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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.
360 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 23, 2027
About the author
Megan Chee
14 books30 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 - 21 of 21 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
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!
-----------------
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
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.
September 4, 2026
*4.5
I received this as an e-arc from NetGalley. Thank you to Bindery Books for the copy!
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is a character focused wistful sci-fi epic about capitalism, the banality of existence, and the end of the universe (literally). To me, this read like a mix of honkai star rail, with the narrative voice of a slice of life literary novel. Those tiny day to day human interactions, bureaucracies, and small quiet moments of introspection was what the novel truly grounded itself on, making a premise such a city at the end of the universe where people are falling out of the sky an easily approachable narrative for even the sci-fi shy or inexperienced. I think it would be a mistake to go into this novel expecting it to fall into a traditional sci-fi narrative arc, even if it clearly draws upon those action adventure tropes for plot. Even in it's grandest moments, it always returns to those small humanities. In this way, as well as the wistful dreaminess in the tone of the novel, I can totally understand the ghibili comparisons.
In the lead up to the half point, this book was slow, almost mundane but still otherworldly with various alien races, technologies, and of course the little void creature picked up by our protagonists. Chee immerses you in the goings on of Straga, of all the different characters that inhabit our protagonists world, the day to day of their lives, even if that day to day is rather dangerous. It is not that there is no action in the first half, there is plenty trust me, but rather that tonal shift towards an epic sci-fi plot doesn't occur until after the halfway mark. It is in this section we set up the questions that the book will eventually answer: "why are we here?" "what do we owe each other?" "what do we owe to our histories?" and "is there a purpose to existence?"
In the second half of this novel, we get a pretty strong tonal and plot shift into more traditional science fiction plot, epic worlds, and mysterious lands. I think it is here that the book may lose or gain people, but I would recommend to all to keep reading. This very action adventure section takes the book towards something darker and more philosophical, as the stakes continue to ramp up for our protagonists. In the grand scheme of the novel, it is a notable departure in tone and form both in-universe and for the reader that is reevaluates and sets the new foundations and rules for the story going forward.
The ending was perfectly done and well suited to the story that Chee had chosen to tell, but I still feel unsettled by it, even though I don't think it could've closed any other way. In the end I found my feelings echoing our protagonists, jittery, nervous, lost, but continuing on anyway.
If I did have a critique for this book it would be the writing in certain places. Chee's writing style is very character forward, somewhat melancholic yet hopeful, and would fit well into literary spaces. I think that was largely used to this book's advantage, though there were several moments in the prose where it could seem to help but over explain or summarize when added dialogue or even an expanded scene would do. It seemed as if the author had very specific imagery and analyses that she wanted to get across to the reader at all costs, even though I believe a less direct approach would have served just as fine. I had a couple moments reading these passages thinking that I wished the author would back off a tad and let me breathe. Again, she has a very literary writing style and I think this a trait that would lend itself well to a more understated narrative, but unnecessary in this one where the scenes she has set up already have such rich imagery alone.
I'm very glad to have picked this book up, and I'm very much looking forward to what Megan Chee will come out with next.
I received this as an e-arc from NetGalley. Thank you to Bindery Books for the copy!
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is a character focused wistful sci-fi epic about capitalism, the banality of existence, and the end of the universe (literally). To me, this read like a mix of honkai star rail, with the narrative voice of a slice of life literary novel. Those tiny day to day human interactions, bureaucracies, and small quiet moments of introspection was what the novel truly grounded itself on, making a premise such a city at the end of the universe where people are falling out of the sky an easily approachable narrative for even the sci-fi shy or inexperienced. I think it would be a mistake to go into this novel expecting it to fall into a traditional sci-fi narrative arc, even if it clearly draws upon those action adventure tropes for plot. Even in it's grandest moments, it always returns to those small humanities. In this way, as well as the wistful dreaminess in the tone of the novel, I can totally understand the ghibili comparisons.
In the lead up to the half point, this book was slow, almost mundane but still otherworldly with various alien races, technologies, and of course the little void creature picked up by our protagonists. Chee immerses you in the goings on of Straga, of all the different characters that inhabit our protagonists world, the day to day of their lives, even if that day to day is rather dangerous. It is not that there is no action in the first half, there is plenty trust me, but rather that tonal shift towards an epic sci-fi plot doesn't occur until after the halfway mark. It is in this section we set up the questions that the book will eventually answer: "why are we here?" "what do we owe each other?" "what do we owe to our histories?" and "is there a purpose to existence?"
In the second half of this novel, we get a pretty strong tonal and plot shift into more traditional science fiction plot, epic worlds, and mysterious lands. I think it is here that the book may lose or gain people, but I would recommend to all to keep reading. This very action adventure section takes the book towards something darker and more philosophical, as the stakes continue to ramp up for our protagonists. In the grand scheme of the novel, it is a notable departure in tone and form both in-universe and for the reader that is reevaluates and sets the new foundations and rules for the story going forward.
The ending was perfectly done and well suited to the story that Chee had chosen to tell, but I still feel unsettled by it, even though I don't think it could've closed any other way. In the end I found my feelings echoing our protagonists, jittery, nervous, lost, but continuing on anyway.
If I did have a critique for this book it would be the writing in certain places. Chee's writing style is very character forward, somewhat melancholic yet hopeful, and would fit well into literary spaces. I think that was largely used to this book's advantage, though there were several moments in the prose where it could seem to help but over explain or summarize when added dialogue or even an expanded scene would do. It seemed as if the author had very specific imagery and analyses that she wanted to get across to the reader at all costs, even though I believe a less direct approach would have served just as fine. I had a couple moments reading these passages thinking that I wished the author would back off a tad and let me breathe. Again, she has a very literary writing style and I think this a trait that would lend itself well to a more understated narrative, but unnecessary in this one where the scenes she has set up already have such rich imagery alone.
I'm very glad to have picked this book up, and I'm very much looking forward to what Megan Chee will come out with next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
︎4.75 stars˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
Thank you to Bindery Books for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In so many good ways, The Archeology of Falling Worlds also reminds me a bit of Gachiakuta, Arcane, and Honkai Star Rail, perfection all in one. Plainly said, I am the target audience for this book. I finished it the next day I got approved for it, and if that's not telling how interesting and engaging this book was, then I have no words left.
Downright from the start, we are seamlessly introduced to our main characters; Frey, a "corpo princess", Alasar "He was born for it" Kazei, and Silver, the "worm". Yes, void worm. The three of them made up a fun group dynamic to follow, but Alasar's character stood out to me the most. Without revealing too much, his whole ARC and personal struggles were one of my favourite parts of the book.
Chee effortlessly introduced social commentary through clever worldbuilding. Starga is yellow, violet, vibrant, full of many different alien species and are still divided by class. Many praises to Chee because the descriptions of Starga were so good that it took shape and came alive into my imaginations. You know how in Ready Player One, the player wears some kind of VR and enters the cyberpunk game? That's how I feel when reading this. Completely transported and immersed in the setting. I am fascinated with the desbrisfall; and how it became a part of culture/way of life in Starga, and the difference of debrisfall acceptance towards different societies there.
The book was marketed as Cyberpunk 77 meets Ghibli, and even though readers are not familiar with either of the two media, we'll still get a clear image of how Starga should be. Seriously, some of the creations like the makeup, the mushroom apartment, the playground were so creative. Everything was so whimsical (unless it's Upper Starga, and we're hit with so close to reality). It was worth mentioning that I'm not a big sci-fi reader, but Chee's world crafting did not alienate me as a newbie in this genre, which I appreciate very much. I could imagine this being adapted like Arcane or Spiderman: Into the Spider Verse level animation.
I enjoyed watching the conflict and camaraderie throughout it. There was never a dull moment in this book, and the storytelling was entertaining. The pacing doesn't feel slow, but wasn't rushed either. We get a perfect amount of time to be introduced with any storyline in the book. The ending broke me a little. I don't know if this is a planned series or standalone, but even if it's a standalone, then I think it's still a perfect ending. Overall, I would recommend this to Ghibli fans! The whimsical worldbuilding but deep messages layered inside resonated deeply with me, and I'm sure that so many readers will love it too!
P/S: Small thing, but as a Malaysian, I love the word usage of "kopi" instead of coffee.
Thank you to Bindery Books for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In so many good ways, The Archeology of Falling Worlds also reminds me a bit of Gachiakuta, Arcane, and Honkai Star Rail, perfection all in one. Plainly said, I am the target audience for this book. I finished it the next day I got approved for it, and if that's not telling how interesting and engaging this book was, then I have no words left.
Downright from the start, we are seamlessly introduced to our main characters; Frey, a "corpo princess", Alasar "He was born for it" Kazei, and Silver, the "worm". Yes, void worm. The three of them made up a fun group dynamic to follow, but Alasar's character stood out to me the most. Without revealing too much, his whole ARC and personal struggles were one of my favourite parts of the book.
Chee effortlessly introduced social commentary through clever worldbuilding. Starga is yellow, violet, vibrant, full of many different alien species and are still divided by class. Many praises to Chee because the descriptions of Starga were so good that it took shape and came alive into my imaginations. You know how in Ready Player One, the player wears some kind of VR and enters the cyberpunk game? That's how I feel when reading this. Completely transported and immersed in the setting. I am fascinated with the desbrisfall; and how it became a part of culture/way of life in Starga, and the difference of debrisfall acceptance towards different societies there.
The book was marketed as Cyberpunk 77 meets Ghibli, and even though readers are not familiar with either of the two media, we'll still get a clear image of how Starga should be. Seriously, some of the creations like the makeup, the mushroom apartment, the playground were so creative. Everything was so whimsical (unless it's Upper Starga, and we're hit with so close to reality). It was worth mentioning that I'm not a big sci-fi reader, but Chee's world crafting did not alienate me as a newbie in this genre, which I appreciate very much. I could imagine this being adapted like Arcane or Spiderman: Into the Spider Verse level animation.
I enjoyed watching the conflict and camaraderie throughout it. There was never a dull moment in this book, and the storytelling was entertaining. The pacing doesn't feel slow, but wasn't rushed either. We get a perfect amount of time to be introduced with any storyline in the book. The ending broke me a little. I don't know if this is a planned series or standalone, but even if it's a standalone, then I think it's still a perfect ending. Overall, I would recommend this to Ghibli fans! The whimsical worldbuilding but deep messages layered inside resonated deeply with me, and I'm sure that so many readers will love it too!
P/S: Small thing, but as a Malaysian, I love the word usage of "kopi" instead of coffee.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a unique and enjoyable read. I truly felt like I had been transported to this beautiful and chaotic world. Everything from the interesting bars they visited to the delightful secret adventure place Frey & Alasar visited was described so beautifully. I have seen this compared to Studio Ghibli and Arcane and I think those comparisons are very accurate!
My favorite character was the little space worm but Alasar definitely was a close second.
I enjoyed this book immensely and can't wait to purchase a copy for my bookshelf! I need to read this again so I can feel like I'm once again in Starga. Definitely a new comfort read for me.
My favorite character was the little space worm but Alasar definitely was a close second.
I enjoyed this book immensely and can't wait to purchase a copy for my bookshelf! I need to read this again so I can feel like I'm once again in Starga. Definitely a new comfort read for me.
August 23, 2026
This book is as colorfully imaginative as its cover. Akin to a thriller, we’re very quickly plunged into action, the two main characters getting tangled into a search for truth that has increasingly dire implications for their world.
I loved the cosmopolitan city of Starga, and how unique and new all the different alien species felt. There are multiverse shenanigans, and archetypes (the orphan girl raised on the streets, the golden heir boy) used to their fullest.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Disclaimer: I got an advance reader copy from the author
I loved the cosmopolitan city of Starga, and how unique and new all the different alien species felt. There are multiverse shenanigans, and archetypes (the orphan girl raised on the streets, the golden heir boy) used to their fullest.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Disclaimer: I got an advance reader copy from the author
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Bindery Books and SkiesPress for the e-ARC for this book via NetGalley! This was absolutely fantastic. I found the world mesmerizing and I quite literally could not put it down. When I received the notification I’d been approved for the e-ARC on NetGalley, I stopped mid other book to immediately start reading it. If you’re looking for sci-fi that poses and seeks to answer questions like “why are we here?” and “what do we owe to the people in our community?” this is the book for you. I’m reeling. Wow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I heard that this was pitched as cyberpunk 2077 meets studio Ghibli, I knew that this would become a new favorite. I was not wrong. I cannot wait to see what else Megan Chee writes because this was such an astounding debut. In a world full of cyberpunk grittiness and the fantastical side of the debris of various worlds, every reader will find something about you here. I live for Unique stories and this one delivered on every level with wonderful World building and fantastic characters. I cannot recommend this enough.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy!
I absolutely adore this book! I fell in love with the Frey, Alasar, and Silver right from the start! The idea of the story; pieces of other worlds, falling from the sky, was very intriguing and I enjoyed learning about the folks and worlds that make up Starga. Chee did an amazing job with descriptions and world building.
I can't wait to have the physical copy in hand! This is one of my favorite books of the year!!
I absolutely adore this book! I fell in love with the Frey, Alasar, and Silver right from the start! The idea of the story; pieces of other worlds, falling from the sky, was very intriguing and I enjoyed learning about the folks and worlds that make up Starga. Chee did an amazing job with descriptions and world building.
I can't wait to have the physical copy in hand! This is one of my favorite books of the year!!
September 8, 2026
This was such an interesting book. The book's concept was unique, which intrigued me. Unfortunately, some slower moments made it feel like it was dragging. I think I was also expecting it to be cozier or quirkier than it was. I enjoyed this book. I would recommend giving it a read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Chee, and Skies Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Chee, and Skies Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Archaeology of Falling Worlds is a brilliant, haunting masterpiece for lovers of weird fiction, dark speculative fantasy, and quiet cosmic horror. Megan Chee delivers an extraordinary, thought-provoking tale that lingers like a shadow long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this book so much!! An incredible adventure, an insightful look at unfair, corrupt societies, and filled with characters that stole my heart! 😊✨
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