As You Wake, Break the Shell

Cora, a pilot, needs help. Signy, an introverted plant shop owner, may be the only one who can.

Really enjoyed this. Very Becky Chambers. Lovely characters, interesting world-building, humanity and gentleness. Can’t wait to finish the story whenever the sequel comes out.

Dare I say, this is Chambers' finest? Flipping between Signey's and Cora's past and future gives you an assurance that this too will pass; yet she roots you so solidly in the present that no joy is any less visceral and no loss is any less devastating. If anything, it crystallises. As I often do with her work, I laughed and cried and ached on their journey. She adds to her low stakes cosy vibes some beautiful perspectives on life, plant nerdery, empathy, love and community.