A Prayer For the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers – A Book Review

In A Prayer For the Crown-Shy, Becky Chambers delivers a captivating novella that explores the potential of humanity and technology’s role in shaping its fate. I picked this book up at my local library without realizing it is the second installment in the Monk and Robot series. Even so, it stands easily on its own, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in a thought-provoking tale.

Chambers skillfully crafts a future where technology has largely removed itself from humanity. As a result, the world has begun to heal, and people are in the process of rediscovering what is most important about life.

Sibling Rex, Monk, travels the area serving tea to those in need of refreshment. They do not use gender specific pronouns, and they are a traveler of some celebrity. Mosscap is a robot emissary on a mission to learn more about people and how it can help them. Both are kind, thoughtful, respectful, and empathetic. Through vivid prose, Chambers paints a world where people interact with technology not as masters, but as partners. The novella conveys a crucial message: that the true power of technology lies in the hands of those who wield it, emphasizing that our intentions and choices are paramount. I found this novella particularly relevant as we struggle with AI’s emerging role in our current existence.

Despite its brevity, A Prayer For the Crown-Shy presents a richly layered storyline that patiently reveals nuance about each character. This proves an effective way to keep the reader’s attention while also pushing the reader forward. Furthermore, Chambers blends science fiction elements with intimate human experiences, resulting in a narrative that has both heart and intellect.

A Prayer For the Crown-Shy serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that technology’s potential rests in our collective responsibility to use it wisely and ethically, and if we do so, it may not want to destroy us, it may actually want to save us.