Space opera is one of my favorite genres, but it’s also known for long, sometimes meandering works that can feel like a slog to get through. I loved tSpace opera is one of my favorite genres, but it’s also known for long, sometimes meandering works that can feel like a slog to get through. I loved these quick hits, and I’m impressed by the caliber of author.
Like any anthology, there were some highs and lows here, but what was particularly impressive is that even the lows were good; they just weren’t really for me. But the writing was great across the board, some stories just resonated with me more than others.
A handful of these stories were not new to me, but it was fun to reencounter them anyway.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tachyon Publications!...more
Ugh, I hate to say this. I thought I was a Naomi Novik fan, but this collection of short stories made me reconsider that. I loved the Scholomance seriUgh, I hate to say this. I thought I was a Naomi Novik fan, but this collection of short stories made me reconsider that. I loved the Scholomance series, but *what if* I just really loved El? What if it's that I loved this specific world that Novik created rather than her writing itself?
I was so excited to pick this up, and I just kept putting it back down again. The only story I read through in once sitting was, of course, the one that took place in the world of the Scholomance. And now I'm just feeling so guilty.
Maybe I need to come back to this collection in the future; maybe I just wasn't in the right place for it.
What an excellent afrofuturist short story collection! I thought these were fantastic: profound and moving and engaging. Sure, some were stronger thanWhat an excellent afrofuturist short story collection! I thought these were fantastic: profound and moving and engaging. Sure, some were stronger than others, but on the whole, this was wonderful.
These tackle some big questions about the future, about art and science, and about love and loss. They are deeply human while examining AI and technology. They are beautifully written and riveting.
My favorites were Debut, Saturday’s Song, Lights in the Sky, and A Dream of Electric Mothers.
I think my challenge with some of the newer books is that I just love the original characters so much and want to know more about them and their worldI think my challenge with some of the newer books is that I just love the original characters so much and want to know more about them and their worlds. These short stories are wonderful to me and feel more like “home” than the newest books.
Jack is one of my favorite Wayward Children characters, and while this was a little corny, it was also warm and horrifying and pretty much exactly whaJack is one of my favorite Wayward Children characters, and while this was a little corny, it was also warm and horrifying and pretty much exactly what I want out of these stories.
I mistakenly thought this was nonfiction, and it wasn’t until I was a few chapters in that I realized it wasn’t—that’s on me for not knowing what I waI mistakenly thought this was nonfiction, and it wasn’t until I was a few chapters in that I realized it wasn’t—that’s on me for not knowing what I was reading.
I preferred the earlier, less speculative chapters because the later chapters (particularly the one on Schrödinger) made me uncomfortable. I can’t put my finger on why—I generally don’t mind fictionalized accounts, and I also generally subscribe to the view that truths can be found in fiction. But still, I was uncomfortable. Part of that discomfort might have been because of what a creep Schrödinger was, and that’s well-documented to be true.
Labatut makes his point well, and this book (collection of short stories?) is well-written and very engaging. You’re not hit over the head with the themes but it’s clear what they are.
I had high hopes for this one: I’ve been obsessed with Vesuvius since I was a child, and I’ve seen the ruins of Pompeii in person. But it fell a littlI had high hopes for this one: I’ve been obsessed with Vesuvius since I was a child, and I’ve seen the ruins of Pompeii in person. But it fell a little short for me (with the exception of Eliza Knight’s chapter, which was compelling and hit so hard emotionally). ...more
In 2012, Lahiri moved her family to Rome and began reading and writing in Italian. These stories were written in Italian before being translated into In 2012, Lahiri moved her family to Rome and began reading and writing in Italian. These stories were written in Italian before being translated into English. Some of them were translated by Lahiri herself and others by Todd Portnowitz.
I found it really cool that, after achieving so much success in English, Lahiri would challenge herself to write in her adopted language.
These stories were quiet and poignant. Three stars rather than more because I don’t think any of them will really stick with me for a while. That said, I could see myself coming back to this one in the future and revisiting the rating then.
Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Doubleday!...more