A Pslam For The WIld Built | A Prayer For The Crown Shy
The first book that I completed in 2025 is a little bit of carry over from 2024. The monk and robot series by Becky Chambers is a love letter to science fiction and spirituality; two worlds that don't often collide. The first book of two, currently written, I finished in November of 2024.
"This book is about to be my whole personality. I wish I were Dex… I already have the dread, all I need is the beautiful solar punk moon life and robot friend! 🤖🍵"
A Psalm for the Wild Built opens with Dex, a monk for the diety Allalae - the god of small comforts, who feels lost in their current role. Seeking the sound of crickets lost to the city life they inhabit, they set off on a journey of self-discovery. One aspect that I like, which if I'm correct, draws from the author's personal life is that Dex is a non-binary lead. Referred to as Sibiling Dex, using they/them pronouns, the novella already starts with a diverse voice.
The world-building is immaculate. Prior to the current timeline with Dex, robots had become sentient and decided to run off to the wilderness. Making this moon colony a solar-punk dreamscape. Idyllic, picturesque, and whimsical, Chambers paints the multiple biomes in this world with lush/flowery language.
Another thing that took this story and knocked it out of the park, was the pacing and conversations. Well-structured, each conversation/encounter was perfectly placed to add deeper meaning to the surface-level plot.
"What do people need?"
________
"Amazing, this little series is thought-provoking and full of hope. It touched on issues I’ve been struggling with, in a way that makes me want to ruminate further. hopeful to grow and expand my emotional knowledge. Just as atmospheric and beautiful as the first one."
The second book A Prayer for the Crown Shy, moves the reader from spiritual concepts of the self to interpersonal connections. The beauty of community, companionship, and family are all subjects that are touched on.
I loved this one as it forced me to re-evaluate some connections I've put on the back burner. Dex has a somewhat tumultuous relationship with their family. They love them, but keep them at arm's length. It's tough to admit, but I've kept my parents on the periphery in a similar manner. I fear the worry or pity that can come with a parent becoming a passive observer in a life they once had control over. A subject I wasn't prepared to connect with in a book as small as this one.
Mosscap, who I've yet to speak about is also the most delightful character. It ( yes it, a decision made with its autonomy) is youthful and full of joy, yet hundreds of years old. Not jaded by human life, Mosscap still wonders at the small joys and comforts that go by unnnoticed by the average joe. As it enjoys Dex's guidance through their world, it brings up conversations about what truly makes us human.
In both A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, Becky Chambers creates a world that is as heartwarming as it is thought-provoking. The series effortlessly blends science fiction with spirituality, exploring not only the self but also the beauty of connection with others. Through Dex and Mosscap's journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own relationships, values, and place in the world.
With lush descriptions, meaningful dialogue, and a deeply empathetic narrative, the Monk and Robot series feels like a comforting cup of tea—both soothing and stimulating. Chambers has given us a story that doesn't just entertain but also inspires us to grow emotionally, foster deeper connections, and find solace in small comforts. This series isn’t just a book—it’s a meditation on what it means to live a fulfilling life. If the rest of 2025 brings stories half as beautiful as this, it will be a remarkable year of reading.