A Prayer for the Crown-Shy
Ratings432
Average rating4.3
beautiful world building and character growth. chambers ability to talk about inclusion and mutual respect is beautiful. and so cute and homey
oh boy what an amazing read. I was hooked from the very beginning. Like the first book, this gave such a calming feeling. There were a few moments where I couldn't stop smiling (if you know you know) and there were other moments that made me feel sad... no reflective is a better word for it. It made me think about consciousness and my own purpose in life, something I don't often like to dwell on. But this was in a good way.
I found myself even more in love with Dex and their robot companion, Mosscap. Oh how I wish there was more because I could never get bored of these two. It was an honour to watch them both grow as people (or as an object in Mosscap's case). This is a world that we should strive to be like in the future, because it truly does feel like everyone belongs and is exactly who they need to be. The world survives through altruism, not selfishness, something we should all aim to emobdy one day
This still had the same brand of fun and introspection that I enjoyed in the first book, but personally I felt like the first book hit harder with the insights.In this one, Sibling Dex and Mosscap begin to make a tour of the human cities left in Panga, introducing Mosscap as the first robot to make contact with humanity since the crisis event long ago in their history. In each city, we meet different people and situations that have Dex and Mosscap questioning the way they view life and the world around them.In the previous book, we had seen Dex and Mosscap meet and then travel together in the wilderness to a hermitage. That leaves a lot of room for conversation. Because it was also their first time meeting each other, there's also a lot more exchange of ideas and mindsets between them, a sort of catching-up between robots and a humanity that has largely thought them only the stuff of legends. Because this book focuses more on Mosscap's interaction with other humans and how Dex facilitates that, I feel like there's a bit more plot and a bit less time to reflect.We are also introduced to a semblance of a currency system in Panga, where pebs are exchanged. This are basically pebbles that are given to someone who renders you a service in order to show your gratitude for receiving their aid, and which you aim to then pay it forward by rendering a service to someone else and possibly getting pebs in return. Ultimately - this seems a lot like regular money but with an element of gratitude and a big dose of an honour system since nothing is actually priced. I found this ambitious and perhaps unrealistically utopian, although I could somewhat excuse it in this book. Panga is itself unrealistically utopian - to even think humanity could learn a lesson and try to avoid mistreating technology and robots after a crisis event! I just didn't think that, if a peb system existed in the real world, we could find any community that was devoid of some people who would abuse it.On a little side note, Mosscap reads a book in Ch 3 called “I, Myself” and that would be an amazing reference to [b:I, Robot 41804 I, Robot (Robot, #0.1) Isaac Asimov https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609035271l/41804.SY75.jpg 1796026] if that had been intended.Overall, a great continuation to [b:A Psalm for the Wild-Built 40864002 A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1) Becky Chambers https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600789291l/40864002.SY75.jpg 63655961] and a cozy enough read, but not ultimately essential reading either.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, but not a tremendous amount, it was fine, but seemed a little unexpected and disjointed. Well, all that was worth it to get to this second part of the series. I liked this one way more. It helps knowing the characters from before, but even then, it had been a while so I felt like I forgot a lot of the details, but coming back into this book felt comfortable and I really liked reading about the adventures of Mosscap and Dex.
Probably more of a 3.5.
The first book was an absolute favorite of mine because it came at a time in my life when I was very depressed and I felt that it really spoke to me. While this sequel did continue in the same vein, it kinda failed at evoking similar emotions in me. While it's still a chill and soothing ride with Brother Dex and Mooscap - I adored Mosscap and it's interactions with humans and animals; the kind of questions it asked them; and how all these interactions turned into contemplation about it's own purpose as a robot. It was enjoyable and I liked listening to the audiobook, but I guess I just don't have more to say about it. But if the series continues, there's no doubt I will surely read the next.
A gracious, well painted look at the struggle to value others while we struggle to value ourselves.
I just can't with this series. I feel like I'm reading something that's a part of a Kindergarteners syllabus about basic human rights. I'm in my late 20s I do not find much joy in being explained over and over and over again about morals shrug
A charming second book in the series that asks questions about humanity and our purpose via a buddy road trip. 3.5 rounded up.
A very short and sweet read. It's the second book (novella?) in a series about a robot travelling together with a tea monk. For the first half it felt like it wasn't going anywhere (and I'll admit I kind of already forgot what happened in the first book) but I found the last section very heartwarming.
Another beautiful book from Becky Chambers about service and reflection, told with gentle humour, that once again encourages the reader to ask questions such as “What is the nature of purpose?”, “What do people really want?” and “How can I help?”.
I personally preferred the first book in the series ([b:A Psalm for the Wild-Built 40864002 A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1) Becky Chambers https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600789291l/40864002.SY75.jpg 63655961]), but I still found myself practically incapable of putting this book down.It is so in keeping with [a:Becky Chambers 17650479 Becky Chambers https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]' style of cosy Sci-Fi throughout the Wayfarers Series which I was also hooked on and am quietly disappointed I only have one novella left to read ([b:A Good Heretic 57148248 A Good Heretic (Wayfarers, #0.5) Becky Chambers https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1619786634l/57148248.SY75.jpg 89442522]).
Sibling Dex, a tea monk, and Mosscap, a robot, continue on their journey, trying to figure out what humans really need. Part adventure, part philosophy, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is short, yet thoughtful, and the characters will charm you.
A rarity! A second book in a series that's not a ‘dud' but just as good as the first book, and possibly better. Thankfully the same two primary characters I enjoyed in the first book. This time there's alot of philosophy, I think is the right term, in this book.
Alot of what's going on in their own thoughts but not so much that it bogs down the movement of the story. Thankfully the end of the book doesn't end on a final note, giving the impression their story will continue.
I love this series so much! I just re-read this already (Jan 2023)!
This line made me actually laugh out loud: “Dex rubbed the outer corner of their left eye. If they'd wanted constant debates, they thought, they would've stayed in seminary.”
I love the system of “currency” that is described in this book:
“You're saying that instead of a system of currency that tracks individual trade, you have one that facilitates exchange through the community. Because ... all exchange benefits the community as a whole?” [...]
“Nobody should be barred from necessities or comforts just because they don't have the right number next to their name.”
“But if there's no penalty for debt, what's to stop you from taking without giving back?”
“It's a bad feeling,” Dex said. “Everybody has a negative balance from time to time, for lots of reasons. That's fine. That's part of the ebb and flow. But if someone had a huge negative ... well, that says they need help. Maybe they're sick. Or stuck. Maybe they've got something going on at home. Or maybe it's just one of those times when they need other people to carry them for a while. That's okay. Everybody ends up there sometimes. If I saw a friend's balance and it was way in the red, I'd make a point of checking in.”
And this part... oof... as someone studying to maybe be a pastor, this sure hit home for me: “How am I supposed to tell people they're good enough as they are when I don't think I am?” they said.”
And I love how Dex tells Mosscap that Mosscap helps Dex figure things out just by being there with them. That sounds like any good friendship.
Other good quotes:
“They just ... don't understand what you are. Or maybe they can't fit you into their beliefs, and that scares them. The unknown makes us stupid sometimes.”
“You don't have to have a reason to be tired. You don't have to earn rest or comfort. You're allowed to just be.”
I'm confused. This very definitely reads as YA, but I‘m not seeing YA listed in the Goodreads genres. It feels like a huge disconnect: what am I missing?
Anyhow, sweet but unfulfilling. Perhaps that's the point? That there is no fulfillment to be found in life, no Ultimate Purpose? The two books in the series are a simplified amalgam of existentialist philosophy, Buddhism, introductory Ethics, with a lot of Frankl Lite. Monk and Robot debate the nature of consciousness and perception, mind/body dualism, our impact as living beings whose existence depends on the death of other living beings. All of it centers around [Sentient Beings'] Search for Meaning. Much handwringing, no resolution, just continuing to stumble along. Much like life.
The Robot mechanics still make no sense, nor does Robot consciousness despite a halfhearted attempt to address it. Nor does this particular Robot, charming though it may be: its childlike innocence feels more and more forced. I deliberately chose not to say “heavyhanded” in my review of the first one, but can't avoid doing so now. It's clunky. The cultural dynamics make no sense either, nor do interpersonal relationships. Real people just don't behave that way, in more ways than I could cover in a few paragraphs. Bonus points, though, for a subtly lovely description of kintsugi without using the word kintsugi; for the two grinworthy pages in which Dex tries to explain their (Dex's) parents' polycule to a robot; and for really warm friendship themes. And, hell, simply because it's Chambers. Not her best work, but again that's probably just me and where I'm coming from. Give these books to a Young Adult in your life - the themes here might just be new to them, and might shape them into better humans.
This sequel was just okay for me. It's still a lighthearted pallet cleanser that asks big questions, but I had high expectations after the first book felt like a set up. This still felt like a set up for something bigger.
Is this a perfect book, especially in these trying times? Do I want there to be an endless amount of entires in the series? Did I cry while reading? Yes to all three!
Mosscap is such a pure, delightful being (not a person!) and Dex's realization about what they deserve hits really close to home. A comforting book for now that gives me hope.