TW: Xenophobia, grief

I am incredibly far behind on my GR reviews, so this review may not be as detailed (or coherent) as I want it to be. I have very fond memories of reading this story - it's lighthearted and comforting while still holding a lot of emotional depth. The themes discussed (grief, figuring out where you stand in your own life, and opening up a space in both of these unsteady feelings to another person) will probably strike a chord with most people. I especially enjoyed Sal, not just as a character but also as a rather unique AI in a sea of other AI characters in current science fiction literature. She isn't preoccupied with the question of "How can I become human?" that many of her literary siblings get caught up in, but instead has a storyline centered around deep love, growth, grief and acceptance. I loved the different layers of love Katz showed us in this novella, and the immense amount of trust these characters build over time. Did I mention we have a sapphic ace protagonist? AH!!

This is a story I'll surely revisit again and again - it feels like a big woolen blanket, a steaming mug of your favorite tea and the gentle company of friends on a glum day.