This was such a delightful and introspective book. I loved the social commentary on life, love, and relationships. This book will be a classic for me, and I will be purchasing a copy for my shelf to keep and lend out to friends. This is now going to be one of my go-to recommendations, not just for science fiction lovers, but for all book lovers. This is such a beautiful and universal story, and I can't recommend it enough!

I suggest you take the time to read this story when you are having a bad day, struggling with a having a positive mindset or just in need of something to read while sipping tea. This is a fantastic series. The writing is amazing and the friendship between the monk and the robot is beautiful. I found it so profound but also funny. Loved it!

I really love this series, and am happy to see them in one collection. As we navigate increasingly concerning turns of technology, it's helpful to read stories like this that remind us of our desire for meaning, connection, and community.

Combining both novels of the Monk and Robot duology (A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy), this collection is a must-have for contemporary readers of science fiction with its hopeful story.

The first book is a delightful novella about an unlikely friendship in a world that may be ours someday, much better than our current one in which a tea monk and a robot (long absent from human life) meet and learn from each other.

The second book in the duology is even stronger than the first, flushing out the wider world of the first book as well as the characters and central dilemmas. Highly recommended.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Tor for this ARC!

I have 2 reviews in one here, as both novellas are included in this ombnibus.

A Psalm for the Wild Built:
I normally write longer reviews but this is all I can think to write:
No matter where you are in life, and no matter what genre you enjoy reading, this is the book for you. It will warm your heart and soul in a way I never thought possible - and it does it all in 147 pages. I read this in an evening and it is one I am positive I will sit down to read over and over.
Thank you, Becky Chambers. Thank you.

A Prayer for the Crown Shy:
I again find myself largely at a loss for words.
These books are among the most incredible I’ve ever read, and they touch a part of my heart and soul I didn’t realize needed soothing. The kicker - they do it in less than 300 pages combined.
These books have mental health and non-binary representation, as well as healthy relationships of all kinds - heterosexual, homosexual, polyamorous, etc. the characters all feel very real and very human, even the robot. They suffer and love and exist as real people do, even if the world is drastically different than our current one.
The writing is stunning, the story is heartwarming, and the characters feel like friends. I will certainly read both of these books over and over - and you all should read them too.

I am so excited to see these two volumes being published in one (but also worried--does this mean there aren't any plans for a third?)
Anyway, I don't own physical copies of these books, so this beautiful cover may be the thing that encourages me to finally get them!

I'll admit, my first feelings upon receiving this ARC was disappointment.

I didn't read before requesting, thinking this was a new installment of Chambers' beloved Monk & Robot, not the first two, in omnibus form.

But, really, there was a reason I was disappointed.

They are SO. GOOD.

Like, Do I Want to Give Up Everything and Become a Tea Monk good.

My library doesnt't have these in its collection, so this will be an excellent opportunity to correct that.

The Monk and Robot is a truly unforgettable gem. The blend of a renewed utopian society and the thoughtful reflections of a robot creates a poignant, heartwarming story that lingers long after the last page.

It’s beautifully written, deeply memorable, and perfect for anyone looking for a story full of hope, wonder, and introspection. I can’t recommend it enough, this book will stay with you in the best possible way.

I found this to be such a lovely, calm, and heartfelt book. Chambers writes comfort sci-fi at its finest; I’ll read absolutely anything that she publishes. The only thing is that I wish this were longer, just for the pure pleasure of reading about Dex and Mosscap’s journey together.