This was a great read. I wasn't expecting to love this one as much as I did but the narration of this audiobook grabbed me from the very first minute.

This is a heartfelt, scifi novel full of love, tenderness and connection. It is a story of survival through the connection of the main characters.

I absolutely loved the main characters, I love that we have different perspectives and a love story through time. I found the characters relatable and really interesting and I had so much fun reading this book, I just couldn't put it down. It had the best balance between the survival plot, the characters connection and all mixed with great humor.

Even if the pacing of the book is in theory slow, it doesn't feel like it due to the time jumps in the story and the fantastic audiobook narration that makes the story feel real and atmospheric.

The ending t leaves you needing to know what comes next, I can't wait to read the final book to see how the story ends.

if you love heartfelt books, with relatable and likable characters this one is for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for and ALC of this novel, all opinions are my own.

As You Wake, Break the Shell is sci-fi which reads a literary fiction, in the best possible way.

Rather than a series of explosive and dramatic events, this is a love story, a pocket of humanity and day to day life within in a broader story of hardship and survival. Cora and Signy’s characters are beautifully crafted, and their relationship feels precious and relatable.

The audiobook was immaculately produced, and the warmth and tenderness of Cora and Sygny’s relationship really shone through. Likewise the conversations with Cora and Colibri felt more tangible, and accentuated their unique connection and perspectives.

The more existential story of the struggle to survive and the control humans exert on the environment around them is almost secondary to the day to day lives of the characters, their love, loss, and purpose. My heart is still racing after that ending, and I’ll be excitedly awaiting the next instalment of this duology.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton Audio | Hodderscape and NetGalley for the ALC

Becky Chambers never misses, but this one may be my favourite yet.

As usual it's a cosy and heartwarming scifi, and also bittersweet and emotional at the same time. Typically for one of their stories, it explores a lot about human nature and relationships, the environment and connection with other lifeforms, grief, friendship, family, and romantic love.

While it doesn't shy away from sad and dark topics, and really examines the wrongs society can commit, it also really brings the best of people to the fore.

The writing is beautiful and enveloping, the characters are incredibly endearing, and the worldbuilding is vivid and captivating.

It is not a fast-paced book, but there is a soft tension overlying the narrative. Because of the dual timelines you know something big is coming, and while the cliffhanger at the end isn't shocking, it's in the best way, and the wait for the next book in this duology is going to be a painful one. On the bright side, it's going to give me plenty of opportunity to read this again.

The audiobook is also very well done, and I would highly recommend it. The performances and design are excellent and immersive. I will say the dual timeline does take a bit of extra brainpower to follow in this format, but it didn't alter my experience.

An excellent one to pick up for those who have read and loved Chambers' other books, but an equally great starting point for those yet to be introduced to the wonder that is her work.

Another stunning story from Chambers. Everything she writes turns to gold and this is no exception. Cosy and emotional at the same time, and still has plenty of plot and action. A beautiful love story, found family and existential conversations that only Chambers could write so effortlessly. I think it's best if this is read without much/any knowledge of the plot as it will be even more impactful.

Overall, another win.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for this ALC.

“As You Wake, Break the Shell” is the start of Becky Chambers’ newest sci-fi series. In this book we land on Fortune, a planet hardly fit for human life. Yet, it is home to our two main characters. First we meet Cora, pilot to alien animal “Colibri”, which she loves strongly, and uses to quarry water for Fortune. Secretly she struggles with an illness caused by the bond between her and Colibri, an illness she can’t seek traditional treatment for as this would mean losing her connection to Colibri forever. So she seeks out our second main character, Signy, a botanist who illegally bio-prints medicine to help people like Cora. But can they find the balance between what they want and what the government says they can have?

This book is absolutely lovely. I only knew Chambers through her “Monk & Robot” duology, so I had high expectations, and this book definitely met them.

The book is told in two alternating timelines, one in the past as Cora and Signy first meet, one in their future. Over the course of the past timeline, you slowly grow to know the two characters and their history, as we get closer to understanding what led them to be in the situation they are in now, and the state they are in. This was wonderfully executed, and held a certain element of suspense. Personally, I found the past timeline more exciting, but I can imagine that future books will have more of a focus on the future (or well, current) timeline, and build on that more.

I really enjoy the world this is set in, and thought the worldbuilding was very well done. There is quite a lot that needs to be explained to the reader when you write a book like this, and Chambers did a great job of explaining things or giving the reader a deeper understanding of the world without making it feel like you’re being given a lecture or overwhelmed by details.

The characters are absolutely lovely. Of course Cora and Signy are great, but what stood out equally was a wonderful cast of side characters. I don’t want to say too much so I’ll be vague, but there is one character specifically who I found very intriguing and tragic in a quiet, real way. And don’t even get me started on Colibri, who could’ve taken up half the book and I would've thanked the author.

Part of the reason Colibri was so fun was because I got to listen to the audiobook. It is narrated by Megan Gage and Norma Butikofer, who both did a spectacular job breathing life into these characters, but the sound design and effects used to bring Colibri to life and make her stand out in the audiobook were marvelously done.

This is a lovingly crafted, emotional and intriguing start to a new series, and I’m already looking forward to the next book. If you have read and liked Chambers’ work before you will also enjoy this one, and if you have never read any of her work but want some sci-fi with a lovable cast of characters and a deeper look at both the good and evil of humanity, this one’s for you.

Audiobook review

Narrators: Megan Gage & Norma Butikofer

Vibes: 💕🪴🌌

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the free ALC.

Excuse me while I wipe away a few stray tears. For the most part, this book is like a warm, cosy hug, but the last 20% will break your heart, too. Utterly beautiful and something I know I will come back to again and again.

The audiobook narrators both do an incredible job and I adored the little sound effects here and there. I also really enjoyed how a certain character's voice is done slightly differently. I imagine it would speed up nicely as well if one was so inclined.

If you've read Becky Chambers' other works, the pacing and themes in this one won't take you by surprise. It's slow-paced and character-driven with many philosophical and biological asides woven in as the characters garden, experiment, cook, and fall in love. There's even a few (delicious sounding) recipes inserted throughout. The plot is split between two timelines and centres on the romantic relationship between the two main characters, both of whom are lovely and flawed in their own unique ways. I don't think I've ever read such a healthy and nurturing relationship! So many fuzzy feels from these two. But it wouldn't be a Becky Chambers story if there wasn't some depth and darkness as well. This story examines themes of isolation, living with a chronic illness, grief, complicity in ethically and morally corrupt systems, and environmentalism. I cried more than once.

Don't come for an action packed ride or something that's plot driven with lots of twists and turns. This isn't that kind of story. Come for a thoughtful read that will make you feel, deeply, and transport you away to another world (both like and unlike our own) for a short while.

Also the urge to make drop dumpling soup. 🍲

Pub date: 13 October 2026

I wish I hadn’t read this book so soon as now I have to wait for book two in this duology to be released to be reunited with this amazing cast of characters.

This book has stolen a piece of my heart as I’m sure it will do to many readers and listeners. The love and care that has gone into this book is clear and all the characters feel fleshed out. Yes this is sci-fi but it’s also about family, found family, love and all the different forms that they all come in. Again although it’s sci-fi it feels relatable as well.

I love the way the split timeline has been done, as it enables us to see all stages of life and journeys that are important to know. Nothing feels unnecessary to be in there and there aren’t any points where I feel the story drags. I honestly didn’t want it to end and have to say goodbye (for now, until book 2) to the characters I grew to care so much about. Signy and Cora are two new favourite characters of mine who I want to spend more time with.

I’m so glad to have listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it. The dual narration and sound effects were done perfectly and really added to the book delivery. It definitely enhances the experience reading the book and brings the words on the page alive.

Also make sure to read the Author’s Acknowledgement Note. Becky’s words are so powerful and important to hear.

🚀This was the first I have read of Becky Chambers and I was -not- disappointed! I’ve had A Long Way To a Small, Angry Planet on my tbr for lawd knows how long 😅

I went into this completely blind, expecting straight up sci-fi but it felt more of a blend of literary fiction, romance and kinda slice of life sci-fi - and I loved it!

Chambers’ writing is so easy to digest it didn’t feel like this was a nearly 500 page book - often with character driven novels it can feel a bit sloggy at times (especially with audio!) but I never once found myself drifting 🧘🏼‍♀️

Loved Signy, Cora and Colibri so much, as well as the supporting characters like Otto (well, Twig was a pain in the arse… as an older sister I could totally feel Cora’s exasperation). The Rorquals were fascinating and I absolutely loved Colibri’s excitement, inquisitiveness and way of seeing the world “You are of my love” 🥹🫶🏻

The sci-fi elements were great but I can imagine those coming into this with expecting of hefty sci-fi world building will be a little disappointed. I’d LOVE maybe a prequel talking more about the training pilots do with the rorquals and more about the “mindbleed” that can develop due to the ongoing connection.

I’m not 100% sure how I feel about alternating timelines tho 🤔 It almost felt like the things they were going through were more low-stakes and took a bit of the impact away as you know they’re gonna be aiight in the future (not a spoiler as both time lines shown early on) but I suppose that could change in book two 👀

Ultimately an exploration of love more than it is of space and I am very excited to get my ears around book 2 when it comes out 🧡

🎧 Megan Gage & Norma Butikofer were very engaging but as it was a dual narration over duet it did throw me a little at the start as Cora’s voice did differ quite a bit - I feel like if it had been Duet it would have made more sense or just stick to one narrator

4.5 rounded up

If you like your sci-fi cosy with a side of found family, lashings of peculiar friends and adventures galore, this is the one for you.

I was so happy to hear about a new Becky Chambers book. It's been quite a few years since she came out with a new one (readers will discover in the author's note at the end why that is), and then when I saw it on Netgalley I just knew this was going to be just the ticket. Nobody does cosy wholesome sci-fi quite like Becky Chambers. To me, it's always felt like seeing the world through a child philosopher's eyes: there's wonder and wisdom, innocence and creativity, multilayered complexity in an apparently simple story. This newest addition in her repertoire does not disappoint.

Signy and Clara will forever live rent free in my head and heart. The underlying message about living gently and lovingly through any hardship resonated with me.

Thank you Netgalley for this ALC.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy to review!

A cozy sci-fi book that will leave you earning for more (thankfully there is a sequel!). I adored the different POVs and how love in all its acpects, was central theme. Some of the pacing felto too slow for me, but that didn't prevent me in devouring this story!

4.5 stars