Life on the resource-poor planet of Fortune is challenging, but for its inhabitants, it’s home. For two of them, Signy and Cora, this home might no longer be enough.
Signy is a brilliant but reclusive botanist who bio-prints medicine from her small plant shop, often bending the rules to help those the system leaves behind. Her life is filled with the green of her store, the warmth of her one elderly friend, and the quiet determination to help others without putting herself in danger.
Cora is a rorqual …
Life on the resource-poor planet of Fortune is challenging, but for its inhabitants, it’s home. For two of them, Signy and Cora, this home might no longer be enough.
Signy is a brilliant but reclusive botanist who bio-prints medicine from her small plant shop, often bending the rules to help those the system leaves behind. Her life is filled with the green of her store, the warmth of her one elderly friend, and the quiet determination to help others without putting herself in danger.
Cora is a rorqual pilot, one of the few with the unique ability to navigate the massive, living ships that connect the scattered settlements of their solar system. Her bond with her rorqual, Colibri, is profound—a connection that is both her greatest gift and a threat to her career.
It is that threat—the “mindbleed,” a dangerous side effect of her piloting—that brings her to Signy’s shop, and her appearance puts Signy in the danger she so fears. But it’s soon apparent it’s not just about losing her license—this delicate balance between risk and trust has the potential to change everything for them.
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.