The series consists of two short books. The blurb and book cover below are from the first book — A Psalm For The Wild-Built. The review is for the whole series.
Blurb
It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.
One day, the life of a tea monk 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're going to need to ask it a lot.
Becky Chambers's new series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?
The book cover below includes alt-text.
Impressions
What a wonderful, cozy, beautiful, healing series. I only wish the books were longer.
A good solarpunk book is like a balm for the soul, and that’s exactly what it was for me. If you’ve read Becky Chambers, you know her books don’t rely on action. Instead, this series is an exploration and celebration of a beautiful world, of the characters’ lives, of thriving communities, of nature, and of the magic of the ordinary. It’s a journey, first through the wilderness, and later through solarpunk villages and a city. A study of a non-capitalist society that relies on mutually-beneficial work instead of money.
Honestly, there is so much I loved about the story, and yet I’m struggling to talk about the details. It just captures so perfectly a feeling that’s hard to put into words, and yet it’s there — the wonder of life, the truth of being, the fragile beauty of connection. It resonated deeply with me. It was healing like the mountains, cozy like a warm blanket and fresh like the wind. I cried because it was over, and because the ending was so beautiful and perfect. After finishing the book, I went outside to check if it was raining, and spent a moment standing barefoot in the grass, just feeling the coldness and softness of it.
You might enjoy the series if you like Becky Chambers, solarpunk, hopeful narratives and are looking for something cozy, calm and quiet.
You can get the first book, A Psalm For The Wild-Built at Kobo, Apple, Barnes&Noble, Amazon and other bookshops.
Featured image by Kieselli.