This novella features a tea monk* and a robot^ who take a walk through a post-post-post industrial world. It is quiet and sweet, and really not much happens except for Dex, our tea monk, endeavors to achieve their “purpose.” Spoiler alert: Dex does not need to achieve anything to be wonderful, just as they are.

If you’ve ever wanted to read a book version of the Sleepytime Tea bear’s life, pick this up. 

👍🏻Recommended! An affirming, calm, queer-normative lil science fiction treat. Like Murderbot if Murderbot had way less murder and way more wandering through the forest.

*A tea monk in this world is like a traveling psychiatrist. Dex goes from village to village, makes special tea for each customer and listens to them (if that’s what they need) or just sits with them while they cry (if that’s what they need). Generally, Dex’s job is comfort and company.

^Robots in this world achieved sentience hundreds (?) of years ago and decided along with the humans to leave. When Mosscap, the robot, and Dex meet, Dex has never seen a robot before and Mosscap has never seen a human.