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Ode to the Half-Broken
In the abandoned New York Botanical Gardens, thirty years after the world nearly ended, a worn-out robot is attacked and realizes old evils are stirring.
Thirty years ago, the world nearly ended.
Be was there, but the old robot has since settled into a life of isolation in the abandoned New York Botanical Gardens, determined to forget their role in that cataclysmic conflict.
But then they wake up in a bathtub. And their leg is missing. And the only one to ask for help is a very chatty cyborg dog. Be may want to forget the world, but it seems the world hasn't forgotten them.
Forced out of solitude, Be embarks on a quest to reclaim their leg, accompanied by that talkative ( smart-ass) dog and a human mechanic with nightmares of her own. Their motley crew soon discovers that recovery from the war is uneven and faltering, and Be begins to suspect a malicious hand trying to rekindle old conflicts. In order to stop them, Be needs to come to terms with both their own past and who they have become. Being left alone is no longer an option, and peace may be impossible.
Wrestling with themes of loneliness, connection, and purpose, this hope-punk sci-fi is for fans of Becky Chambers's Monk & Robot duology—featuring a cyborg dog! A tale of resilience and hope, this is an ode to those struggling to become whole in a world half-broken.
Thirty years ago, the world nearly ended.
Be was there, but the old robot has since settled into a life of isolation in the abandoned New York Botanical Gardens, determined to forget their role in that cataclysmic conflict.
But then they wake up in a bathtub. And their leg is missing. And the only one to ask for help is a very chatty cyborg dog. Be may want to forget the world, but it seems the world hasn't forgotten them.
Forced out of solitude, Be embarks on a quest to reclaim their leg, accompanied by that talkative ( smart-ass) dog and a human mechanic with nightmares of her own. Their motley crew soon discovers that recovery from the war is uneven and faltering, and Be begins to suspect a malicious hand trying to rekindle old conflicts. In order to stop them, Be needs to come to terms with both their own past and who they have become. Being left alone is no longer an option, and peace may be impossible.
Wrestling with themes of loneliness, connection, and purpose, this hope-punk sci-fi is for fans of Becky Chambers's Monk & Robot duology—featuring a cyborg dog! A tale of resilience and hope, this is an ode to those struggling to become whole in a world half-broken.
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First published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
”Sometimes, we cease to fit into a continuation of our past because we are broken, but more often, we cease to fit because we have grown.”
the idea of a post-apocalyptic New York told through the pov of a mech with a cyborg dog as its companion sounded like something I would love, but this fell so flat for me. i could not connect to the characters and the pacing dragged the whole way. there were some good ideas and messages here, i just failed to feel any emotion though bc i felt so removed from the story. idk if it’s a me thing or the writing itself, maybe i also had too high expectations but im left a bit dissatisfied.
↠ thanks to NetGalley, the author and DAW Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
the idea of a post-apocalyptic New York told through the pov of a mech with a cyborg dog as its companion sounded like something I would love, but this fell so flat for me. i could not connect to the characters and the pacing dragged the whole way. there were some good ideas and messages here, i just failed to feel any emotion though bc i felt so removed from the story. idk if it’s a me thing or the writing itself, maybe i also had too high expectations but im left a bit dissatisfied.
↠ thanks to NetGalley, the author and DAW Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.0 Stars
This was a beautifully written, heart warming post apocalyptic story told from the perspective of a robot. This gave me similar vibes to Becky Chambers Monk and Robot Novellas but personally I enjoyed this one more because it had more plot. In terms of pacing, this had a slower, contemplative narrative which fit the tone of the story well. While technically a piece of science fiction, I feel this one has wider appeal because it's more a story about humanity rather than technology.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy literary speculative fiction with depth and a slow burning plot.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was a beautifully written, heart warming post apocalyptic story told from the perspective of a robot. This gave me similar vibes to Becky Chambers Monk and Robot Novellas but personally I enjoyed this one more because it had more plot. In terms of pacing, this had a slower, contemplative narrative which fit the tone of the story well. While technically a piece of science fiction, I feel this one has wider appeal because it's more a story about humanity rather than technology.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy literary speculative fiction with depth and a slow burning plot.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!!
4.25✨
Ode to the half-broken is a sci-fi about a broken world after wars. The writing was hauntingly beautiful & managed to be hopeful amidst the difficult topics.
I would sincerely recommend this to everyone, especially in today’s world. The author slips in a lot of significant messages & thoughts.
The stars of this book are really the characters. We start off following an unnamed robot & Atticus the dog. Other significant characters are picked up along the way. The plot is very engaging and I didn’t see everything coming. A few things made me emotional!
I highly recommend this. It was a very thought provoking read.
4.25✨
Ode to the half-broken is a sci-fi about a broken world after wars. The writing was hauntingly beautiful & managed to be hopeful amidst the difficult topics.
I would sincerely recommend this to everyone, especially in today’s world. The author slips in a lot of significant messages & thoughts.
The stars of this book are really the characters. We start off following an unnamed robot & Atticus the dog. Other significant characters are picked up along the way. The plot is very engaging and I didn’t see everything coming. A few things made me emotional!
I highly recommend this. It was a very thought provoking read.
November 4, 2025
What a treat this was! Ode to the Half-Broken follows an unusual group on a journey through a post-apocalyptic United States. It is equal parts heartwarming and gripping; the comparisons to Becky Chambers' beloved A Psalm for the Wild-Built are evident in the themes, the philosophical musings, and most obviously in the design of our main character, Be, and the existence of their freed mecha society. However, I wouldn't say its fair to lump this too closely together with Chambers' work - it deviates too far from that "cozy" atmosphere, as the tension ramps up quickly and a compelling mystery begins to unfold.
It is clear that there was much love and attention paid to the world building for this near-future landscape. The conflicts, escalations, and bleak outlook we glimpsed in the flashbacks feel all too believable, and they expertly set the stage for the way the world is in the present tense. There are also frequent explorations into the mechanical workings of the mecha themselves, as we learn how they came to be, which I found interesting but did at times interrupt the pacing of the story - and I could see this getting overly technical for a certain subset of sci-fi readers.
All that said, the real stars of the book are the characters. The crew we collect along the way were all so immediately endearing to me, it would be hard to pick a favorite. I'm a sucker for a found-family take on a sci-fi adventure, and Palmer delivered in spades. Even setting aside our four main players, every new character we met along the journey was unique and (mostly) lovable, something that can be hard for authors to do with human characters, let alone robotic ones.
This is a really beautiful story about the resilience adaptability of living things, what it really means to be alive, and the importance of not running from your past. 5/5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley & DAW publishing for this ARC!
It is clear that there was much love and attention paid to the world building for this near-future landscape. The conflicts, escalations, and bleak outlook we glimpsed in the flashbacks feel all too believable, and they expertly set the stage for the way the world is in the present tense. There are also frequent explorations into the mechanical workings of the mecha themselves, as we learn how they came to be, which I found interesting but did at times interrupt the pacing of the story - and I could see this getting overly technical for a certain subset of sci-fi readers.
All that said, the real stars of the book are the characters. The crew we collect along the way were all so immediately endearing to me, it would be hard to pick a favorite. I'm a sucker for a found-family take on a sci-fi adventure, and Palmer delivered in spades. Even setting aside our four main players, every new character we met along the journey was unique and (mostly) lovable, something that can be hard for authors to do with human characters, let alone robotic ones.
This is a really beautiful story about the resilience adaptability of living things, what it really means to be alive, and the importance of not running from your past. 5/5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley & DAW publishing for this ARC!
May 26, 2026
Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Palmer is an exceptional science fiction novel that balances emotional depth with imaginative worldbuilding and compelling storytelling. Palmer creates a vivid post-apocalyptic setting that feels both believable and hopeful, using it to explore themes of resilience, healing, identity, and connection with remarkable nuance.
What makes this novel stand out most is its character work. The protagonist is complex, deeply human, and easy to invest in, and the relationships throughout the story are handled with warmth and authenticity. The found-family dynamic develops naturally, adding emotional weight to both the quieter moments and the higher-stakes conflicts. Palmer’s writing is thoughtful and engaging, with a steady pace that keeps the story moving while still allowing space for reflection and character growth.
What affected me most, however, was the novel’s powerful expression of loss and loneliness. The emotional undercurrent running through the story felt incredibly honest and deeply moving, capturing the quiet ache of isolation in a way that genuinely spoke to my soul. Even in its most painful moments, the story never loses sight of hope, compassion, and the possibility of healing.
The novel also succeeds in blending genres seamlessly. It offers thoughtful speculative ideas, moments of tension and mystery, and genuine emotional resonance without ever losing its sense of optimism.
Thank you Suzanne Palmer, DAW and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What makes this novel stand out most is its character work. The protagonist is complex, deeply human, and easy to invest in, and the relationships throughout the story are handled with warmth and authenticity. The found-family dynamic develops naturally, adding emotional weight to both the quieter moments and the higher-stakes conflicts. Palmer’s writing is thoughtful and engaging, with a steady pace that keeps the story moving while still allowing space for reflection and character growth.
What affected me most, however, was the novel’s powerful expression of loss and loneliness. The emotional undercurrent running through the story felt incredibly honest and deeply moving, capturing the quiet ache of isolation in a way that genuinely spoke to my soul. Even in its most painful moments, the story never loses sight of hope, compassion, and the possibility of healing.
The novel also succeeds in blending genres seamlessly. It offers thoughtful speculative ideas, moments of tension and mystery, and genuine emotional resonance without ever losing its sense of optimism.
Thank you Suzanne Palmer, DAW and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2025
Thank you to netgalley for this review copy! This was a fantastic read, I binged the entire book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. The story follows Be starting from what seems like a fairly innocuous but inconvenient robbery of their leg, into a vastly bigger plot that sees Be and others exploring various locations in a post-apocalyptic USA to uncover the truth behind what’s happening in the world.
I think the comparisons to Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot duology are helpful to show what sort of book to expect, although the stakes felt higher in Ode to the Half-Broken. However, we see similar themes across this novel including what it really means to be human. I also loved exploring the elements of what would happen to a world with significantly more advanced AI than we see today, that then faced natural disasters, wars, and pandemics.
Although the world-building is fantastic, real enough for you to grasp very quickly, it’s the characters that really make this book. Not just our main characters (Atticus will live in my heart forever), but every single side character was an absolute joy. I could - and would - read an entire series set in this universe just following those characters in their daily life. I need to know what happens after the end of the book. The ending was slightly abrupt, especially considering I had become extremely attached to these characters, but I’m hoping that leaves room for continuation.
Overall, this was a five star read for me. It was utterly wholesome, even if some of the action did have me feeling tense, and the characters will burrow their way into your heart and have you laughing aloud.
I think the comparisons to Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot duology are helpful to show what sort of book to expect, although the stakes felt higher in Ode to the Half-Broken. However, we see similar themes across this novel including what it really means to be human. I also loved exploring the elements of what would happen to a world with significantly more advanced AI than we see today, that then faced natural disasters, wars, and pandemics.
Although the world-building is fantastic, real enough for you to grasp very quickly, it’s the characters that really make this book. Not just our main characters (Atticus will live in my heart forever), but every single side character was an absolute joy. I could - and would - read an entire series set in this universe just following those characters in their daily life. I need to know what happens after the end of the book. The ending was slightly abrupt, especially considering I had become extremely attached to these characters, but I’m hoping that leaves room for continuation.
Overall, this was a five star read for me. It was utterly wholesome, even if some of the action did have me feeling tense, and the characters will burrow their way into your heart and have you laughing aloud.
Want to Read
March 27, 2026IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ANIMAL LOVERS LIKE ME:
A Note From the Publisher
A Must Read when bed rot strikes. This hopeful story amid cataclysm is a perfect bandaid for a wounded heart.
(P.S. For anyone still traumatized by I Am Legend, let me set your fears at ease: the dog lives! You can enjoy safely. 😊)
A Note From the Publisher
A Must Read when bed rot strikes. This hopeful story amid cataclysm is a perfect bandaid for a wounded heart.
(P.S. For anyone still traumatized by I Am Legend, let me set your fears at ease: the dog lives! You can enjoy safely. 😊)
May 26, 2026
4.5 ✨
What do you get when you mix a sentient, weaponized robot whose greatest goal is only to protect the peace of all humanity with a human mechanic, a sarcastic cyborg dog, and a thoughtful drone? A masterfully made tale of hope set in a desolate world. I thought this was beautiful, brilliant, and maybe even a bit breathtaking.
The story begins with a robot who’s been living in isolation that awakens in their bathtub to discover that their leg is missing. This kickstarts their journey to find answers. They acquire some stragglers along the way that leads to a motley crew of entirely lovable characters who partake in this journey together. Although this book is compared to Becky Chamber’s works, it’s actually quite dark and sinister in nature. It addresses some heavy themes surrounding humanity, the use and/or abuse of advanced technology, and how power can be used for both good and evil.
The technology is very advanced and detailed, so much so to the point that I think for some readers it may feel confusing, but I found it very plausible and believable. The found family trope was executed so well. The humor and hope were perfectly placed in a way that felt natural. I think it’s tough to pull off a dystopian novel with such a plausible near future without leaving readers feeling unsettled, but this was executed perfectly in my opinion. I’ll certainly read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW for this eARC
What do you get when you mix a sentient, weaponized robot whose greatest goal is only to protect the peace of all humanity with a human mechanic, a sarcastic cyborg dog, and a thoughtful drone? A masterfully made tale of hope set in a desolate world. I thought this was beautiful, brilliant, and maybe even a bit breathtaking.
The story begins with a robot who’s been living in isolation that awakens in their bathtub to discover that their leg is missing. This kickstarts their journey to find answers. They acquire some stragglers along the way that leads to a motley crew of entirely lovable characters who partake in this journey together. Although this book is compared to Becky Chamber’s works, it’s actually quite dark and sinister in nature. It addresses some heavy themes surrounding humanity, the use and/or abuse of advanced technology, and how power can be used for both good and evil.
The technology is very advanced and detailed, so much so to the point that I think for some readers it may feel confusing, but I found it very plausible and believable. The found family trope was executed so well. The humor and hope were perfectly placed in a way that felt natural. I think it’s tough to pull off a dystopian novel with such a plausible near future without leaving readers feeling unsettled, but this was executed perfectly in my opinion. I’ll certainly read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW for this eARC
May 30, 2026
Ode to the Half-Broken began as a seemingly simple story about a robot trying to recover a stolen leg gradually unfolded into something much larger, blending a post-apocalyptic road trip, found family adventure, and thoughtful exploration of identity. The world felt lived in without ever overwhelming the story, and I enjoyed seeing how humanity, technology, and survival had become intertwined in ways that felt both imaginative and believable. The philosophical questions about autonomy, purpose, and what it means to be a person were woven naturally into the narrative rather than feeling overly heavy-handed.
Be was easy to root for, but it was the relationships that kept me invested. The found family dynamic had a warmth to it that balanced some of the darker aspects of the story, and Atticus quickly became a favorite. While I occasionally felt the pacing slow when the story paused to explain pieces of the world or its history, the emotional core of the novel carried me through. This was a hopeful, heartfelt science fiction story with plenty to say about resilience, connection, and choosing who you want to be, and I’m glad I read it.
Thanks to Netgalley & DAW publishing for this ARC!
Be was easy to root for, but it was the relationships that kept me invested. The found family dynamic had a warmth to it that balanced some of the darker aspects of the story, and Atticus quickly became a favorite. While I occasionally felt the pacing slow when the story paused to explain pieces of the world or its history, the emotional core of the novel carried me through. This was a hopeful, heartfelt science fiction story with plenty to say about resilience, connection, and choosing who you want to be, and I’m glad I read it.
Thanks to Netgalley & DAW publishing for this ARC!
May 28, 2026
The synopsis of this had me super excited from the get-go. Post-apocalyptic world, check. Found family, check. Quest with found family, check. Superb worldbuilding, check.
This author blew me away. I hadn’t heard of Suzanne Palmer before, but apparently she already has a Hugo award under her belt, and I posit that this novel will gain her many more fans.
The story alternates between the MC, a robot, after ��The Conflict” is over, and an inventor/scientist decades prior, when the world is rapidly going to hell in a hand basket.
The robot comes back online to find themselves in a strange location and missing a leg, which appears to have been removed in a most violent manner. The loss of mobility severely handicaps them, and they set out to improve their situation with the mechanical equivalent of a spare tire as a temporary replacement for their missing limb. Along the way, they encounter other robots, as well as a few humans, and they learn some very important lessons about isolation versus opening up your heart and letting others in.
This story is a beautiful testament to harmony and unity, in stark contrast to violence and oppression.
I highly recommend picking this up. It’s a slow burn, but give it time, and you’ll be just as invested as I was.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the early copy. I’m writing this review entirely voluntarily.
This author blew me away. I hadn’t heard of Suzanne Palmer before, but apparently she already has a Hugo award under her belt, and I posit that this novel will gain her many more fans.
The story alternates between the MC, a robot, after ��The Conflict” is over, and an inventor/scientist decades prior, when the world is rapidly going to hell in a hand basket.
The robot comes back online to find themselves in a strange location and missing a leg, which appears to have been removed in a most violent manner. The loss of mobility severely handicaps them, and they set out to improve their situation with the mechanical equivalent of a spare tire as a temporary replacement for their missing limb. Along the way, they encounter other robots, as well as a few humans, and they learn some very important lessons about isolation versus opening up your heart and letting others in.
This story is a beautiful testament to harmony and unity, in stark contrast to violence and oppression.
I highly recommend picking this up. It’s a slow burn, but give it time, and you’ll be just as invested as I was.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the early copy. I’m writing this review entirely voluntarily.
February 13, 2026
What a genuinely lovely and enthralling book!
While I wouldn’t exactly call this cozy (there are plenty of war-oriented robots doing war-oriented activities in a plague-ridden dystopia, and more than a few bloodthirsty humans), it’s certainly adjacent, and much of the novel was genuinely relaxing and simply enjoyable to be experiencing.
The plot was very nicely constructed, with well-paced twists and a very satisfying conclusion; but the real standouts are the worldbuilding (well-researched, engaging, unique, detailed, vibrant) and the character arcs (fully realized and very, very evocative). I enjoyed every minute of this.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the ARC; I truly had a blast with this one.
While I wouldn’t exactly call this cozy (there are plenty of war-oriented robots doing war-oriented activities in a plague-ridden dystopia, and more than a few bloodthirsty humans), it’s certainly adjacent, and much of the novel was genuinely relaxing and simply enjoyable to be experiencing.
The plot was very nicely constructed, with well-paced twists and a very satisfying conclusion; but the real standouts are the worldbuilding (well-researched, engaging, unique, detailed, vibrant) and the character arcs (fully realized and very, very evocative). I enjoyed every minute of this.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the ARC; I truly had a blast with this one.
October 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Robot found-family was not on my bingo card for this year, but I absolutely loved this book.
Starting with the found family aspect, the relationships in this book, I have to say I absolutely adore each and every character and their relationships to each other (with some obvious exceptions). Also very happy about the disclaimer that the dog does not die, as I grew very attached to Atticus.
This novel also deals with a lot of more philosophical issues, such as what it means to be human, bodily autonomy, disposability and free will, all of which were handled, in my opinion, very well and gave me a lot to think about.
Especially when it comes to Be and their siblings, and the choices they make, I find it is a very hopeful story for anyone who has experienced trauma, or mental illness, and feels defined by these experiences and labels. As someone with several stigmatised illnesses myself (the ones that get you labelled automatically abusive), I really appreciated how heavily free will, rather than one's "nature", was featured in this novel, as well as the issue of bodily autonomy, even for "the greater good". Again, my own experience as a disabled and mentally ill person might affect my views here, as well as the fact that I am (frequently perceived as) a woman and thus concerns about the loss of bodily autonomy have been rather recent, but I really enjoyed the way that the matter of bodily autonomy was treated, how it was viewed as bad, no matter the motive or potential gains to be made, to force "even a robot" to give up part of their bodily autonomy, even in death.
I think that especially neurodivergent/mentally ill readers will find a lot of things to relate to in this story, and a lot of aspects that are very appreciated and make you feel seen (I also liked how the robots, despite using very technical language, frequently expressed more care than some of the humans in the novel), and I am very happy I got the chance to read this novel as an ARC, and that is just so happened to be one of the first few books I saw after signing up for NetGalley. I might not have found it otherwise, and that would have been very sad indeed.
Robot found-family was not on my bingo card for this year, but I absolutely loved this book.
Starting with the found family aspect, the relationships in this book, I have to say I absolutely adore each and every character and their relationships to each other (with some obvious exceptions). Also very happy about the disclaimer that the dog does not die, as I grew very attached to Atticus.
This novel also deals with a lot of more philosophical issues, such as what it means to be human, bodily autonomy, disposability and free will, all of which were handled, in my opinion, very well and gave me a lot to think about.
Especially when it comes to Be and their siblings, and the choices they make, I find it is a very hopeful story for anyone who has experienced trauma, or mental illness, and feels defined by these experiences and labels. As someone with several stigmatised illnesses myself (the ones that get you labelled automatically abusive), I really appreciated how heavily free will, rather than one's "nature", was featured in this novel, as well as the issue of bodily autonomy, even for "the greater good". Again, my own experience as a disabled and mentally ill person might affect my views here, as well as the fact that I am (frequently perceived as) a woman and thus concerns about the loss of bodily autonomy have been rather recent, but I really enjoyed the way that the matter of bodily autonomy was treated, how it was viewed as bad, no matter the motive or potential gains to be made, to force "even a robot" to give up part of their bodily autonomy, even in death.
I think that especially neurodivergent/mentally ill readers will find a lot of things to relate to in this story, and a lot of aspects that are very appreciated and make you feel seen (I also liked how the robots, despite using very technical language, frequently expressed more care than some of the humans in the novel), and I am very happy I got the chance to read this novel as an ARC, and that is just so happened to be one of the first few books I saw after signing up for NetGalley. I might not have found it otherwise, and that would have been very sad indeed.
February 16, 2026
Two parts cozy science fiction, one part dystopian horrors. It’s an interesting mix set in a complex backdrop of sentient mechanical beings and a busted up landscape.
Suzanne Palmer does a great job of layering the world building so you learn more and more of the history of mecha and the collapse of society over the course of the book. The mystery helps move the plot forward. I am giving it 4 stars for the writing style and world building. I would have liked the plot to be less repetitive. We get a lot of descriptions of similar towns.
However, if you love a slow moving descriptive tale, you will enjoy this post-collapse science fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Suzanne Palmer does a great job of layering the world building so you learn more and more of the history of mecha and the collapse of society over the course of the book. The mystery helps move the plot forward. I am giving it 4 stars for the writing style and world building. I would have liked the plot to be less repetitive. We get a lot of descriptions of similar towns.
However, if you love a slow moving descriptive tale, you will enjoy this post-collapse science fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, DAW, and the author for letting me read and review this arc.
What an amazing time I had while reading this! The story follows Be, a former war machine turned solitary robot, and a group of mechanical, hybrid, and human beings in a post-apocalyptic USA, while they try to figure out who is responsible for the new chaos when mechs and humans alike are finally finding some balance.
This book was filled with banter, found family dynamics, great character development, and amazing world-building. What stood out the most to me was that everything that has happened to get to this post-apocalyptic world isn't as far-fetched as we would like to believe.
The story ended fairly quickly and abruptly, while I would've liked to see more of what happened next. But maybe that means that there will come a second book, and I would definitely love that!
What an amazing time I had while reading this! The story follows Be, a former war machine turned solitary robot, and a group of mechanical, hybrid, and human beings in a post-apocalyptic USA, while they try to figure out who is responsible for the new chaos when mechs and humans alike are finally finding some balance.
This book was filled with banter, found family dynamics, great character development, and amazing world-building. What stood out the most to me was that everything that has happened to get to this post-apocalyptic world isn't as far-fetched as we would like to believe.
The story ended fairly quickly and abruptly, while I would've liked to see more of what happened next. But maybe that means that there will come a second book, and I would definitely love that!
May 5, 2026
4.5 stars
Ode to the Half Broken is an absolute gem. It is beautifully written, heart warming and complex in its narrative while keeping readers engaged through an insightful journey packed with action scenes, a found family and an interesting post-apocalyptic plot from the perspective of a robot.
Years after humanity survived a great conflict, the “end of the world”, an old mech organism (aka robot), formerly programmed only to destroy, lives isolated and running from it’s past, uninterested in what is happening in the world. One day, they wake up to find their body vandalised and one of their legs gone. Without any other choice, they form a bond with a cyborg dog, an unethical experiment mix of a biological dog and an artificial intelligence/being, for help in finding who stole their leg and get it back, in return for feeding the starving animal in a struggling world.
This is perfect for fans of A Psalm for the Wild-Built. It delivers on the cozy vibes and insightful moments. But it adds something on top, the atmosphere and tension ramps up quickly and surely, making this more action packed. It also touches on very complex and heavy topics at times, making it a more reflexive read on what it means to be human, trauma, artificial intelligence (not like we know it right now, think of a more advanced approach) and, above all, healing.
In conclusion, this is a great cozy sci-fi that takes it a notch further with action scenes and plot that keeps you hooked, heart warming scenes and character development while exploring very complex topics in a light, but extremely meaningful way.
Thank you so much to DAW and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Oh wow. This was wonderful and though provoking in the best way possible. 4.5 stars and a more detailed review to come.
Ode to the Half Broken is an absolute gem. It is beautifully written, heart warming and complex in its narrative while keeping readers engaged through an insightful journey packed with action scenes, a found family and an interesting post-apocalyptic plot from the perspective of a robot.
Years after humanity survived a great conflict, the “end of the world”, an old mech organism (aka robot), formerly programmed only to destroy, lives isolated and running from it’s past, uninterested in what is happening in the world. One day, they wake up to find their body vandalised and one of their legs gone. Without any other choice, they form a bond with a cyborg dog, an unethical experiment mix of a biological dog and an artificial intelligence/being, for help in finding who stole their leg and get it back, in return for feeding the starving animal in a struggling world.
This is perfect for fans of A Psalm for the Wild-Built. It delivers on the cozy vibes and insightful moments. But it adds something on top, the atmosphere and tension ramps up quickly and surely, making this more action packed. It also touches on very complex and heavy topics at times, making it a more reflexive read on what it means to be human, trauma, artificial intelligence (not like we know it right now, think of a more advanced approach) and, above all, healing.
In conclusion, this is a great cozy sci-fi that takes it a notch further with action scenes and plot that keeps you hooked, heart warming scenes and character development while exploring very complex topics in a light, but extremely meaningful way.
Thank you so much to DAW and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Oh wow. This was wonderful and though provoking in the best way possible. 4.5 stars and a more detailed review to come.
May 1, 2026
4.5/5 stars
Ode to the Half-Broken is a sci-fi dystopian standalone set in a post-apocalyptic near future. It follows an unnamed ex-war mech who has lived in isolation for decades, only to be pulled back into the world when circumstances demand it. They emerge into a fragile society where independent mechs and human survivors coexist in uneasy balance, but someone is determined to push things back toward war. Joined by a sharp-tongued cyborg dog, Atticus, and a motley group of companions they gather along the way, the mech sets out to uncover who is reigniting the conflict, all while confronting the weight of what they were forced to do during the war and what it means to make amends.
This was excellent. It’s a tender story with the feel of a cozy road trip, even as it delivers plenty of action. It has drawn comparisons to A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers for its philosophical leanings, but it reminded me more of In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune except without the same focus on queer themes. While the tone is often warm and comforting, the story itself never fully settles into “cozy” due to some of the action and the constant undercurrent of danger.
Despite its apocalyptic setting, the novel is deeply heartwarming, emphasizing the humanity of characters who may not be human at all. I loved the (initially) unnamed protagonist as they reluctantly step back into a role they hoped to leave behind. Their introspection—grappling with autonomy, guilt, and the legacy of their programmed past—adds real emotional weight. The relationships are another highlight, especially their dynamic with Atticus, whose humor helps draw them out (think Donkey in Shrek, but toned down). Watching this unlikely group slowly form a found family was genuinely satisfying, and I’d happily follow them on more adventures.
Cozy in tone but not in stakes, Ode to the Half-Broken is a moving story about choosing who you want to be after everything falls apart.
*Thank you DAW for the eARC via NetGalley
Ode to the Half-Broken is a sci-fi dystopian standalone set in a post-apocalyptic near future. It follows an unnamed ex-war mech who has lived in isolation for decades, only to be pulled back into the world when circumstances demand it. They emerge into a fragile society where independent mechs and human survivors coexist in uneasy balance, but someone is determined to push things back toward war. Joined by a sharp-tongued cyborg dog, Atticus, and a motley group of companions they gather along the way, the mech sets out to uncover who is reigniting the conflict, all while confronting the weight of what they were forced to do during the war and what it means to make amends.
This was excellent. It’s a tender story with the feel of a cozy road trip, even as it delivers plenty of action. It has drawn comparisons to A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers for its philosophical leanings, but it reminded me more of In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune except without the same focus on queer themes. While the tone is often warm and comforting, the story itself never fully settles into “cozy” due to some of the action and the constant undercurrent of danger.
Despite its apocalyptic setting, the novel is deeply heartwarming, emphasizing the humanity of characters who may not be human at all. I loved the (initially) unnamed protagonist as they reluctantly step back into a role they hoped to leave behind. Their introspection—grappling with autonomy, guilt, and the legacy of their programmed past—adds real emotional weight. The relationships are another highlight, especially their dynamic with Atticus, whose humor helps draw them out (think Donkey in Shrek, but toned down). Watching this unlikely group slowly form a found family was genuinely satisfying, and I’d happily follow them on more adventures.
Cozy in tone but not in stakes, Ode to the Half-Broken is a moving story about choosing who you want to be after everything falls apart.
*Thank you DAW for the eARC via NetGalley
Did Not Finish
March 11, 2026dnf'ed at 60%
idk, maybe that's totally a me problem but this one didn't click for me at all.
the premise and writing style in itself is actually not too bad, i liked the idea of presenting the first impression of this near future post-apocalyptic world from a sentient mecha's viewpoint and the tone of voice was also quite refreshing but the plot and its pacing felt so off to me. for such a short book the plot kinda dragged on and i just didn't connect with any of the characters at all.
this felt like that one love death and robots episode with the only difference that this book aimed to tell a bigger story which for me just didn't deliver.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and DAW Books for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
idk, maybe that's totally a me problem but this one didn't click for me at all.
the premise and writing style in itself is actually not too bad, i liked the idea of presenting the first impression of this near future post-apocalyptic world from a sentient mecha's viewpoint and the tone of voice was also quite refreshing but the plot and its pacing felt so off to me. for such a short book the plot kinda dragged on and i just didn't connect with any of the characters at all.
this felt like that one love death and robots episode with the only difference that this book aimed to tell a bigger story which for me just didn't deliver.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and DAW Books for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! The depressing dystopian future was well mixed with lovable characters, humour, and hope. I was fascinated by this world and humans and mecha living alongside one another. I agree with the comparison to Becky Chambers' Monk and Robot series and other novels in the Wayferers series but darker. I loved the characters so much and laughed out loud in several places.
November 17, 2025
4.5 - This was fantastic! 'Ode to the Half-Broken' is a perfect story of found family while living in a collapsing world. I was genuinely not expecting the reveals and really enjoyed the dual timeline that gives the reader some extra context.
Thanks NetGalley and DAW for the arc!
Thanks NetGalley and DAW for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm looking for hope and resilience these days and this uplifting, big-hearted novel delivers. Post Apocalypse a highly tech android is quietly studying insects in the abandoned New York botanic garden when his leg is stolen. Helped by a talking bionic dog, a human mechanic and various robots, good and bad, he limps out on an adventure to find it and his missing "family," and mostly come to terms with his and the world's recent troubling history. Add a dash of Magnificent Seven here, a teaspoon of Murderbot there and smidgeon of Philip Reeve's sentient trains to Palmer's enjoyable narrative and strap in for the ride. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2026
This was just okay for me, but your mileage may vary if this is a micro-genre you enjoy. I initially picked up this ARC due to the many comparisons to the Monk and Robot books, but found this to be incredibly different.
The world-building was Rich and interesting. I found the descriptions of the mech and the humans and their interactions to be incredibly unique. The rich history of the world was woven in well and provided a good backdrop for the events that unfold.
However, I found the main cast of characters to be lackluster, and the plot to drag. I never felt compelled to keep reading or to find out what was next. Something about the pacing and depth was off for me.
Thank you to Suzanne Palmer, DAW, and NetGalley for the ARC!
The world-building was Rich and interesting. I found the descriptions of the mech and the humans and their interactions to be incredibly unique. The rich history of the world was woven in well and provided a good backdrop for the events that unfold.
However, I found the main cast of characters to be lackluster, and the plot to drag. I never felt compelled to keep reading or to find out what was next. Something about the pacing and depth was off for me.
Thank you to Suzanne Palmer, DAW, and NetGalley for the ARC!
November 13, 2025
Ode to the Half-Broken has a very big shoes to fill being compared to two of my favorite cosy scifi series. Unfortunately it does not fill them.
This novel has the fatal flaw of not wanting to choose a specific niche and proceeds to fall short in both of them. It's not cosy enough because of the themes it wants to broach and the way it does it. But it's also not action or hard scifi enough because it tries too much to be cosy. So neither of these moods are explored in enough depth to make an impact and it just falls flat like a sad soufflé. You can still eat it but where's the fun.
It's being compared to the Wayfarers series by Beckie Chambers because both are about found families. Unfortunately I couldn't make myself care about the main character or their companions. What's more is that for most of them, I didn't find the reasons they had to stay with the group compelling at all and kept wondering why they were still here. The only one I liked and understood where they were coming from was the drone Charp. People also seem to love the sarcastic cyborg dog Atticus but I did not.
It's also being compared to A Psalm for the Wild Built and that's just slander, sweetie I'm so sorry they are saying that to you. It has none of the warm feeling Psalm made me feel. It does not match the vibes at all, it's way too action focused. Except for the title (it's a very pretty title), they have nothing in common.
As for the story, it starts off pretty easy, the main character is a robot who wakes up in a bathtub and realises someone stole their leg. And so they start a quest to get their leg back. They meet a bunch of characters (humans, robots, and in-between), we learn about their backstory, and we get some musings about life and feelings.
I did like the conversations about putting minds in different bodies and how it impacts personhood, that was interesting. Also the Ancou virus was super interesting and I would have loved more about that. Or anything truly about the way people were impacted.
But the rest of the story did not manage to capture my attention, despite the numerous plot twists. There is one in particular that I absolutely hated and still thinks it's dumb. And also I did not care about the flashbacks at all.
It was not poorly written nor was it offensive. It just wasn't great. If you want a book about sentient AI please go read Of Monsters and Mainframes, or Ancillary Justice. If you want cosy, go read the books it is compared to.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This novel has the fatal flaw of not wanting to choose a specific niche and proceeds to fall short in both of them. It's not cosy enough because of the themes it wants to broach and the way it does it. But it's also not action or hard scifi enough because it tries too much to be cosy. So neither of these moods are explored in enough depth to make an impact and it just falls flat like a sad soufflé. You can still eat it but where's the fun.
It's being compared to the Wayfarers series by Beckie Chambers because both are about found families. Unfortunately I couldn't make myself care about the main character or their companions. What's more is that for most of them, I didn't find the reasons they had to stay with the group compelling at all and kept wondering why they were still here. The only one I liked and understood where they were coming from was the drone Charp. People also seem to love the sarcastic cyborg dog Atticus but I did not.
It's also being compared to A Psalm for the Wild Built and that's just slander, sweetie I'm so sorry they are saying that to you. It has none of the warm feeling Psalm made me feel. It does not match the vibes at all, it's way too action focused. Except for the title (it's a very pretty title), they have nothing in common.
As for the story, it starts off pretty easy, the main character is a robot who wakes up in a bathtub and realises someone stole their leg. And so they start a quest to get their leg back. They meet a bunch of characters (humans, robots, and in-between), we learn about their backstory, and we get some musings about life and feelings.
I did like the conversations about putting minds in different bodies and how it impacts personhood, that was interesting. Also the Ancou virus was super interesting and I would have loved more about that. Or anything truly about the way people were impacted.
But the rest of the story did not manage to capture my attention, despite the numerous plot twists. There is one in particular that I absolutely hated and still thinks it's dumb. And also I did not care about the flashbacks at all.
It was not poorly written nor was it offensive. It just wasn't great. If you want a book about sentient AI please go read Of Monsters and Mainframes, or Ancillary Justice. If you want cosy, go read the books it is compared to.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
May 29, 2026
This one just blew me away. To the point where I had to let it settle for a day before writing this review, so that I could be coherent enough to say something more than just SQUEE! (Fair warning, I’m still going to squee because this was so awesome.
Initially, I picked this up because I loved the author’s Finder Chronicles, and the universe-weary voice of the series chaos-magnet protagonist, Fergus Ferguson. I wasn’t expecting more Fergus – I mean, it would be nice to get more of that series but Fergus’ AND HIS FRIENDS’ odds of survival degrade with each story so they’re all better off if he stays retired.
In Ode to the Half-Broken, from the perspective of its initially unnamed protagonist (and its name is DEFINITELY an integral part of the story) I got something entirely different – but equally as fascinating if not just a bit more – in every possible way.
It all begins when our unnamed main character wakes up in a bathtub in a ruined building, covered in EMP chips, disconnected from the network – and from most of their own senses. Minus one leg. As our point of view character is a bipedal mech, the loss of a leg is a significant impairment to mobility.
It gets better. Both in the physical sense and in the sense that the story just keeps getting better and better. We’re already invested in this mech’s dilemma/mystery and the story just keeps getting more involving as it goes. Just as the mech does.
The story takes the form of a great American road novel, as our mech sets out from their violated home base in the abandoned wilderness of New York City’s Central Park to find, first and foremost, someone who can restore their mobility. So that they can hunt for whoever, whatever and most importantly whyever their person and their sanctuary was invaded.
What it finds is a world going both right and wrong at the same time. As it gathers a team around it – to its own surprise – made up of different types of mechs from tiny drones to a former trainmech now embodied in a minibus, from a cyborg dog to a human mech mechanic – it trades its former solitude for a cooperative life with others pursuing the same goals and supporting each other through a landscape that is both trying to recover and being pushed towards a deeper disaster.
There are clearly opposing forces helping, hindering and hampering their quest on all sides. As the danger ramps up, the unnamed mech, now calling itself “Be”, is forced to explore a past they hoped they’d left behind them in order to protect their friends in the present in the hopes of finding a brighter future that seems to always be out of reach.
Afraid, very afraid, that if they reclaim their former identity, that future will already be lost.
Escape Rating A++: Reading this got me through a four-hour power failure. By got through I mean that I was so caught up in the story that I was able to ignore the beeping, fweeping and outright wailing of seemingly every single computing device and attendant uninterruptible power supply in the entire house. For FOUR hours. Which is, come to think of it, an appropriate metaphor for this story as its all about mechs and AIs and their integrations or cohabitations – or not – with humanity in this post-apocalyptic world that is doing its damndest either to get out of its current dystopia and/or shove that dystopia into full-on not just end of the world as they know it but end of everything.
The part of this review that’s above the rating doesn’t NEARLY encompass the depth of the story or my complete fascination with it and utter absorption in it. I’ll try some more here.
As readalikes kept popping into my head as I read this story, I realized that I’ve read a lot more robot/mech/AI stories in the past few years than I thought – and I thought I’d read quite a few. Thinking about those stories, and the whole of Ode to the Half-Broken, I think the way it plays out in my head is that it’s a trip through the post-apocalyptic dystopia of Service Model, but the dystopia is more like Shining Smith’s world in Junkyard Cats, hoping to get through its Mad Max style dysfunction to a post-post-apocalypse that has the hope and the healing of A Psalm for the Wild-Built, but with a level of interspecies/intermech/intereverything cooperation like Automatic Noodle. I could throw a few more books on that pile, particularly American War by Omar El Akkad, because the way this dystopia has fractured has a uniquely American feel. Not that Europe probably isn’t in just as big a mess, but if we were viewing this story from Europe, or Asia, or anywhere else in the world, it would look different. Just as fucked up, but different.
Ode to the Half-Broken is certainly a great American road novel, but the road it’s travelling on was created, bombed, and irradiated by the actual, literal four horsemen of the apocalypse. One of whom is trying to make the apocalypse worse, one who is helping the world recover, one who is actively fighting against any further collapse and one who is along for the ride, being a good boi AND a good friend every mile of the way.
I’m not even close to describing just how good this was. But I’m going to stop trying because I hope I’ve teased you enough to get you to read it. The characters were fascinating, fantastic and utterly real, from the narrator to the toolbox mechs to the dudebros and the warmongers. The world felt like one I could step out of the door and walk right into – even if that would be a bad idea for numerous reasons. It felt, well, both real and fully-realized and entirely too possible.
And yet, in the end, just as there was in Automatic Noodle but entirely differently, there’s hope. A hope that all the characters are clinging to – and so is the reader.
Originally published at Reading Reality
Initially, I picked this up because I loved the author’s Finder Chronicles, and the universe-weary voice of the series chaos-magnet protagonist, Fergus Ferguson. I wasn’t expecting more Fergus – I mean, it would be nice to get more of that series but Fergus’ AND HIS FRIENDS’ odds of survival degrade with each story so they’re all better off if he stays retired.
In Ode to the Half-Broken, from the perspective of its initially unnamed protagonist (and its name is DEFINITELY an integral part of the story) I got something entirely different – but equally as fascinating if not just a bit more – in every possible way.
It all begins when our unnamed main character wakes up in a bathtub in a ruined building, covered in EMP chips, disconnected from the network – and from most of their own senses. Minus one leg. As our point of view character is a bipedal mech, the loss of a leg is a significant impairment to mobility.
It gets better. Both in the physical sense and in the sense that the story just keeps getting better and better. We’re already invested in this mech’s dilemma/mystery and the story just keeps getting more involving as it goes. Just as the mech does.
The story takes the form of a great American road novel, as our mech sets out from their violated home base in the abandoned wilderness of New York City’s Central Park to find, first and foremost, someone who can restore their mobility. So that they can hunt for whoever, whatever and most importantly whyever their person and their sanctuary was invaded.
What it finds is a world going both right and wrong at the same time. As it gathers a team around it – to its own surprise – made up of different types of mechs from tiny drones to a former trainmech now embodied in a minibus, from a cyborg dog to a human mech mechanic – it trades its former solitude for a cooperative life with others pursuing the same goals and supporting each other through a landscape that is both trying to recover and being pushed towards a deeper disaster.
There are clearly opposing forces helping, hindering and hampering their quest on all sides. As the danger ramps up, the unnamed mech, now calling itself “Be”, is forced to explore a past they hoped they’d left behind them in order to protect their friends in the present in the hopes of finding a brighter future that seems to always be out of reach.
Afraid, very afraid, that if they reclaim their former identity, that future will already be lost.
Escape Rating A++: Reading this got me through a four-hour power failure. By got through I mean that I was so caught up in the story that I was able to ignore the beeping, fweeping and outright wailing of seemingly every single computing device and attendant uninterruptible power supply in the entire house. For FOUR hours. Which is, come to think of it, an appropriate metaphor for this story as its all about mechs and AIs and their integrations or cohabitations – or not – with humanity in this post-apocalyptic world that is doing its damndest either to get out of its current dystopia and/or shove that dystopia into full-on not just end of the world as they know it but end of everything.
The part of this review that’s above the rating doesn’t NEARLY encompass the depth of the story or my complete fascination with it and utter absorption in it. I’ll try some more here.
As readalikes kept popping into my head as I read this story, I realized that I’ve read a lot more robot/mech/AI stories in the past few years than I thought – and I thought I’d read quite a few. Thinking about those stories, and the whole of Ode to the Half-Broken, I think the way it plays out in my head is that it’s a trip through the post-apocalyptic dystopia of Service Model, but the dystopia is more like Shining Smith’s world in Junkyard Cats, hoping to get through its Mad Max style dysfunction to a post-post-apocalypse that has the hope and the healing of A Psalm for the Wild-Built, but with a level of interspecies/intermech/intereverything cooperation like Automatic Noodle. I could throw a few more books on that pile, particularly American War by Omar El Akkad, because the way this dystopia has fractured has a uniquely American feel. Not that Europe probably isn’t in just as big a mess, but if we were viewing this story from Europe, or Asia, or anywhere else in the world, it would look different. Just as fucked up, but different.
Ode to the Half-Broken is certainly a great American road novel, but the road it’s travelling on was created, bombed, and irradiated by the actual, literal four horsemen of the apocalypse. One of whom is trying to make the apocalypse worse, one who is helping the world recover, one who is actively fighting against any further collapse and one who is along for the ride, being a good boi AND a good friend every mile of the way.
I’m not even close to describing just how good this was. But I’m going to stop trying because I hope I’ve teased you enough to get you to read it. The characters were fascinating, fantastic and utterly real, from the narrator to the toolbox mechs to the dudebros and the warmongers. The world felt like one I could step out of the door and walk right into – even if that would be a bad idea for numerous reasons. It felt, well, both real and fully-realized and entirely too possible.
And yet, in the end, just as there was in Automatic Noodle but entirely differently, there’s hope. A hope that all the characters are clinging to – and so is the reader.
Originally published at Reading Reality
May 26, 2026
Ode to the Half-Broken is a cozy and hopeful sci-fi novel set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Decades after a global war driven by climate disasters, pandemics, and rogue military AI wiped out most of the human population, deep-seated tensions still linger between humans and machines.
The story unfolds across two timelines: one follows a group of scientists working to build highly advanced mechas in the wake of "the Conflict," while the other takes place years later, following one of those very robots on a rapidly evolving adventure.
Our protagonist is an unnamed military mecha who has spent years living peacefully in isolation, studying ants. Their quiet retirement is shattered when they awake from a forced shutdown to find one of their legs stolen. Pushed out of their comfort zone, the protagonist teams up with Atticus, a sharp-tongued cyborg dog, to seek out a skilled human mechanic for repairs.
As their journey progresses, the group expands, picking up a delightful cast of misfits along the way. However, it quickly becomes evident that the theft of the leg was no random act—an unknown force is targeting our protagonist. To protect their new friends and the fragile remaining world, the mecha must reconcile their violent past with their evolved future.
I am sometimes wary of self-proclaimed “cozy” reads because the pacing can feel sluggish and the plot non-existent. However, while Ode to the Half-Broken absolutely nails the cozy vibe through its found-family trope and existential themes, while successfully balancing them with a genuinely engaging plot packed with adventure, travel, and strong mystery elements.
The book feels incredibly timely, mirroring real-world anxieties about technology and climate in a way that feels supportive rather than anxiety-inducing. My only critique is that I wish we had learned more about "the Conflict" and the individual motivations of the scientists; the lack of depth there left the world-building feeling a bit underdeveloped. Still, it's a heartwarming and engaging read!
Comps:
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers
Murderbot by Martha Wells
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
Huge thank you to the team at DAW for providing a gifted copy for review! All opinions are my own.
The story unfolds across two timelines: one follows a group of scientists working to build highly advanced mechas in the wake of "the Conflict," while the other takes place years later, following one of those very robots on a rapidly evolving adventure.
Our protagonist is an unnamed military mecha who has spent years living peacefully in isolation, studying ants. Their quiet retirement is shattered when they awake from a forced shutdown to find one of their legs stolen. Pushed out of their comfort zone, the protagonist teams up with Atticus, a sharp-tongued cyborg dog, to seek out a skilled human mechanic for repairs.
As their journey progresses, the group expands, picking up a delightful cast of misfits along the way. However, it quickly becomes evident that the theft of the leg was no random act—an unknown force is targeting our protagonist. To protect their new friends and the fragile remaining world, the mecha must reconcile their violent past with their evolved future.
I am sometimes wary of self-proclaimed “cozy” reads because the pacing can feel sluggish and the plot non-existent. However, while Ode to the Half-Broken absolutely nails the cozy vibe through its found-family trope and existential themes, while successfully balancing them with a genuinely engaging plot packed with adventure, travel, and strong mystery elements.
The book feels incredibly timely, mirroring real-world anxieties about technology and climate in a way that feels supportive rather than anxiety-inducing. My only critique is that I wish we had learned more about "the Conflict" and the individual motivations of the scientists; the lack of depth there left the world-building feeling a bit underdeveloped. Still, it's a heartwarming and engaging read!
Comps:
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers
Murderbot by Martha Wells
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
Huge thank you to the team at DAW for providing a gifted copy for review! All opinions are my own.
May 30, 2026
5- stars ✨
First, it needs to be said that this is not cozy sci-fi. I don’t remember exactly where I saw it called that, but it’s not and it’s a disservice to both this book and the subgenre to say so.
Then, I should say this was fantastic. I flew through it in a day of pretty much non-stop reading, which is always my preferred state of being.
I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts as time passes, but I don’t feel like trying to capture them all now. This is a brief impression of my thoughts and enthusiasm for this book.
The characters, of course, make this story. Be will hold a special place in my heart going forward. Big Moodies who just need a big hug will always be dear to me.
The way the mecha were portrayed, generally, as distinctly non-human, while distinctly one species (if you will), worked so well. I think this is part of what made this story work so well. Within that, each mech had a clear own personality and I loved their sense of humour. Charp is a particular favourite, with their dry disses and disarming straightforwardness.
As for the story, I think the author captures it very well in the acknowledgments:
”I can tell you, emphatically, that writing a novel set in the near-future after civilization as we know it has almost utterly collapsed, … , is a very bad idea when the real world around you is trying to do exactly that. For myself as much as anyone else, I needed the book to still communicate hope and friendship, have humor, allow for light, without being either crassly slapstick or flippantly dismissive of the days we are all now currently living in.”
…
And maybe that is what this novel is about: not letting ourselves be stuck.”
Well, while reading this I felt - again - the urgency to commit myself to making the world better, somehow, in some small way, so I would say she has succeeded. I loved this and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for the feeling Station Eleven gave them, through the lens of Murderbot
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
First, it needs to be said that this is not cozy sci-fi. I don’t remember exactly where I saw it called that, but it’s not and it’s a disservice to both this book and the subgenre to say so.
Then, I should say this was fantastic. I flew through it in a day of pretty much non-stop reading, which is always my preferred state of being.
I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts as time passes, but I don’t feel like trying to capture them all now. This is a brief impression of my thoughts and enthusiasm for this book.
The characters, of course, make this story. Be will hold a special place in my heart going forward. Big Moodies who just need a big hug will always be dear to me.
The way the mecha were portrayed, generally, as distinctly non-human, while distinctly one species (if you will), worked so well. I think this is part of what made this story work so well. Within that, each mech had a clear own personality and I loved their sense of humour. Charp is a particular favourite, with their dry disses and disarming straightforwardness.
As for the story, I think the author captures it very well in the acknowledgments:
”I can tell you, emphatically, that writing a novel set in the near-future after civilization as we know it has almost utterly collapsed, … , is a very bad idea when the real world around you is trying to do exactly that. For myself as much as anyone else, I needed the book to still communicate hope and friendship, have humor, allow for light, without being either crassly slapstick or flippantly dismissive of the days we are all now currently living in.”
…
And maybe that is what this novel is about: not letting ourselves be stuck.”
Well, while reading this I felt - again - the urgency to commit myself to making the world better, somehow, in some small way, so I would say she has succeeded. I loved this and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for the feeling Station Eleven gave them, through the lens of Murderbot
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
April 7, 2026
Ode to the Half-Broken is a lovely, fresh spin on a fairly traditional science fiction premise. In this world, machines have gained autonomy but instead of turning into mindless murder bots, most of them simply want to be left alone to make their own choices and exist on their own terms. Of course, that doesn’t mean everything is peaceful; there are still power-hungry humans and familiar “take over the world” schemes, which keep the stakes high without tipping the story into bleakness.
I found the characters engaging and creative, especially the non-human ones. Be, our half-broken mech protagonist, is the real standout, and their perspective anchors the story. The relationships between the main cast felt realistic and emotionally grounded, even if some of them developed a bit quickly. That sense of urgency actually fits the dystopian backdrop, where people (and machines) often have to decide in an instant who they will trust in order to survive.
My favorites were Huckleberry and Atticus, who both added warmth and charm to the narrative, but Be easily stole the show. Their point of view is both endearing and thought-provoking, and the flashbacks to how everything fell apart in the first place were plausible in a way that’s a little unsettling. Palmer’s vision of how we might misuse technology and how both human and mechanical bodies can be treated as disposable felt all too believable, and that makes the hopeful notes in the ending land even more strongly.
Overall, this is an inventive, character-driven take on AI autonomy and what it means to be free. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy thoughtful, slightly dystopian sci-fi that still leaves room for heart, humor, and hope.
I found the characters engaging and creative, especially the non-human ones. Be, our half-broken mech protagonist, is the real standout, and their perspective anchors the story. The relationships between the main cast felt realistic and emotionally grounded, even if some of them developed a bit quickly. That sense of urgency actually fits the dystopian backdrop, where people (and machines) often have to decide in an instant who they will trust in order to survive.
My favorites were Huckleberry and Atticus, who both added warmth and charm to the narrative, but Be easily stole the show. Their point of view is both endearing and thought-provoking, and the flashbacks to how everything fell apart in the first place were plausible in a way that’s a little unsettling. Palmer’s vision of how we might misuse technology and how both human and mechanical bodies can be treated as disposable felt all too believable, and that makes the hopeful notes in the ending land even more strongly.
Overall, this is an inventive, character-driven take on AI autonomy and what it means to be free. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy thoughtful, slightly dystopian sci-fi that still leaves room for heart, humor, and hope.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This speculative science fiction book found me at just the right time in my reading mood. Having recently read books by Martha Wells and Matt Dinniman, I was in the right place to consider the harm of unfettered capitalism on the delicate relationships between ourselves, technology and the natural world. That being said, for all that many aspects of this book hit close to the bone, it is still ultimately hopeful and comforting.
This book is a little like Psalm For the Wild-Built if told from the perspective of Mosscap, if Mosscap was just a little bit Murderbot (except the robot in question wishes to be left alone to observe their insects rather than watch media). This robot isn’t so much averse to having social contact and relationships as it fears them–almost as much as it fears itself and its own potential for violence.
It would be inaccurate to call this a cozy or hope-core science fiction novel, even though it shares some of the elements common to those types of novels (found family, loveable characters, dry humor, etc). This book was more of a “look for the helpers” type of optimistic. I do wish that the emotional payoff toward the end of the book had been drawn out a bit more, but I was ultimately very pleased with the whole pace of the book.
As mentioned above, this book would be perfect for fans of books like Psalm for the Wild-Built, The Murderbot Diaries, or fans of game media like Mass Effect: Andromeda. Perfect for a long weekend of reading where you want emotional stakes that end in hope rather than devastation.
Thank you to Netgalley and DAW for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is a little like Psalm For the Wild-Built if told from the perspective of Mosscap, if Mosscap was just a little bit Murderbot (except the robot in question wishes to be left alone to observe their insects rather than watch media). This robot isn’t so much averse to having social contact and relationships as it fears them–almost as much as it fears itself and its own potential for violence.
It would be inaccurate to call this a cozy or hope-core science fiction novel, even though it shares some of the elements common to those types of novels (found family, loveable characters, dry humor, etc). This book was more of a “look for the helpers” type of optimistic. I do wish that the emotional payoff toward the end of the book had been drawn out a bit more, but I was ultimately very pleased with the whole pace of the book.
As mentioned above, this book would be perfect for fans of books like Psalm for the Wild-Built, The Murderbot Diaries, or fans of game media like Mass Effect: Andromeda. Perfect for a long weekend of reading where you want emotional stakes that end in hope rather than devastation.
Thank you to Netgalley and DAW for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 26, 2026
3.5 stars
Ode to the Half-Broken is a wonderful mix of the cozy, hopefulness from Chamber's A Psalm for the Wild-Built and the humor plus realistic conflict and strife of Well's Murderbot series. An entertaining adventure tale for fans of dystopian worlds, quests, and found family.
This was my first work of Palmer's and I very much enjoyed the writing style. The clear difference between the speech pattern for humans and for mecha added a lot to the characters, and led to the occasional humorous interaction that added levity to the novel. I also really appreciated the choice to intersperse snip-its of the past in between the present-day chapters. It not only gave background, but also a peek into the minds of those who helped push the planet towards the inevitable warfare and bloodshed that led to the broken world our characters call home.
Be and their ragtag group of friends made for a delightful tale of community and personal growth that's rooted in healing and hope. Despite the ending feeling a bit rushed (honestly I was expecting a set up for a duology), I had a lovely time with these characters. If "cozy" adventures or sci-fi is your thing, this is worth the read - though, given today's political climate, a warning that some moments will feel a little too close to home for comfort.
Thank you to DAW for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ode to the Half-Broken is a wonderful mix of the cozy, hopefulness from Chamber's A Psalm for the Wild-Built and the humor plus realistic conflict and strife of Well's Murderbot series. An entertaining adventure tale for fans of dystopian worlds, quests, and found family.
This was my first work of Palmer's and I very much enjoyed the writing style. The clear difference between the speech pattern for humans and for mecha added a lot to the characters, and led to the occasional humorous interaction that added levity to the novel. I also really appreciated the choice to intersperse snip-its of the past in between the present-day chapters. It not only gave background, but also a peek into the minds of those who helped push the planet towards the inevitable warfare and bloodshed that led to the broken world our characters call home.
Be and their ragtag group of friends made for a delightful tale of community and personal growth that's rooted in healing and hope. Despite the ending feeling a bit rushed (honestly I was expecting a set up for a duology), I had a lovely time with these characters. If "cozy" adventures or sci-fi is your thing, this is worth the read - though, given today's political climate, a warning that some moments will feel a little too close to home for comfort.
Thank you to DAW for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 20, 2026
wowww how wonderful was this i cry!! not only was this indeed hopepunk but it had great messaging and analysis of the modern day and age (and what it may be like in the not so distant future). so many important and prescient themes and motifs and philosophical ideations.
i was immediately endeared to the characters. my heart!! their resilience and adaptability and hope and love and joy stuck with me.
there was also amazing representation of mental illness, disability, and the themes of free will and bodily autonomy wove so well into them. not to mention the exploration of humanity and nature and how we find them in everything we see and touch.
this book gave me some monk & robot vibes but i also hate to compare it to that series because this book stands uniquely on its own!
what a lovely story about humanity and hope!! (with a little bit of grit) please read this if you need a pick me up. amaze!!
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!
i was immediately endeared to the characters. my heart!! their resilience and adaptability and hope and love and joy stuck with me.
there was also amazing representation of mental illness, disability, and the themes of free will and bodily autonomy wove so well into them. not to mention the exploration of humanity and nature and how we find them in everything we see and touch.
this book gave me some monk & robot vibes but i also hate to compare it to that series because this book stands uniquely on its own!
what a lovely story about humanity and hope!! (with a little bit of grit) please read this if you need a pick me up. amaze!!
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!
May 25, 2026
Thank you to DAW Books for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.
This book is so beautiful and so needed right now. This book felt like Becky Chambers meets Murderbot and I am Legend. I am always a fan of sentient robots living in dystopian futures and everything about this future Earth is broken.
Be and Atticus (the cyborg dog) are two of my favorite characters I have read this year and the side character cast that grows along the way is fantastic also. It's a found family of misfit robots and humans that are just trying to survive and maybe make the world heal a bit.
I just couldn't put this one down and I am so sad that it is over.
This book is so beautiful and so needed right now. This book felt like Becky Chambers meets Murderbot and I am Legend. I am always a fan of sentient robots living in dystopian futures and everything about this future Earth is broken.
Be and Atticus (the cyborg dog) are two of my favorite characters I have read this year and the side character cast that grows along the way is fantastic also. It's a found family of misfit robots and humans that are just trying to survive and maybe make the world heal a bit.
I just couldn't put this one down and I am so sad that it is over.
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