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The Archaeology of Falling Worlds
Not yet published
Expected 23 Feb 27Cyberpunk 2077 meets Studio Ghibli in The Archaeology of Falling Worlds, a cyberpunk sci-fi epic exploring class inequality and migration in a multiverse on the brink of extinction.
In a dying multiverse, survival demands sacrifice.
Starga is a vibrant city built with technology and magic from a thousand unreachable worlds. Here, people and creatures from across the universe fall from the sky with no memory of their past. What lies beyond Starga is a mystery, because nobody is able to leave. And with more beings arriving every year, its resources are at a tipping point.
Frey has a knack for turning abandoned debris into underground treasure, but she's eager to rise above her life with a Lower District gang. When they coerce her into one last job in exchange for her freedom, she can't say no. In the desert wastelands that surround Starga, Frey collides with Alasar, a naive archaeologist, and the two make a shocking discovery: the newly fallen Silver, a sentient, shape-shifting worm whose lost memories have the power to change their entire world. Now they must wrestle with an impossible calculus: protect Starga at any cost? Or risk everything they've ever known for an uncertain future?
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is a compelling exploration of what makes an imperfect world worth saving—and a brilliant new vision of sanctuary and survival on an intergalactic scale.
In a dying multiverse, survival demands sacrifice.
Starga is a vibrant city built with technology and magic from a thousand unreachable worlds. Here, people and creatures from across the universe fall from the sky with no memory of their past. What lies beyond Starga is a mystery, because nobody is able to leave. And with more beings arriving every year, its resources are at a tipping point.
Frey has a knack for turning abandoned debris into underground treasure, but she's eager to rise above her life with a Lower District gang. When they coerce her into one last job in exchange for her freedom, she can't say no. In the desert wastelands that surround Starga, Frey collides with Alasar, a naive archaeologist, and the two make a shocking discovery: the newly fallen Silver, a sentient, shape-shifting worm whose lost memories have the power to change their entire world. Now they must wrestle with an impossible calculus: protect Starga at any cost? Or risk everything they've ever known for an uncertain future?
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is a compelling exploration of what makes an imperfect world worth saving—and a brilliant new vision of sanctuary and survival on an intergalactic scale.
416 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 23, 2027
About the author
Megan Chee
15 books36 followersMegan Chee is a Singaporean author who has lived in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States, and is currently based in Singapore. Her debut science-fantasy novel The Archaeology of Falling Worlds will be published in February 2027 by Daphne Press (UK) and Bindery Books (US). Her short fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld Magazine, Uncanny Magazine, Strange Horizons, Lightspeed Magazine, and other venues. Her work has been translated into Chinese in Science Fiction World, and has been featured in The Year’s Best Fantasy anthology (Pyr Books). Her short story “The God of Minor Troubles” was narrated by Wil Wheaton on Season 1 of his audiobook podcast It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I need Cyberpunk Ghibli to be a whole genre, because I could really see the vision here. The story is set in the city of Starga that lies in the middle of a wasteland underneath a strange sky. Strange as in: things keep falling out of it. There's everything coming down from debris to artefacts to people to whole buildings and while no one knows why this is happening, it just is everyday life in Starga and also a profitable business. The artefacts originate from different worlds and it's a whole science to figure out what certain objects are doing and how they can be repurposed. The archeology was definitely one of my favorite parts of this book, simply because I love reading about magical objects. The two main characters are both working in the same field, but they approach archeology quite differently. Frey is always tinkering with whatever magical objects she can get her hands on and she isn't above joining scavengers or trying her luck in underground auction houses, while Alasar is doing it the elite and official way where he is also expected to excel at it. They cross paths in a very unlucky situation where they also adopt a shapeshifting void creature that no one has ever seen before and that's the start of a long series of problems. The characters weren't too memorable for me, but they did have interesting powers and I liked that they felt rather grounded in this massive world where everything is possible. I was very much in awe whenever the futuristic city was described and there often was beauty and whimsy in between the science and innovation that Starga is known for. I also liked that the book discussed ethical questions that naturally come up when things and creatures keep falling out of the sky and are more or less just claimed by and assimilated into the city. On the other hand I do have to say that there were plenty of details on the surface, but only few things were ever actually explored in depth. This book is full of creative ideas, but many are only small and basically just mentioned once without lingering on them. It's a very fast-paced book in my opinion and I was constantly bombarded with new things instead of really fleshing the important ones out first. The story gets very ambitious in the second half – think cosmic mysteries and apocalyptic threats – and I just wish that it all stayed more small-scale. Because even though the characters constantly got themselves into dire situations, all problems were always solved rather quickly. I would have much preferred it if they just kept exploring the city and worked with strange artefacts instead of adding more and more and more. So in the end this wasn't really the story that I had hoped for, but I do see much potential here. It's a very solid debut and I will keep an eye out for Megan Chee's future works. Her imagination is nothing short of brilliant and that alone makes this book worth reading in my opinion.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Skies Press / Bindery Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Skies Press / Bindery Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very strong 4 stars for me, and I found it to be a very satisfying read. In particular, this was the first time that I (a longtime sci-fi lover) have ever read a sci-fi novel that felt truly cozy AND like it was specifically written for women without the plot being romance-forward. I saw that the blurb for this book mentions that it is “Cyberpunk 2077 with Studio Ghibli vibes”, and yes, this is so accurate...it's a little cozy, a little gritty, and a little cartoonish, all in a very fun way.
When I say it feels like it's written for women, what I mean is that the main focus of this novel is the characters and their inner worlds. Whenever I read male-centered sci-fi, the plots nearly always revolve around "How do we solve this problem?" with the characters and their interpersonal & intrapersonal relationships taking a back seat to the more technical aspects of the plot. While that can be very interesting, it's also not my personal preference, and what I liked in this story was the way the main characters absolutely needed to solve a problem, and then did so in a way that left them connecting with themselves and the other characters in the book.
There is a strong theme of found friendship in this book, basically zero romance (there is a thought here and there of "Maybe this person?" and that is the extent of it), and action that is mostly non-violent with a few major exceptions (though not in a way that felt unnecessarily gory or even unrealistic). The plot and world-building has a very Pop Art, almost neon-urban anime-ish kind of feel (like if you took an animated Tokyo, combined it with a city from Star Wars, and then made it extra neon-colored), and the characters are earnest, relatable people who grow and evolve as the plot progresses.
Two minor things stopped this from being a full 5-star read for me. The first was that the writing was simply a bit too tight, by which I mean that it follows the rule of "Chekov's gun" a bit too closely for my taste. If the only thing that's described in a room is Chekov's gun on the wall, this often strips away the element of surprise in a story since now I know FOR SURE that it's going to be used later and it's no longer a surprise. If I'm given a few more elements—the lamp in the room, a tapestry hanging on a wall, fairy lights draped around a banister—then I can let the writing take me along for more of a ride, and feel a jolt of delight when the gun shows up later in the story.
My second observation was that in the midst of this extremely tight writing, there were a few characters or other plot points that were mentioned briefly and then more or less completely dropped: the goddess sitting on top of the temple, Kiana, the Scavengers, the Citizen's leader person, a few coworkers, etc. This wouldn't have stuck out to me had the rest of the writing not been the polar opposite of this (i.e., Chekov's gun at every possible turn), but again, this was such a minor thing that I noticed it but didn't feel concerned.
With that said, these are EXTREMELY minor nitpicks which didn't prevent me from enjoying the book from start to finish at all. This book felt entirely crafted by human hands, and at this point in history (where half my ARCs leave me feeling unhappily suspicious in that regard), this makes me appreciate it 10x more.
Overall, I found the writing very enjoyable to read, and I thought that the world that Megan Chee created was SOOOO much fun to exist in (it was so completely outlandish that it was just fantastic). I really cannot wait to see how Chee's career progresses over the next few years. I'll be following along for sure!
When I say it feels like it's written for women, what I mean is that the main focus of this novel is the characters and their inner worlds. Whenever I read male-centered sci-fi, the plots nearly always revolve around "How do we solve this problem?" with the characters and their interpersonal & intrapersonal relationships taking a back seat to the more technical aspects of the plot. While that can be very interesting, it's also not my personal preference, and what I liked in this story was the way the main characters absolutely needed to solve a problem, and then did so in a way that left them connecting with themselves and the other characters in the book.
There is a strong theme of found friendship in this book, basically zero romance (there is a thought here and there of "Maybe this person?" and that is the extent of it), and action that is mostly non-violent with a few major exceptions (though not in a way that felt unnecessarily gory or even unrealistic). The plot and world-building has a very Pop Art, almost neon-urban anime-ish kind of feel (like if you took an animated Tokyo, combined it with a city from Star Wars, and then made it extra neon-colored), and the characters are earnest, relatable people who grow and evolve as the plot progresses.
Two minor things stopped this from being a full 5-star read for me. The first was that the writing was simply a bit too tight, by which I mean that it follows the rule of "Chekov's gun" a bit too closely for my taste. If the only thing that's described in a room is Chekov's gun on the wall, this often strips away the element of surprise in a story since now I know FOR SURE that it's going to be used later and it's no longer a surprise. If I'm given a few more elements—the lamp in the room, a tapestry hanging on a wall, fairy lights draped around a banister—then I can let the writing take me along for more of a ride, and feel a jolt of delight when the gun shows up later in the story.
My second observation was that in the midst of this extremely tight writing, there were a few characters or other plot points that were mentioned briefly and then more or less completely dropped: the goddess sitting on top of the temple, Kiana, the Scavengers, the Citizen's leader person, a few coworkers, etc. This wouldn't have stuck out to me had the rest of the writing not been the polar opposite of this (i.e., Chekov's gun at every possible turn), but again, this was such a minor thing that I noticed it but didn't feel concerned.
With that said, these are EXTREMELY minor nitpicks which didn't prevent me from enjoying the book from start to finish at all. This book felt entirely crafted by human hands, and at this point in history (where half my ARCs leave me feeling unhappily suspicious in that regard), this makes me appreciate it 10x more.
Overall, I found the writing very enjoyable to read, and I thought that the world that Megan Chee created was SOOOO much fun to exist in (it was so completely outlandish that it was just fantastic). I really cannot wait to see how Chee's career progresses over the next few years. I'll be following along for sure!
Review of advance copy
Cyberpunk 2077 x Miyazaki, LET'S GOOOOOO! Now that Archaeology is officially on NetGalley I suppose I can drop this here :) Immediate bias check, I am the acquiring publisher for this book in the US.
This book is fun and vibrant and surprisingly brutal and anchored by characters I became attached to the moment I met them on the page. Megan Chee has a real talent for this balance in her sci-fi writing between the mundane (a dead end office job and the struggle to stay on top of bills) and the fantastical (aliens and artefacts that fall from the sky at random into a city inhabited by people and creatures and magic from all across the universe(s)), along with the particular brand of brutality you find in Hayao Miyazaki's films that's often camouflaged to the naked eye by bright colors and beautiful creatures. A sort of off-kilter feeling of looking at something so wonderful and then seeing its bloody underbelly.
Also I really love the snails.
(When I tell you I was so caught by this story that I couldn't put it down, please know that I am 1000% serious. I was in the middle of moving when this manuscript hit my inbox, settling into a new place with almost no furniture, and rather than wait a few days until I could unpack and find my e-reader, I hooked my computer up to my TV and read this manuscript on a 55" screen. Look, it made sense to me at the time, I simply could not look at my laptop screen 6 inches from my face anymore but I HAD to see where this story was going.)
This book is fun and vibrant and surprisingly brutal and anchored by characters I became attached to the moment I met them on the page. Megan Chee has a real talent for this balance in her sci-fi writing between the mundane (a dead end office job and the struggle to stay on top of bills) and the fantastical (aliens and artefacts that fall from the sky at random into a city inhabited by people and creatures and magic from all across the universe(s)), along with the particular brand of brutality you find in Hayao Miyazaki's films that's often camouflaged to the naked eye by bright colors and beautiful creatures. A sort of off-kilter feeling of looking at something so wonderful and then seeing its bloody underbelly.
Also I really love the snails.
(When I tell you I was so caught by this story that I couldn't put it down, please know that I am 1000% serious. I was in the middle of moving when this manuscript hit my inbox, settling into a new place with almost no furniture, and rather than wait a few days until I could unpack and find my e-reader, I hooked my computer up to my TV and read this manuscript on a 55" screen. Look, it made sense to me at the time, I simply could not look at my laptop screen 6 inches from my face anymore but I HAD to see where this story was going.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Bindery Books for the advance free copy. All opinions are my own.
Original doesn’t always mean good. This book had a fantastic premise, but it didn’t deliver what it promised.
The vibrant city of Starga is full of magic and danger. Sentient beings, debris and unknown technologies fall from the skies. No one knows why, and what lies beyond Starga is a complete mystery. Our two main characters, two aspiring archaeologists (who are very different from modern day archaeologists), start working together in order to save everything they’ve grown to care for.
The stakes were supposed to be high, but every single time things went smoothly because, at the time of danger, some important and useful information would be revealed. Each threat was quickly avoided, no matter what the characters were going through I knew they would survive and go forward with their mission. The stakes felt nonexistent, even when they were written on the page, they didn't feel plausible.
The writing was overly-descriptive, leaving no room for the reader’s own interpretation. This made the reading experience extremely frustrating, especially when talking about themes or descriptions.
I did like the main ideas behind this and I thought the world-building was quite creative, but in my opinion this novel needed more editing in order to create a world and a set of characters that would actually be memorable.
P.s.: the curse words were so cringe-worthy!
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Underwhelming to say the least. With a premise as fun as this, why did this novel feel so empty and underdeveloped? Full RTC soon.
Original doesn’t always mean good. This book had a fantastic premise, but it didn’t deliver what it promised.
The vibrant city of Starga is full of magic and danger. Sentient beings, debris and unknown technologies fall from the skies. No one knows why, and what lies beyond Starga is a complete mystery. Our two main characters, two aspiring archaeologists (who are very different from modern day archaeologists), start working together in order to save everything they’ve grown to care for.
The stakes were supposed to be high, but every single time things went smoothly because, at the time of danger, some important and useful information would be revealed. Each threat was quickly avoided, no matter what the characters were going through I knew they would survive and go forward with their mission. The stakes felt nonexistent, even when they were written on the page, they didn't feel plausible.
The writing was overly-descriptive, leaving no room for the reader’s own interpretation. This made the reading experience extremely frustrating, especially when talking about themes or descriptions.
I did like the main ideas behind this and I thought the world-building was quite creative, but in my opinion this novel needed more editing in order to create a world and a set of characters that would actually be memorable.
P.s.: the curse words were so cringe-worthy!
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Underwhelming to say the least. With a premise as fun as this, why did this novel feel so empty and underdeveloped? Full RTC soon.
July 29, 2026
Read for work, such a fun sci fi cyberpunk world!! I loved all of the different creatures and alien races
Read
October 9, 2026Megan Chee is a master worldbuilder and mythmaker. With effortless imagination she weaves a world of surreal beauty, found families, and infinite cabbage! Remember the name, because she’s here to stay.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this ebook ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
I'm rarely lost for words but this book? This book has done it.
Chee has crafted a cyberpunk science fiction novel where a city in a desert has been built with the people and the debris from various worlds that have fallen from the sky over the course of centuries. We follow the story of this city and, eventually, where all the falling things are coming from, through the eyes of Frey, who grew up in the worst of the city and scraped and studied her way up to the middle, and Alasar, son and heir of one of the most powerful men in the high/upper part of the city.
As you read, the layers of what has created and drives this city are revealed, and Chee is masterful at managing the moral dilemmas and social commentary without making you feel whacked over the head with it. Silver, the "void worm" (though there's a deeper story there, of course) is amazing. Sokoa as Alasar's mentor is my favorite secondary character, along with his family, and brought a real warmth and lightness to the story in his care and support of Alasar.
But what really stands out is the vivid descriptions that draw you deeply into this unusual city and world (without dragging out descriptions or being unwieldy). I was drawn in from the start of the book and the writing didn't falter or grow weaker in any spot, which is really difficult to do. I'm very glad I got to read this book as an ARC, and I can't wait to recommend it to everyone I know.
I'm rarely lost for words but this book? This book has done it.
Chee has crafted a cyberpunk science fiction novel where a city in a desert has been built with the people and the debris from various worlds that have fallen from the sky over the course of centuries. We follow the story of this city and, eventually, where all the falling things are coming from, through the eyes of Frey, who grew up in the worst of the city and scraped and studied her way up to the middle, and Alasar, son and heir of one of the most powerful men in the high/upper part of the city.
As you read, the layers of what has created and drives this city are revealed, and Chee is masterful at managing the moral dilemmas and social commentary without making you feel whacked over the head with it. Silver, the "void worm" (though there's a deeper story there, of course) is amazing. Sokoa as Alasar's mentor is my favorite secondary character, along with his family, and brought a real warmth and lightness to the story in his care and support of Alasar.
But what really stands out is the vivid descriptions that draw you deeply into this unusual city and world (without dragging out descriptions or being unwieldy). I was drawn in from the start of the book and the writing didn't falter or grow weaker in any spot, which is really difficult to do. I'm very glad I got to read this book as an ARC, and I can't wait to recommend it to everyone I know.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun read! The first half of the book was particularly strong — I loved seeing the contrast between this weird whimsical world and the mundanity of the regular lives people live within it. The main characters were immediately compelling and likable, and I really loved our introduction to this weird little shapeshifting worm. Everything about it was so fun and I was prepared for this to be a 5-star read.
The latter half didn't work as well for me, but it was still fun and interesting. As the plot progresses, the scope of the story and the setting expand. I don't know how much of it was user error, since I had to take some awkwardly-timed breaks in my reading, but the story lost a bit energy for me in this transition. The new settings we're introduced to didn't feel as lush as the primary setting. While this makes sense given how much time they have on the page, it did make this section of the book feel a bit out of place to me. It was necessary for the direction the plot took though, and I did enjoy the way the plot picked up later on.
I'm still on the fence about how satisfied I am by the ending. I don't see how it could have ended anywhere else, and I am happy with where the characters ended up. But I do wish there'd been a bit more space for the relationship between the main characters toward the end of the book. Their trouble in communication is a thread throughout the story and I would have enjoyed seeing more follow-through in that development during the climax and resolution.
The first half of this book was practically perfect for me, and the rest of it didn't quite live up to that, but I had a great time with it overall.
The latter half didn't work as well for me, but it was still fun and interesting. As the plot progresses, the scope of the story and the setting expand. I don't know how much of it was user error, since I had to take some awkwardly-timed breaks in my reading, but the story lost a bit energy for me in this transition. The new settings we're introduced to didn't feel as lush as the primary setting. While this makes sense given how much time they have on the page, it did make this section of the book feel a bit out of place to me. It was necessary for the direction the plot took though, and I did enjoy the way the plot picked up later on.
I'm still on the fence about how satisfied I am by the ending. I don't see how it could have ended anywhere else, and I am happy with where the characters ended up. But I do wish there'd been a bit more space for the relationship between the main characters toward the end of the book. Their trouble in communication is a thread throughout the story and I would have enjoyed seeing more follow-through in that development during the climax and resolution.
The first half of this book was practically perfect for me, and the rest of it didn't quite live up to that, but I had a great time with it overall.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5
This was really fun! Desperate for more cozy-ish sci fi and this certainly scratches that itch.
The story is immediately interesting and the characters are ones you want to root for. The world building is really solid. A great starter if you’re looking for some non space opera-y sci fi. I love how to main characters interact with each other and aren’t immediately slated for a romance. And it wouldn’t be a cozy story without a journey with an adorable mysterious creature. This story manages to touch on serious political and class related situations without distracting at all from the story.
My only gripe is that part 2 kind of became a different story, and I was hoping for a little more of the archeology to be integrated. Some of the side characters didn’t serve too much purpose either.
Definitely recommend this and hope for more in the same world (I’ll even take in the same vein) from this author.
Buy, Borrow, or Pass? Definitely a buy
Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was really fun! Desperate for more cozy-ish sci fi and this certainly scratches that itch.
The story is immediately interesting and the characters are ones you want to root for. The world building is really solid. A great starter if you’re looking for some non space opera-y sci fi. I love how to main characters interact with each other and aren’t immediately slated for a romance. And it wouldn’t be a cozy story without a journey with an adorable mysterious creature. This story manages to touch on serious political and class related situations without distracting at all from the story.
My only gripe is that part 2 kind of became a different story, and I was hoping for a little more of the archeology to be integrated. Some of the side characters didn’t serve too much purpose either.
Definitely recommend this and hope for more in the same world (I’ll even take in the same vein) from this author.
Buy, Borrow, or Pass? Definitely a buy
Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!
4 stars. This would have been closer to a 5 if I could have gotten into it a little quicker. I felt like the beginning was a bit info-dumpy and I struggled to immediately connect to the characters. Once I got into it though, I really enjoyed it. Particularly when a certain character shows up (iykyk) then I was really invested. This was such a creative world and I really enjoyed trying to picture everything that was going on.
4 stars. This would have been closer to a 5 if I could have gotten into it a little quicker. I felt like the beginning was a bit info-dumpy and I struggled to immediately connect to the characters. Once I got into it though, I really enjoyed it. Particularly when a certain character shows up (iykyk) then I was really invested. This was such a creative world and I really enjoyed trying to picture everything that was going on.
Did Not Finish
October 19, 2026Thank you to Skies Press/Bindery Books and Netgalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DNF'ed at the 15 percent mark - while the setting had lots of promise, the novel does the thing very common in sci-fi where they just plonk the reader straight into the worldbuilding without any lead up or explanation, and unfortunately there just appeared to be way too many moving parts (e.g., the debrisfall phenomenon, non-human creatures, the dystopian?? society) for me to be able to grasp what the heck was going on to begin with.
DNF'ed at the 15 percent mark - while the setting had lots of promise, the novel does the thing very common in sci-fi where they just plonk the reader straight into the worldbuilding without any lead up or explanation, and unfortunately there just appeared to be way too many moving parts (e.g., the debrisfall phenomenon, non-human creatures, the dystopian?? society) for me to be able to grasp what the heck was going on to begin with.
Read
October 4, 2026My blurb!
Imagine THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF FALLING WORLDS as space opera-esque STUDIO GHIBLI meets GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Chee transports us to a world that is vividly surreal and delightfully abstract, taking us on an adventure that is cosmic, chaotic, and humorous. A novel about bravery, sacrifice, possibility, as well as forced migration and diaspora filled with wit and heart.
Imagine THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF FALLING WORLDS as space opera-esque STUDIO GHIBLI meets GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Chee transports us to a world that is vividly surreal and delightfully abstract, taking us on an adventure that is cosmic, chaotic, and humorous. A novel about bravery, sacrifice, possibility, as well as forced migration and diaspora filled with wit and heart.
October 9, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for providing me with an ARC of this book!
I am blown away. It has been so very long since I've fallen in love with a world the way I fell in love with Starga. Its strange and fascinating people, the vibrant, neon lights, and of course, its confounding sky that randomly rains civilizations. This is a truly genius concept, but it doesn't just stop at that- the followthrough is so intriguing, so compelling, so brilliant. It's easy to come up with an interesting world, but not quite so easy to actually build it from the ground up.
This world is endlessly fascinating. There are so many stories to be told, tales of lost histories and extinct species and beautiful, unimaginable realms- and I ate up every single crumb of those stories. From page one, The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is riveting in its mystery. A bustling city-state oasis where nobody quite knows what the hell is going on? Please say more. This had such a strong sense of setting, the Cyberpunk 2077 inspiration is such a joy to read. I read this with Cyberpunk ambiance playing in the background- 10/10 recommend. I absolutely adored exploring this strange and sprawling city, Chee's stunning descriptions made it so vivid in my mind and something about it was so inexplicably lovely to me.
I also love these characters so much. They are so easy to root for, and to grow ridiculously fond of from the get-go. Even though not much time is dedicated to strictly exploring Frey and Alasar's backgrounds, their identities, personalties, and motivations shine through so clearly in the plot. They feel like real people (funny, considering Frey has literal wings growing out of her body) with genuine desires. So much of their characterization is explored through their relationships to the novel's side characters, who are also just as much fun to read about and add so much to the story. I am particularly partial to Sakoa, stressed out and exhausted father figure icon. Every plot point, down to seemingly innocuous items, is expertly interwoven and connected.
I thought this was incredibly paced, though I think part one is my favorite- there was just something so magical about discovering Starga and its mysteries. The entire novel, all the way through to the end, has a perfect blend of action and day-to-day happenings. This might sound crazy, but I genuinely got slice-of-life, cozy vibes from certain scenes. Which *is* crazy because this book is absolutely neither of those things, and yet that feeling lends a true sense of grounding to this otherwise otherworldly climactic plot. I also thoroughly enjoyed the writing style! As I said, the descriptions were rich and vivd, but the narration and dialogue are equally as engaging. Something that stands out to me is the clever way Chee coins names for every day things. Like hello I also want an ultra-sized extra-energy-booster ice garrabean cornmilk latte. Its so fun and only adds to this vibrant, confounding world.
I could read a hundred stories in this world, and I sincerely hope I get the chance to. This is such an expansive universe with the potential for so many stories, and I so desperately want more. I absolutely adored this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for providing me with an ARC of this book!
I am blown away. It has been so very long since I've fallen in love with a world the way I fell in love with Starga. Its strange and fascinating people, the vibrant, neon lights, and of course, its confounding sky that randomly rains civilizations. This is a truly genius concept, but it doesn't just stop at that- the followthrough is so intriguing, so compelling, so brilliant. It's easy to come up with an interesting world, but not quite so easy to actually build it from the ground up.
This world is endlessly fascinating. There are so many stories to be told, tales of lost histories and extinct species and beautiful, unimaginable realms- and I ate up every single crumb of those stories. From page one, The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is riveting in its mystery. A bustling city-state oasis where nobody quite knows what the hell is going on? Please say more. This had such a strong sense of setting, the Cyberpunk 2077 inspiration is such a joy to read. I read this with Cyberpunk ambiance playing in the background- 10/10 recommend. I absolutely adored exploring this strange and sprawling city, Chee's stunning descriptions made it so vivid in my mind and something about it was so inexplicably lovely to me.
I also love these characters so much. They are so easy to root for, and to grow ridiculously fond of from the get-go. Even though not much time is dedicated to strictly exploring Frey and Alasar's backgrounds, their identities, personalties, and motivations shine through so clearly in the plot. They feel like real people (funny, considering Frey has literal wings growing out of her body) with genuine desires. So much of their characterization is explored through their relationships to the novel's side characters, who are also just as much fun to read about and add so much to the story. I am particularly partial to Sakoa, stressed out and exhausted father figure icon. Every plot point, down to seemingly innocuous items, is expertly interwoven and connected.
I thought this was incredibly paced, though I think part one is my favorite- there was just something so magical about discovering Starga and its mysteries. The entire novel, all the way through to the end, has a perfect blend of action and day-to-day happenings. This might sound crazy, but I genuinely got slice-of-life, cozy vibes from certain scenes. Which *is* crazy because this book is absolutely neither of those things, and yet that feeling lends a true sense of grounding to this otherwise otherworldly climactic plot. I also thoroughly enjoyed the writing style! As I said, the descriptions were rich and vivd, but the narration and dialogue are equally as engaging. Something that stands out to me is the clever way Chee coins names for every day things. Like hello I also want an ultra-sized extra-energy-booster ice garrabean cornmilk latte. Its so fun and only adds to this vibrant, confounding world.
I could read a hundred stories in this world, and I sincerely hope I get the chance to. This is such an expansive universe with the potential for so many stories, and I so desperately want more. I absolutely adored this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Everyone needs to read Megan Chee’s The Archaeology of Falling Worlds, an SF (science fantasy; speculative fiction) work brimming with moral dilemmas, characters with organic developments, and immersive, imaginative worldbuilding. Archaeology speaks to the ecological crises of our time, as well as our relationship with technology—in the vein of critical posthumanism, I might add, our entanglements with the more-than-human Others and the environment. Chee said Cyberpunk 2077 with Studio Ghibli vibes and delivered exactly that. I can even see this novel adapted as a comic or anime. Even before I got to the end, I already want a physical copy of Archaeology (and its sequel!) to annotate on. I might even add that if you like Shadowverse (think “Invasion of the Worldreaver” arc) and Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun, it is highly likely that you will enjoy Archaeology.
Chee is a master at pacing; she artfully slows down and ramps up the narrative to amplify and relieve tension (and hence suspense and other affects). Central to the changing tensions are Frey, a winged human whose care and curiosity for artefacts paint a target on her back, Alasar, a clone grappling with identity, familial legacy, and trust in the people in power, and Silver, a shape-shifter who seeks to fulfil a wild promise and duty. All three of them have great chemistry and different dynamics with each other. The other characters are just as compelling; Izir, specifically, reminds me of Ross Lockhart from Don DeLillo’s Zero K, someone you might dislike, or even loathe, but also understand to some extent. The various worlds are also inventive and contrast/complement each other well to offer new dimensions of living and caring.
As someone who enjoys SF, I am thrilled that many Singaporean authors, including Chee, are writing SF. Reading Archaeology in the backdrop of recent events, though, makes it a heavier read than expected. The discourse around our islands and marine life, the whole debate on our forests and (endangered) wildlife, conversations around the place of AI all weigh on my mind. Throughout the novel, I am also continually reminded of Donna Haraway’s statement: “we are compost, not posthuman”. All this is to say that readers from all around the world may thoroughly enjoy Megan Chee’s The Archaeology of Falling Worlds, may close the book feeling and thinking deeply about various interconnected affairs, and may want to read Chee’s other works and keep their eyes peeled on any future works from her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Chee is a master at pacing; she artfully slows down and ramps up the narrative to amplify and relieve tension (and hence suspense and other affects). Central to the changing tensions are Frey, a winged human whose care and curiosity for artefacts paint a target on her back, Alasar, a clone grappling with identity, familial legacy, and trust in the people in power, and Silver, a shape-shifter who seeks to fulfil a wild promise and duty. All three of them have great chemistry and different dynamics with each other. The other characters are just as compelling; Izir, specifically, reminds me of Ross Lockhart from Don DeLillo’s Zero K, someone you might dislike, or even loathe, but also understand to some extent. The various worlds are also inventive and contrast/complement each other well to offer new dimensions of living and caring.
As someone who enjoys SF, I am thrilled that many Singaporean authors, including Chee, are writing SF. Reading Archaeology in the backdrop of recent events, though, makes it a heavier read than expected. The discourse around our islands and marine life, the whole debate on our forests and (endangered) wildlife, conversations around the place of AI all weigh on my mind. Throughout the novel, I am also continually reminded of Donna Haraway’s statement: “we are compost, not posthuman”. All this is to say that readers from all around the world may thoroughly enjoy Megan Chee’s The Archaeology of Falling Worlds, may close the book feeling and thinking deeply about various interconnected affairs, and may want to read Chee’s other works and keep their eyes peeled on any future works from her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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October 5, 2026Thank you NetGally and Bindery Books for the ARC!
This book started out very interesting. The concept of basically being a dumpster for all those seemingly otherworldly artifacts was very unique. A colorful, mush of all sci-fi and fantasy books in one. The world building of Starga was genuinely one of the most interesting concepts I’ve read this year. I also thought the characters started out quite well rounded. The language was easy to follow and I flew through the book.
This whole story had something Ghibli like. And the set up for this story made me excited to continue reading. I was certain this was going to be a four stars read for me.
Until the second half of the book.
There was a fantastic set up for storyline about the fear of death and the passing of time. A gentle sort of story. About potential redemption. Something we don’t often get to see in movies and books that are as action pact as this one. I can’t go in detail, of course because I want to keep it spoiler free. However, for me, the ‘villain’ of the story was rather basic. Which was a shame because the puzzle pieces were all there. And I was praying that it would go into the direction I had hoped for. Unfortunately, this was not the case. And from then on the whole story lost its originality for me.
The characters started acting out of character as well. Frey became so infuriatingly illogical that I almost did not finish this book. Some of her outbursts just didn’t make sense and almost felt cartoonish. There was also a whole chapter that just didn’t fit the severity of the situation.
Alasar also kind of missed the mark. I understood what the author was getting but his character development was more so told than shown. In the end he never changed much even though the story suggested that he had.
Eventually the resolve involved a lot of Deus ex Machina. Tech and lore that had not been discussed before was used and solutions that had not been announced were suddenly available. This annoyed me.
It was also overly sentimental for me at times. Repeated phrases that made it clear that the story wanted us to get teary, missing the mark entirely for that reason. I want to make my own assumptions and feel my own emotions during scenes. Being overly sentimental with your storyline has the opposite effect on me.
It is not to say that no one would like this story. Others may connect more with the characters than I did. And the atmosphere is so good that it sucks you in right away. So, give it a try anyway.
This book started out very interesting. The concept of basically being a dumpster for all those seemingly otherworldly artifacts was very unique. A colorful, mush of all sci-fi and fantasy books in one. The world building of Starga was genuinely one of the most interesting concepts I’ve read this year. I also thought the characters started out quite well rounded. The language was easy to follow and I flew through the book.
This whole story had something Ghibli like. And the set up for this story made me excited to continue reading. I was certain this was going to be a four stars read for me.
Until the second half of the book.
There was a fantastic set up for storyline about the fear of death and the passing of time. A gentle sort of story. About potential redemption. Something we don’t often get to see in movies and books that are as action pact as this one. I can’t go in detail, of course because I want to keep it spoiler free. However, for me, the ‘villain’ of the story was rather basic. Which was a shame because the puzzle pieces were all there. And I was praying that it would go into the direction I had hoped for. Unfortunately, this was not the case. And from then on the whole story lost its originality for me.
The characters started acting out of character as well. Frey became so infuriatingly illogical that I almost did not finish this book. Some of her outbursts just didn’t make sense and almost felt cartoonish. There was also a whole chapter that just didn’t fit the severity of the situation.
Alasar also kind of missed the mark. I understood what the author was getting but his character development was more so told than shown. In the end he never changed much even though the story suggested that he had.
Eventually the resolve involved a lot of Deus ex Machina. Tech and lore that had not been discussed before was used and solutions that had not been announced were suddenly available. This annoyed me.
It was also overly sentimental for me at times. Repeated phrases that made it clear that the story wanted us to get teary, missing the mark entirely for that reason. I want to make my own assumptions and feel my own emotions during scenes. Being overly sentimental with your storyline has the opposite effect on me.
It is not to say that no one would like this story. Others may connect more with the characters than I did. And the atmosphere is so good that it sucks you in right away. So, give it a try anyway.
September 13, 2026
Starga is a city in a desert wasteland built of artefacts that fall from the sky. Freya wants to come up with new inventions using these artefacts and earn enough to leave her boring office job and live in a better neighborhood. When the gang she used to work for recruits her for one last job, she has no choice but to accept and hope it will be the catalyst for a better life.
Alasar is an archealogist and part of the upper class of Starga. He is a clone made by his father for the purpose ensuring their bloodline continues. After his projects are deemed unworthy, he rides into the wasteland for a last-ditch scavenging attempt, and is kidnapped by the very gang Frey is working for. Together, they are forced to fix a massive weapon, but instead they escape with a strange creature recently fallen from the sky.
This sentient being, a shape-shifter they call Silver, holds knowledge they can never have imagined and changes the shape of their lives forever. With a existential threat looming, together they must decide the fate of Starga.
The writing is engaging and inviting and brings you through the world with ease. The world is spontaneous and creative, with giant flying manta rays and mushrooms homes. The pacing fluctuates, flowing from reflective conversations between Alasar and Frey, life-threatening challenges they have to overcome, and cozy moments of staying up to watch movies and quirky amusement parks. Frey and Alasar travel through various places in Starga, to other worlds, spaces in between, and the cosmos itself.
The characters are trying to find themselves in a difficult world with few options; Frey is caring, accomplished, and ever-ambitious. She always seek better for herself, wants to understand the mysteries of their world, and wishes for something beyond. She is also an intelligent inventor and whipsmart hacker who know the loophole to every rule. She never backs down from her principles and wants the world to be a better place. Through the story, she finds she has an unusual bond with Silver that will lead her down an unexpected path. Alasar wants to please his father and always places his full trust in authority, but this breaks down through the course of the story. Alasar struggles to decide when to stop trusting, when to break the rules, and where he stands.
The ending could not have been imagined from the beginning and leaves the reader both satisfied and wanting more.
Alasar is an archealogist and part of the upper class of Starga. He is a clone made by his father for the purpose ensuring their bloodline continues. After his projects are deemed unworthy, he rides into the wasteland for a last-ditch scavenging attempt, and is kidnapped by the very gang Frey is working for. Together, they are forced to fix a massive weapon, but instead they escape with a strange creature recently fallen from the sky.
This sentient being, a shape-shifter they call Silver, holds knowledge they can never have imagined and changes the shape of their lives forever. With a existential threat looming, together they must decide the fate of Starga.
The writing is engaging and inviting and brings you through the world with ease. The world is spontaneous and creative, with giant flying manta rays and mushrooms homes. The pacing fluctuates, flowing from reflective conversations between Alasar and Frey, life-threatening challenges they have to overcome, and cozy moments of staying up to watch movies and quirky amusement parks. Frey and Alasar travel through various places in Starga, to other worlds, spaces in between, and the cosmos itself.
The characters are trying to find themselves in a difficult world with few options; Frey is caring, accomplished, and ever-ambitious. She always seek better for herself, wants to understand the mysteries of their world, and wishes for something beyond. She is also an intelligent inventor and whipsmart hacker who know the loophole to every rule. She never backs down from her principles and wants the world to be a better place. Through the story, she finds she has an unusual bond with Silver that will lead her down an unexpected path. Alasar wants to please his father and always places his full trust in authority, but this breaks down through the course of the story. Alasar struggles to decide when to stop trusting, when to break the rules, and where he stands.
The ending could not have been imagined from the beginning and leaves the reader both satisfied and wanting more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds had a very interesting concept. A world where artefacts and people from different planets fall into one city makes for a very fun setting, with a plethora of magic systems and scientific discoveries. The characters are also very likeable. Alasar in a lot of ways reminded me of Owen from The Everlasting, which is a huge compliment coming from me, and Frey has that strong, "badass" personality without it coming off corny or cringe. The supporting cast was just as enjoyable, Sokoa being the standout.
Unfortunately, it falls into the same trap many recent debuts do. It is incredibly overwritten, with a lot of flowery prose, awkward phrasing and lots of telling but no showing. And while it works sometimes, the way the worlds themselves are described is very immersive, it makes for a frustrating read overall. The themes discussed are also explored at a very surface level and it can be a bit too on the nose.
The second half falls particularly flat. As the scope and stakes expand, a lot of threads introduced early on are dropped (like you would expect at least one scene with Kiana) and the relationships suffer for it. And I don't necessarily mean romantic ones, since romance was almost nonexistent. But I would have loved to see more of Frey and Liska's complicated friendship or the fucked up parent-child dynamics of Izir and Alasar (this did almost go somewhere interesting but, again, was brushed past fairly quickly).
It definitely had potential, and I did have fun reading it for the most part, but it needed more editing. Still, a decent debut; wishing the author the best.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is a fun and wonder-invoking book with the visuals and vibes of a Ghibili anime set in a Cyberpunk world. Actually, this would be a great anime--somebody please turn this into an anime!
It takes place in a city called Starga which is a sort of inter-dimensional refuge for people (and artifacts) from across the universe who fall out of the sky with no memories. The story follows two "archaeologists" from completely different sides of Starga who study the artifacts that fall into Starga during its regular "debrisfall" as they discover a mysterious and dangerous but cute Ghibli-esque shapeshifting black ball-like creature and get pulled into an adventure involving the mysterious origins of their world.
This premise is the perfect set-up for Megan Chee to display her masterful worldbuilding skill. Starga is home to countless fascinating peoples, creatures and cultures, from a giant priestess that whispers prayers from worshipers to the sky, to snail doctors, tentacled medical bots and a sentient playground. Every chapter is filled with the kind of lush worldbuilding that readers of Chee's short fiction will find very familiar.
The story's two protagonists, meanwhile, are smart and likeable but still fallible characters that struggle with mistakes and choices that make them feel very relatable in a way I didn't expect for this type of science-fantasy story. They struggle navigating government/corporate bureaucracies and finding meaning in their work in such authentic ways that I'm sure Chee must be channeling from her own experience. They make mistakes on who to trust--both peoples and institutions--and grapple in the third act with making a world-changing decision that seemed obvious to me at first, but that Megan deftly explores the nuances of.
In short I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book!
It takes place in a city called Starga which is a sort of inter-dimensional refuge for people (and artifacts) from across the universe who fall out of the sky with no memories. The story follows two "archaeologists" from completely different sides of Starga who study the artifacts that fall into Starga during its regular "debrisfall" as they discover a mysterious and dangerous but cute Ghibli-esque shapeshifting black ball-like creature and get pulled into an adventure involving the mysterious origins of their world.
This premise is the perfect set-up for Megan Chee to display her masterful worldbuilding skill. Starga is home to countless fascinating peoples, creatures and cultures, from a giant priestess that whispers prayers from worshipers to the sky, to snail doctors, tentacled medical bots and a sentient playground. Every chapter is filled with the kind of lush worldbuilding that readers of Chee's short fiction will find very familiar.
The story's two protagonists, meanwhile, are smart and likeable but still fallible characters that struggle with mistakes and choices that make them feel very relatable in a way I didn't expect for this type of science-fantasy story. They struggle navigating government/corporate bureaucracies and finding meaning in their work in such authentic ways that I'm sure Chee must be channeling from her own experience. They make mistakes on who to trust--both peoples and institutions--and grapple in the third act with making a world-changing decision that seemed obvious to me at first, but that Megan deftly explores the nuances of.
In short I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book!
September 1, 2026
Thank you to Bindery Books for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds was such a fun and imaginative read. I went into this knowing very little about it, but the combination of science fiction, fantasy, and a completely bizarre yet fascinating world immediately pulled me in. Starga is easily one of my favorite parts of the book. There is so much creativity packed into this world, from the different creatures and cultures to the strange things that fall from the sky, and I loved discovering all of it alongside the characters.
The characters were another highlight for me. Frey, Alasar, and Silver make for such an unexpected group, and I really enjoyed watching their dynamic develop throughout the story. Silver in particular was such a fun addition—I mean, a mysterious shape-shifting worm falling from the sky? How could I not be invested? 😂 I also appreciated how the characters’ personal struggles connected to the bigger questions the story was exploring.
I especially loved how whimsical the book could feel while still dealing with heavier themes like class, inequality, belonging, migration, and what makes a place worth saving. The contrast between the colorful, almost magical world and some of the darker realities underneath it worked really well for me. It gave the story much more depth than I initially expected.
That said, the pacing and expanding scope of the story didn’t always work perfectly for me. There were moments where I felt like I was still trying to find my footing as the world became bigger and the story moved in new directions. I also found myself wanting a little more time with certain character relationships, especially toward the end.
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds was such a fun and imaginative read. I went into this knowing very little about it, but the combination of science fiction, fantasy, and a completely bizarre yet fascinating world immediately pulled me in. Starga is easily one of my favorite parts of the book. There is so much creativity packed into this world, from the different creatures and cultures to the strange things that fall from the sky, and I loved discovering all of it alongside the characters.
The characters were another highlight for me. Frey, Alasar, and Silver make for such an unexpected group, and I really enjoyed watching their dynamic develop throughout the story. Silver in particular was such a fun addition—I mean, a mysterious shape-shifting worm falling from the sky? How could I not be invested? 😂 I also appreciated how the characters’ personal struggles connected to the bigger questions the story was exploring.
I especially loved how whimsical the book could feel while still dealing with heavier themes like class, inequality, belonging, migration, and what makes a place worth saving. The contrast between the colorful, almost magical world and some of the darker realities underneath it worked really well for me. It gave the story much more depth than I initially expected.
That said, the pacing and expanding scope of the story didn’t always work perfectly for me. There were moments where I felt like I was still trying to find my footing as the world became bigger and the story moved in new directions. I also found myself wanting a little more time with certain character relationships, especially toward the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of my favorite things about The Archaeology of Falling Worlds was the worldbuilding! Starga is such a fascinating setting, a city where debris constantly falls from the sky, bringing with it artifacts and beings from across the universe. Nobody really knows why it happens, but people have learned to adapt, even carrying metal umbrellas to protect themselves from the falling debris. It’s such a small detail, but it really captures how strange and wonderfully lived-in this world feels.
I also loved the contrast between Frey and Alasar, who both work with the remnants of fallen worlds but approach them from very different perspectives. Frey comes from a life of scavenging and surviving on the margins, while Alasar is more accustomed to the corporate side of archaeology. Their dynamic, along with the mystery surrounding Silver, was one my favorites.
Megan Chee has a real talent for balancing the mundane with the fantastical. The struggles of dead-end jobs, financial pressures, and trying to make a better life for yourself exist alongside aliens, magic, and artifacts falling out of the sky into a city filled with creatures from across the multiverse. Everything can feel whimsical and beautiful on the surface, but there’s something much darker lurking underneath.
The main characters were immediately compelling and likable, and I especially loved our introduction to Silver, the strange little shape-shifting worm. I genuinely wanted to spend more time exploring this world and learning about its mysteries.
Although the story stands on its own, I would happily read more set in this universe. I finished this book wanting more of Starga, and its inhabitants!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I also loved the contrast between Frey and Alasar, who both work with the remnants of fallen worlds but approach them from very different perspectives. Frey comes from a life of scavenging and surviving on the margins, while Alasar is more accustomed to the corporate side of archaeology. Their dynamic, along with the mystery surrounding Silver, was one my favorites.
Megan Chee has a real talent for balancing the mundane with the fantastical. The struggles of dead-end jobs, financial pressures, and trying to make a better life for yourself exist alongside aliens, magic, and artifacts falling out of the sky into a city filled with creatures from across the multiverse. Everything can feel whimsical and beautiful on the surface, but there’s something much darker lurking underneath.
The main characters were immediately compelling and likable, and I especially loved our introduction to Silver, the strange little shape-shifting worm. I genuinely wanted to spend more time exploring this world and learning about its mysteries.
Although the story stands on its own, I would happily read more set in this universe. I finished this book wanting more of Starga, and its inhabitants!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley, Bindery Books, and Skies Press for the ARC!
I've now read both books published by Skies Press and my god is she good at finding books! The Archaeology of Falling Worlds was such a fascinating read. Megen Chee obviously had so much fun with the worldbuilding and adding random stuff just for the hell of it. If you can think of it, it's probably in Starga. I'm a very go-with-the-flow type of person so this style of worldbuilding is my bread and butter. Like, yeah man. Why not?
Outside of the worldbuilding, the characters were very good. Alasar was a particular favorite of mine (he was very relatable). I love characters with complicated relationships with their parents. His need to appease his father while doing good work that was deemed "not good enough" was a compelling aspect of his character that I wish we got a bit more of. It went rather flat with that at some point once the plot picked up but I would've liked to see more of what Alasar actually did at his job. It very quickly became a classic push and pull between him and his father. Also, his friendship with Sokoa was very sweet and I love them.
Frey was a great character but I don't have much else to say about her. I liked her a lot and that's about all.
The only other negative I could say is that the 40-60% middle bit was a little jarring and kind of took me out of the story. Not by much but enough for the rest of the book to feel like I couldn't quite settle completely into the story again. Again, not too big of a deal but up until that point I believed this might've been a five stars...
Every other aspect of this book was phenomenal. I had an absolute blast and I am so excited to see what else this author puts out!
I've now read both books published by Skies Press and my god is she good at finding books! The Archaeology of Falling Worlds was such a fascinating read. Megen Chee obviously had so much fun with the worldbuilding and adding random stuff just for the hell of it. If you can think of it, it's probably in Starga. I'm a very go-with-the-flow type of person so this style of worldbuilding is my bread and butter. Like, yeah man. Why not?
Outside of the worldbuilding, the characters were very good. Alasar was a particular favorite of mine (he was very relatable). I love characters with complicated relationships with their parents. His need to appease his father while doing good work that was deemed "not good enough" was a compelling aspect of his character that I wish we got a bit more of. It went rather flat with that at some point once the plot picked up but I would've liked to see more of what Alasar actually did at his job. It very quickly became a classic push and pull between him and his father. Also, his friendship with Sokoa was very sweet and I love them.
Frey was a great character but I don't have much else to say about her. I liked her a lot and that's about all.
The only other negative I could say is that the 40-60% middle bit was a little jarring and kind of took me out of the story. Not by much but enough for the rest of the book to feel like I couldn't quite settle completely into the story again. Again, not too big of a deal but up until that point I believed this might've been a five stars...
Every other aspect of this book was phenomenal. I had an absolute blast and I am so excited to see what else this author puts out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC received from NetGalley
coming out in February 2027, this book should definitely be on your releases radar.
I think this was my first ever cyberpunk novel, and I can say I did love it. the overall stakes here are high, but this book somehow gave me a cozy vibe as well. it was fun and wholesome at times, and I was enraptured by the plot from the beginning.
people and random objects fall from the sky in Starga, so while life is interesting because of the multitude of cultures, it is also quite dangerous. everyone is curious about how Starga came to be, but no one has a reasonable theory yet. enter our main characters: Frey, born in the Lower Districts and aspiring to be a renowned archaeologist; Alasar, an actual archaeologist working at the most prestigious institution in Starga, and Silver, a cute(ish) blob that falls from the sky. they discover more than they bargained for, and then the fate of not only their world, but of the whole universe, rests on their shoulders.
I loved the characters so much in this book, and what I appreciated most was that even if they did something silly, there was reasoning behind it. this doesn’t mean I didn’t scream at my Kindle multiple times. I did, but I also felt like enveloping all three of them in a hug and protecting them forever.
the pacing was good too, as things happen constantly. and don’t be fooled by its cozy vibes, there are some graphic fighting scenes here and there.
all in all, this had everything I wanted from it in terms of content, but I would have liked if it was longer so that we could have explored each culture in more details. maybe a sequel? 👀
I would recommend this especially if you want a palate-cleanser, or a super-quick, fun, sci-fi novel.
coming out in February 2027, this book should definitely be on your releases radar.
I think this was my first ever cyberpunk novel, and I can say I did love it. the overall stakes here are high, but this book somehow gave me a cozy vibe as well. it was fun and wholesome at times, and I was enraptured by the plot from the beginning.
people and random objects fall from the sky in Starga, so while life is interesting because of the multitude of cultures, it is also quite dangerous. everyone is curious about how Starga came to be, but no one has a reasonable theory yet. enter our main characters: Frey, born in the Lower Districts and aspiring to be a renowned archaeologist; Alasar, an actual archaeologist working at the most prestigious institution in Starga, and Silver, a cute(ish) blob that falls from the sky. they discover more than they bargained for, and then the fate of not only their world, but of the whole universe, rests on their shoulders.
I loved the characters so much in this book, and what I appreciated most was that even if they did something silly, there was reasoning behind it. this doesn’t mean I didn’t scream at my Kindle multiple times. I did, but I also felt like enveloping all three of them in a hug and protecting them forever.
the pacing was good too, as things happen constantly. and don’t be fooled by its cozy vibes, there are some graphic fighting scenes here and there.
all in all, this had everything I wanted from it in terms of content, but I would have liked if it was longer so that we could have explored each culture in more details. maybe a sequel? 👀
I would recommend this especially if you want a palate-cleanser, or a super-quick, fun, sci-fi novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is unique to mold the whimsies of archaeology and sci-fi together.
Fallen objects and people from unknown worlds. No way of contextualizing the artifacts into their relevant society and culture. Oh but the people who fall? Memories wiped. Almost like people are artifacts too. You can’t ask them questions. Everything is up to interpretation. At least in OUR world, we have SOME way of identifying things.
This was the only part of the book that excited me the most. This had some “Gachiakuta” vibes and I was DIGGING IT!
Alasar slowly become my favorite character. Then Silver! Adorable and vicious!
The second half of the book was surprisingly different. The characters morphed into people I couldn’t recognize anymore. The motivation and energy they had in the beginning slowly dwindled into nothing. Where was the Frey who had a knack for creating new and purposeful things? What happened to the enthusiasm Alasar had about his profession? What was the point of all the struggles and dangers they had already faced?
I found it hard to conceptualize the class inequality in Starga as it was only referenced through dialogue between Frey and Alasar. I didn’t SEE it, I didn’t EXPERIENCE it. Because of this, the story felt flat and empty. Not much of archaeology was mentioned again during the last parts of the book. Perhaps I was expecting too much of this, but the beginning SURELY did fulfill me for a while.
A cyberpunk sci-fi epic, yes and no.
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is unique to mold the whimsies of archaeology and sci-fi together.
Fallen objects and people from unknown worlds. No way of contextualizing the artifacts into their relevant society and culture. Oh but the people who fall? Memories wiped. Almost like people are artifacts too. You can’t ask them questions. Everything is up to interpretation. At least in OUR world, we have SOME way of identifying things.
This was the only part of the book that excited me the most. This had some “Gachiakuta” vibes and I was DIGGING IT!
Alasar slowly become my favorite character. Then Silver! Adorable and vicious!
The second half of the book was surprisingly different. The characters morphed into people I couldn’t recognize anymore. The motivation and energy they had in the beginning slowly dwindled into nothing. Where was the Frey who had a knack for creating new and purposeful things? What happened to the enthusiasm Alasar had about his profession? What was the point of all the struggles and dangers they had already faced?
I found it hard to conceptualize the class inequality in Starga as it was only referenced through dialogue between Frey and Alasar. I didn’t SEE it, I didn’t EXPERIENCE it. Because of this, the story felt flat and empty. Not much of archaeology was mentioned again during the last parts of the book. Perhaps I was expecting too much of this, but the beginning SURELY did fulfill me for a while.
A cyberpunk sci-fi epic, yes and no.
October 4, 2026
I really enjoyed the world building and development of lore through this story. A world constantly experiencing debris fall from other planets, constantly receiving new species, new people, new technology, new ideas, isolated yet connected to all these places through their material culture and their people. I liked the use of tech throughout, from forms of communication to hovercrafts and little mechanical loopholes to every rule. The political corruption was well shaped, apparent from one perspective from a lived experience of neglect, but obscured to the other, raised in luxury and kept ignorant. The two MCs very different lives lead to conflicts, to completely different ideas and approaches to the situations they find themselves in. However, they are both hugely indecisive and stubborn... Resulting in the entire climax, the final boss, the big reveal and separation being crammed into the last 30 pages of this book.
There was a lot of action in the build up to their final decisions, from their dramatic meeting to being told the realities of the universe to experiencing it themselves, to finally being given essentially no choice as desolation approaches... The two rarely make wise decisions, barely communicate and never listen. The ending feels unsatisfactory, with one going forward to real adventure, finally past their previously crippling cowardice, the other essentially sliding away under the radar, their achievement appears to have gone unnoticed and the threat is not obviously removed...
I enjoyed the world building more than the general plot and characters.
There was a lot of action in the build up to their final decisions, from their dramatic meeting to being told the realities of the universe to experiencing it themselves, to finally being given essentially no choice as desolation approaches... The two rarely make wise decisions, barely communicate and never listen. The ending feels unsatisfactory, with one going forward to real adventure, finally past their previously crippling cowardice, the other essentially sliding away under the radar, their achievement appears to have gone unnoticed and the threat is not obviously removed...
I enjoyed the world building more than the general plot and characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the e-ARC!
What a ride and what an experience to be in Starga. This book came to me at just the right time. During the most hectic stretches of my life, The Archaeology of Falling Worlds by Megan Chee was exactly the kind of escape I needed. In all honesty, this isn’t my usual kind of book. I have always been much more of a character-driven reader, but occasionally, a plot-driven book with insane worldbuilding is what my brain craves. It’s much like watching my favourite John Wick movies, where I can just simply sit back and enjoy the ride.
Pitched as a cyberpunk sci-fi epic where Cyberpunk 2077 meets Spirited Away, I see the comparisons, but don’t let them fool you. This book is very much one of a kind. It was very refreshing to read about a world that is not even remotely something I can immediately draw relations to. People and things falling from the sky; a whole society and culture built off that. How cool.
While Silver is my favourite character (I have a soft spot for sentient creatures heh), Frey is the character that I would continue to root for endlessly. Her grit and resilience make it so easy to want her to succeed. I’m curious about how she would grow in the next book; who she would be considering all the events that happened in this one.
What stayed with me the most was that one quiet moment we got in the book. Our characters finally had a moment to stop what they were doing and sit with the weight of everything that had happened so far. It was by far the most human part of the book, and I look forward to seeing more of such moments in book 2.
Since this is the first book in a duology, I’m hoping the next one slows down to explore Starga’s politics, lets the consequences land more impactfully, and gives these characters room to grow now that the world is established.
I’d recommend this to readers who love imaginative worldbuilding and fast-paced adventure. I truly can’t imagine where the story goes next, and I’m so interested to find out.
What a ride and what an experience to be in Starga. This book came to me at just the right time. During the most hectic stretches of my life, The Archaeology of Falling Worlds by Megan Chee was exactly the kind of escape I needed. In all honesty, this isn’t my usual kind of book. I have always been much more of a character-driven reader, but occasionally, a plot-driven book with insane worldbuilding is what my brain craves. It’s much like watching my favourite John Wick movies, where I can just simply sit back and enjoy the ride.
Pitched as a cyberpunk sci-fi epic where Cyberpunk 2077 meets Spirited Away, I see the comparisons, but don’t let them fool you. This book is very much one of a kind. It was very refreshing to read about a world that is not even remotely something I can immediately draw relations to. People and things falling from the sky; a whole society and culture built off that. How cool.
While Silver is my favourite character (I have a soft spot for sentient creatures heh), Frey is the character that I would continue to root for endlessly. Her grit and resilience make it so easy to want her to succeed. I’m curious about how she would grow in the next book; who she would be considering all the events that happened in this one.
What stayed with me the most was that one quiet moment we got in the book. Our characters finally had a moment to stop what they were doing and sit with the weight of everything that had happened so far. It was by far the most human part of the book, and I look forward to seeing more of such moments in book 2.
Since this is the first book in a duology, I’m hoping the next one slows down to explore Starga’s politics, lets the consequences land more impactfully, and gives these characters room to grow now that the world is established.
I’d recommend this to readers who love imaginative worldbuilding and fast-paced adventure. I truly can’t imagine where the story goes next, and I’m so interested to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds follows aliens Frey and Alasar as they discover a sentient blob that unravels the secrets of their universe.
This book was a super cute and cozy sci-fi read. I loved the worldbuilding and thr character development was remarkably charming. Despite being otherworldly beings, I resonated deeply with Frey and Alasar—their relationship was a breath of fresh air. Silver was also beloved.
While the plot dragged a bit from 60-80%, the stakes and the inner turmoil the chatacters grapple with kept me intrigued. I felt really invested in the mystery of Starga in the beginning and curious how everything would resolve in the end. I really appreciated the lore in this universe, particularly the magical vs scientific worlds. What a neat concept!
Though not as deep as other series I've read, it felt very fleshed out, digestible and intentional despite being a tall order. It is impressive for the author to have built this world up thoroughly in only 400-odd pages.
This was a super fun read that i would definitely recommend for all types of readers. I think there's something for everyone in this book, and that's what makes it a success.
4/5 stars.
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds follows aliens Frey and Alasar as they discover a sentient blob that unravels the secrets of their universe.
This book was a super cute and cozy sci-fi read. I loved the worldbuilding and thr character development was remarkably charming. Despite being otherworldly beings, I resonated deeply with Frey and Alasar—their relationship was a breath of fresh air. Silver was also beloved.
While the plot dragged a bit from 60-80%, the stakes and the inner turmoil the chatacters grapple with kept me intrigued. I felt really invested in the mystery of Starga in the beginning and curious how everything would resolve in the end. I really appreciated the lore in this universe, particularly the magical vs scientific worlds. What a neat concept!
Though not as deep as other series I've read, it felt very fleshed out, digestible and intentional despite being a tall order. It is impressive for the author to have built this world up thoroughly in only 400-odd pages.
This was a super fun read that i would definitely recommend for all types of readers. I think there's something for everyone in this book, and that's what makes it a success.
4/5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At first I was a bit intimidated to start reading this book since it's not my usual genre, but I'm so glad I did.
I completely fell in love with the world and the people living in it.
I haven't felt this immersed in a fictional world and attached to fictional characters in so long.
The worldbuilding was remarkable. It sucked me into Starga and left me there, obsessed, like I was watching a movie in my head.
Frey and Alasar, despite their differences, were both relatable in some way, and I was rooting for them both the whole time. And of course, Silver. Well, I just found him so adorable. For some reason, I kept imagining him as a cat.
I do think that it became a bit slower towards the end and there were times where I couldn't feel the action, stakes, and the characters' motivations, that I was feeling in the first half. I also was waiting for some things or characters that were introduced to have more involvement in the story.
Nonetheless, it did not stop me from enjoying this journey.
I still absolutely loved getting to know, and explore the colorful and fascinating world of Starga.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I completely fell in love with the world and the people living in it.
I haven't felt this immersed in a fictional world and attached to fictional characters in so long.
The worldbuilding was remarkable. It sucked me into Starga and left me there, obsessed, like I was watching a movie in my head.
Frey and Alasar, despite their differences, were both relatable in some way, and I was rooting for them both the whole time. And of course, Silver. Well, I just found him so adorable. For some reason, I kept imagining him as a cat.
I do think that it became a bit slower towards the end and there were times where I couldn't feel the action, stakes, and the characters' motivations, that I was feeling in the first half. I also was waiting for some things or characters that were introduced to have more involvement in the story.
Nonetheless, it did not stop me from enjoying this journey.
I still absolutely loved getting to know, and explore the colorful and fascinating world of Starga.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"What was the point of being alive, if not for wonders like this?"
Frey and Alasar are two archaeologists who study debrisfall on Stagra, the mysterious items (and people!) which fall from other worlds into their sky.
While they couldn't be from more different backgrounds if they tried, they both stumble onto the same mystery: a man-eating "worm", who might herald the end of the multiverse.
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds was SUCH a fun read!! I really cannot describe how much I love the concept of the multiverse and I thought Megan Chee did such a phenomenal job of showing all the different worlds and the mishmash of cultures on Starga.
I don't want to spoil the plot because I really do think the less you know, the more you'll enjoy it! But it was so funny and so moving, and I genuinely think I'll be thinking about Frey and Alasar for a long time 🫶
(And Silver. He might be my not-so-secret favourite.)
The concept is just fantastic and written beautifully and I just kept staring at the cover too because ugh, STUNNINGGGG
I will be ordering a physical copy for myself expeditiously 🫡
A huge thank you as always to the author and Bindery for the e-arc, I've absolutely adored every one of your books so far!
Frey and Alasar are two archaeologists who study debrisfall on Stagra, the mysterious items (and people!) which fall from other worlds into their sky.
While they couldn't be from more different backgrounds if they tried, they both stumble onto the same mystery: a man-eating "worm", who might herald the end of the multiverse.
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds was SUCH a fun read!! I really cannot describe how much I love the concept of the multiverse and I thought Megan Chee did such a phenomenal job of showing all the different worlds and the mishmash of cultures on Starga.
I don't want to spoil the plot because I really do think the less you know, the more you'll enjoy it! But it was so funny and so moving, and I genuinely think I'll be thinking about Frey and Alasar for a long time 🫶
(And Silver. He might be my not-so-secret favourite.)
The concept is just fantastic and written beautifully and I just kept staring at the cover too because ugh, STUNNINGGGG
I will be ordering a physical copy for myself expeditiously 🫡
A huge thank you as always to the author and Bindery for the e-arc, I've absolutely adored every one of your books so far!
October 28, 2026
I started this book when I needed a change of genre and I had high expectations, just based on the description. It did not disappoint. I loved it.
Frey and Alasar couldn’t be more different. Frey was a ward of the state as a child and worked for a gang for some time. Even though she has a legitimate job, she also finds artifacts and invents things and sells them. Not always the most legal.
Alasar is not technically a clone, but was created to carrry on the legacy of his people.
Silver is a shape shifting worm, that fell to the planet Starga, and was discovered by Frey and Alasar. As Silver’s memories return, the unlikely trio must decide if Starga is worth saving.
This book was so well written. The plot moved at a great pace and I just wanted to read more and more. I loved the three main characters but I also thought that supporting characters were believable. Some of the themes were pretty big- navigating belonging and fitting in; searching for meaning of life, but it tackled them beautifully. I want to say so much more but i don’t want to spoil it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Frey and Alasar couldn’t be more different. Frey was a ward of the state as a child and worked for a gang for some time. Even though she has a legitimate job, she also finds artifacts and invents things and sells them. Not always the most legal.
Alasar is not technically a clone, but was created to carrry on the legacy of his people.
Silver is a shape shifting worm, that fell to the planet Starga, and was discovered by Frey and Alasar. As Silver’s memories return, the unlikely trio must decide if Starga is worth saving.
This book was so well written. The plot moved at a great pace and I just wanted to read more and more. I loved the three main characters but I also thought that supporting characters were believable. Some of the themes were pretty big- navigating belonging and fitting in; searching for meaning of life, but it tackled them beautifully. I want to say so much more but i don’t want to spoil it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book and was intrigued by the promise of "Cyberpunk meets Studio Ghibli". The Cyberpunk aspect is there from the beginning and I really enjoyed imagining this dense and crowded futuristic city. The Ghibli part I would rather describe as "fairytale", which is not at all a bad thing. I think Studio Ghibli evokes very specific ideas and, at least for me, did not quite invoke that feeling. It did, in parts of the book, have this fairytale setting and feeling of wonder though!
This book included a lot of mysteries, adventure and dealing with insecurity. I would describe it as having medium stakes. There were a good few adventure packed sections, but I never really feared for the main characters' lives and there was also a lot of slower, sometimes almost cozy parts in between.
I enjoy settings that include very different species living together and I would have loved to have even more depth of this here (above the simple description).
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
This book included a lot of mysteries, adventure and dealing with insecurity. I would describe it as having medium stakes. There were a good few adventure packed sections, but I never really feared for the main characters' lives and there was also a lot of slower, sometimes almost cozy parts in between.
I enjoy settings that include very different species living together and I would have loved to have even more depth of this here (above the simple description).
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
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