A Prayer For The Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

 

Sibling Dex is a tea monk, traveling to serve tea to people as a service.  He is accompanied by Mosscap who is a robot.  They discovered each other in the forest of Panga and teamed up.  Mosscap is on a mission to discover all about humans and what they what most in life.  They are now headed towards a city so that the robot can experience this other way of living.

Along the way, they encounter several villages.  In some, they are welcomed and feasted.  In others, they are considered outsiders and shunned.  Regardless, Mosscap continues to ask everyone encountered what do they want?

The pair are even able to fit in a visit to Dex's home farm.  They are welcomed there and his parents and relatives are excited to see him as he hasn't been home for quite a while.  They are given dinner and taken around the farm.  As they continue their journey, they stop on a beach and ponder their next steps.  Will they continue to the city or remain where they are?

This is a gentle book in the Monk and Robot series.  Chambers uses these two characters to ask what is the purpose of life and once one has enough, is more even necessary?  The characters are interesting and their interaction is compelling.  This book is recommended for science fiction readers.