE CROWN-SHY would mostly make sense to someone who started here without reading the first one, but it has resolutions to questions implied in A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT, and both books are very short. I definitely recommend reading them in order.
This is satisfying in a way that means I'm not sure whether there will be more books in the series. It's a story of two entities trying to figure out their lives as individuals and in the context of their communities, as well as exploring what those communities are. The first book was in the wilderness, but this time around there are other people to talk to. There's a mix of opening up new relationships, and reacquainting Sibling Dex with people they already know.
This is a bit calmer than I usually like my stories, but I love books full of dialogue, and most of this is a series of conversations. Finally arriving in civilization, the monk and the robot travel from settlement to settlement while Mosscap asks what people need. It’s a very meditative and philosophical book, with much of the story consisting of the discussion between the main characters (sometimes involving other people). A PRAYER FOR THE CROWN-SHY would mostly make sense to someone who started here without reading the first one, but it has resolutions to questions implied in A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT, and both books are very short. I definitely recommend reading them in order.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Cursing
Minor: Excrement and Sexual content
addie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Sexual content
marleywrites's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The coziest of cozy sci fi. I listened on audiobook— the narrator nailed this performance. This is such a nice slice of life, low stakes story. I wanna be a member of Dex’s family. I love Mosscap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
the_reading_wren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Being back in the optimistic world Becky Chambers has created in the Monk and Robot series was delightful! This time, Sibling Dex and Mosscap explore ideas of home, family and purpose in a world where everyone's basic needs are met and the planet is healing. As they continue their journey, Mosscap meets a lot of new people and sees new places for the first time. This cleverly helps the reader get to know the world better and gives Dex a new perspective on their home.
This series of novellas are written in a way that is deceptively reminiscent of children's books in their length, structure and beautifully gentle storytelling, but there is so much to think about packed into these few pages! As much as I wanted to read A Prayer for the Crown Shy in one go I learned my lesson with the first book and decided to savour it a chapter at a time, which I would recommend because each chapter leaves the reader with a lot of food for thought and often profound insight to mull over.
I'm loving this series and eagerly await the next instalment in the story!
This series of novellas are written in a way that is deceptively reminiscent of children's books in their length, structure and beautifully gentle storytelling, but there is so much to think about packed into these few pages! As much as I wanted to read A Prayer for the Crown Shy in one go I learned my lesson with the first book and decided to savour it a chapter at a time, which I would recommend because each chapter leaves the reader with a lot of food for thought and often profound insight to mull over.
I'm loving this series and eagerly await the next instalment in the story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, and Medical content
bexi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Beckyyyyy, you wonderful human
🥲🥲🥲🤖🫖💚💚💚
🥲🥲🥲🤖🫖💚💚💚
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
These books may be short, but I feel like they have so much to say. They are just thoroughly enjoyable as novellas, packed with so much character and heart. Between this and In the Lives of Puppets, who knew that you could care so much about robot characters? Trust me, you'll realize that when In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune comes out in April.
One of the things that resonated the most with me in this book was towards the end, when Dex was talking about how they believed that other people deserved to just exist and didn't need to work for their comfort, but they didn't believe that about themselves. There are so many people that I know that also think the way Dex does, and we should be more like Mosscap. You don't need to earn your comfort! If you need a book that's just going to be a comfort to read, I definitely recommend these.
One of the things that resonated the most with me in this book was towards the end, when Dex was talking about how they believed that other people deserved to just exist and didn't need to work for their comfort, but they didn't believe that about themselves. There are so many people that I know that also think the way Dex does, and we should be more like Mosscap. You don't need to earn your comfort! If you need a book that's just going to be a comfort to read, I definitely recommend these.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
jae_bird's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
augustar14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another lovely book, just like the first. It's so hard to describe how this book simultaneously makes me feel held and at peace, but not like it's ignoring any of the realities of being human. Dex gets tired and upset and frustrated, and has experiences of peace and rest that make the difficulties fade into memory. They struggle with the same feelings many of us do, but don't shy away from them in their conversations with Mosscap, who brings such a refreshing perspective as a set of eyes looking in for the first time. The friendship that began in book one continues to build with the same steady walk towards exploration and mutual understanding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Cursing
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content and Xenophobia
macykey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I liked this book so much better than the first! I felt more enraptured with the world building and I would go to battle for Mosscap any day of the week. There were some thoughts and questions that definitely made me think a little. But overall, I just felt very comforted. I can only hope that a future like this is in store for us.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
atamano's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual content