3.5
Sunward
ByPublisher Description
A cozy debut science fiction novel by National Book Award–winning writer William Alexander, this story of found family follows a planetary courier training adolescent androids in a solar system grappling with interplanetary conflict after a devastating explosion on Earth’s moon.
Captain Tova Lir chose a life as a courier rather than get involved in her family’s illustrious business in politics. Set in humanity’s far future, hiring a planetary courier is essential for delivering private messages across the stars.
Encouraged by friends, Tova begins mentoring baby bots, juvenile AI who are developmentally in their teens, and trains them how to interact within society essentially becoming their foster mom. Her latest charge, Agatha Panza von Sparkles, named herself on their first run from Luna to Phoebe station. But on their return, they encounter a derelict spaceship and a lurking assassin, igniting a thrilling chase across the solar system.
Tova and Agatha’s daring actions leave Agatha’s mind vulnerable, relying on Tova’s former AI pupils for help. As Tova starts gathering her scattered family around her, she is chased through the solar system by forces who want her captured and her family erased. This debut science fiction novel by National Book Award–winning author William Alexander is a must-read for fans of Becky Chambers and Ursula K. Le Guin. Lovers of poignant science fiction, where the bonds of found family, the evolution of AI, and the building distrust of centuries of bias, come together in this visionary look at humanity’s future.
Captain Tova Lir chose a life as a courier rather than get involved in her family’s illustrious business in politics. Set in humanity’s far future, hiring a planetary courier is essential for delivering private messages across the stars.
Encouraged by friends, Tova begins mentoring baby bots, juvenile AI who are developmentally in their teens, and trains them how to interact within society essentially becoming their foster mom. Her latest charge, Agatha Panza von Sparkles, named herself on their first run from Luna to Phoebe station. But on their return, they encounter a derelict spaceship and a lurking assassin, igniting a thrilling chase across the solar system.
Tova and Agatha’s daring actions leave Agatha’s mind vulnerable, relying on Tova’s former AI pupils for help. As Tova starts gathering her scattered family around her, she is chased through the solar system by forces who want her captured and her family erased. This debut science fiction novel by National Book Award–winning author William Alexander is a must-read for fans of Becky Chambers and Ursula K. Le Guin. Lovers of poignant science fiction, where the bonds of found family, the evolution of AI, and the building distrust of centuries of bias, come together in this visionary look at humanity’s future.
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3.5
Gigi
Created 7 days agoShare
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“If you liked Automatic Noodle or A Psalm for the Wild-Built, you’ll probably enjoy Sunward. It’s a gentle, cozy sci-fi story about found family and what we’re willing to risk for the people we love. The writing feels lighter and a bit surface-level at times—almost middle grade—but it’s still an easy, hopeful read that makes a nice palate cleanser between heavier books. I just wish the ending hadn’t felt so sudden and disorienting.”
etcrisis
Created 11 days agoShare
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Jamble Bramble
Created 22 days agoShare
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Hannah Hearts Books
Created 26 days agoShare
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“In the synopsis of Sunward, the publisher comps this as a cozy sci-fi perfect for people who love Becky Chambers. I loved the Monk and Robot series and cried at the end of The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. Needless to say, I was very excited for this book. Unfortunately,I feel like this is a publisher’s blurbing mistake. As I started reading this, I came to realize Sunward is more of a sci-fi mystery genre blend.Its stakes are a little too high to be cozy. When I realized this, I actually stopped where I was in the book and started over. I hoped that once I changed my expectations, I could settle in and just enjoy the story. Sadly, it just didn’t work out for me. My brain kept saying, “But where is the cozy? Cannot compute!” 😂😂🫠TBH I think it might have been that my reading expectations got in the way of my overall experience! If you go into it with the expectation that it’s a medium stakes sci-fi mystery, then it just might work for you!”
Thai.Tea.Time.Reads
Created 26 days agoShare
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About William Alexander
William Alexander writes unrealisms for readers of all ages. His work has won the National Book Award, the Eleanor Cameron Award, the Librarian Favorites Award, the Teacher Favorites Award, two CBC Best Children’s Book of the Year Awards, and two Junior Library Guild Selections. As a small child he honestly thought that his Cuban American family came from the lost island of Atlantis.
Other books by William Alexander
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