Absolutely beautiful little book. Calming, philosophical, hopeful, sweet. I enjoyed The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet a lot, but I think it dragged a bit near the end, and I found its approach to gender kind of limited. This book did not have that problem. The pacing is perfect. Everyone is queer. There’s a lovely conversation just before the mid-point of the book where the two main characters establish that neither of them has a gender (this is because one is a robot and one is a nonbinary human, which nicely sidesteps the usual issue with only nonhuman characters having genders outside the binary). 

There’s so much about life and nature and conservation and technology packed into this very short book. I am very impressed by Becky Chambers and her ability to discuss important and often depressing issues in such a light and optimistic way.

If you want plot or action of any kind, look elsewhere. This book is slow and contemplative and only about three things happen in it. And I loved it. Very excited for book two to read more about Dex and Mosscap and the meaning of life.