A delightful sci-fi novella! Low stakes, quiet musings on the meaning of life and consciousness; this book is like a warm cup of tea on a cold day.

Content Warnings

hirugame's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? It's complicated

5.0

I haven’t felt this good since I read How To Stop A Time War. I haven’t felt this good, this seen, this full — I just kept highlighting passages and rereading quotes and I never thought I would relate to both a monk and a robot but here we are. I need to think about these feelings, I need to hold into them. I’m not sure I’m ready for more.

Content Warnings

qrschulte's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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

This was as lovely and comforting as a warm cup of tea, which I’m seriously craving right now. Such a beautiful treatise on how meaningful just living your life can be. I can’t wait to read more!

Content Warnings

marsh_mall0w's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

alibrarymouse's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is such a soft, beautiful book. Becky Chambers did an amazing job creating a world that feels like living in a cup of tea. It’s the book-equivalent of a Studio Ghibli film, romanticizing the every day and detailing how comfort and joy are necessary for creation, healing, and productivity.

Looking into a future far beyond what we’re even thinking about, Chambers is still addressing issues and concerns we face because they’re not individual problems with simple solutions. But she doesn’t confront readers with them unnecessarily and offers gorgeous perspective.

Speaking of, I loved the perspective in this book, and the way she handled darker topics in a delicate, natural way. This is such a cozy book, but it was also enlightening. Definitely one to savor and reread.

Content Warnings

hjcomic's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-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

5.0

This book is so incredibly beautiful and heartwarming. It's cosy and sweet and very solarpunk and I can't wait to read the sequel!

Content Warnings

trickphoenix's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

5 stars, this is such a special book, it is my new treasure, if I hadn't been reading a library copy I would've been marking the lines that I could feel burning new neural pathways in my brain and making me cry. And specifically, as one of the reviews on the back of this copy aptly put it, making me "cry the good sort of tears - the sort when someone is unexpectedly kind to you at the moment you need it most."

This book is a hugely refreshing vision of an optimistic, beautiful future. The world-building is incredible and also incremental, given to you when you need context but never overwhelming you with detail. The characters are extremely lovable, their interactions were funny enough to make me laugh out loud to myself. It is charming and insightful and relaxing and warm. Strongly recommend reading it outdoors, in a quiet place, with some greenery, and your favorite warm drink.

Content Warnings