Reviewed by Kristin
Almost exactly a year ago I read and reviewed A Psalm forthe Wild-Built, the
first in the Monk and Robot series by
Becky Chambers. It was then that I fell in love with the characters Sibling Dex
and Splendid Speckled Mosscap, and have been looking forward to the next in
series ever since.
I love it when a book remains memorable even after such a time.
Dex and Mosscap—monk and robot—are still travelling and
learning more about the societies from which the other came. Mosscap has an
insatiable curiosity about the world around it, and enjoys meeting and
understanding organic life whether they be human, marblehead turtles, purple
crawler worms, or a leaf.
Mosscap is also discovering more ways to learn about the
world, soon acquiring a pocket computer, downloadable books, and maps. Everywhere
Dex and Mosscap travel, people are anxious to meet them and interact with the robot.
Well, almost everywhere. In the Coastlands the roads and trails covering much
of Panga cease, and the dwellers there have long chosen to avoid technology or
travel outside their immediate area. When Dex and Mosscap approach, they are
not sure if they will be welcomed.
The cast of characters in this second volume is diverse,
including: members of Dex’s rather large family, Ms. Amelia who has her own
collection of paper books to share with Mosscap, Mx. Avery who lives in an
isolated village, and Leroy—the printer who creates 3D objects and who also
makes Dex’s knees go a little wobbly.
Just like the first in series, this short novel had me
bursting out with laughter at some of the dialog and situations in which Dex
and Mosscap found themselves. The themes go much deeper than fun and games;
deep philosophical musings unfold as the wild-built and the natural born of
Pangan society explore their shared world. At a mere 149 pages, I have time for
a second pass through before returning the book to the library to share with
others.
