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deathmetalheron's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is an excellent book that wasn't written for me. There are a lot of really interesting concepts at play here. It's written in nonlinear order, with all timelines being marked by the arrival in Earth's orbit of Halley's Comet. This framing device is just really profound and interesting way to write multiversal stuff. The concept itself is electrifying enough to propel you through reading it. The second major framing device is the story of Hansel & Gretel, which is related to us in multiple ways--first as the actual story taking place in the 14th century, then as the brothers Grimm hear the tale in the 19th century, and a few times in allegorical form in the future. The additional added context is reimagining the story as a tale against parental abuse--that Hansel is potentially gay, and his mother and father send him away for this reason.
My issues with this book are that there are a lot references to breadcrumbs contained throughout the story (a la Hansel and Gretel), the insistence of their existence is a little tedious. The middle of this book is a big slog, with a lot of setup for the ending quarter of the story. The ending is definitely worth it but I was not so high in the middle of this story. There is a lot of setup chapters where we sort of wait for details to be fleshed out. Due to this it's hard to recommend as an overall excellent book but there is certainly payoff. I went to sleep on this much harsher on it, and woke up with a more positive overall take.
My issues with this book are that there are a lot references to breadcrumbs contained throughout the story (a la Hansel and Gretel), the insistence of their existence is a little tedious. The middle of this book is a big slog, with a lot of setup for the ending quarter of the story. The ending is definitely worth it but I was not so high in the middle of this story. There is a lot of setup chapters where we sort of wait for details to be fleshed out. Due to this it's hard to recommend as an overall excellent book but there is certainly payoff. I went to sleep on this much harsher on it, and woke up with a more positive overall take.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Death, Terminal illness, and Outing
litprof's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
The Archive of Alternative Endings gives us a catchy title and compelling concept of weaving a polyvocal achronological queer retelling of Hansel and Gretel around the appearances of Halley's comet. Unfortunately, the writing, narrative, and characterization are sparse to the point of frailty, failing to carry through on the promises of the the title and premise. It feels quickly stitched together of various flash fiction, cnf, and memoir pieces. And perhaps it simply wasn't for me. I was expecting something queer, and not just through the mention of AIDs. The binary code space probe bits could strike some as clever, but I read enough sf to have rolled my eyes. And I can imagine how it might be soothing to someone dealing with the loss of a sibling, but I'm an only child who just read a better novel about siblings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Abandonment
gardens_and_dragons's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This is a hard novella to review. I’ll probably add more after I think about it more. I appreciate what it was trying to be, but overall my enjoyment was diminished by the POV holding the reader at arms length.
I’m giving it a 4 rounded up - because I enjoyed the prose, the themes, the way it interwove plot points and left us breadcrumbs. It feels like it will be very important for some folks to read. For me, I wish it was just… more. It felt like a beautiful postmodern than would have been better left as a short story than a novella.
I would still recommend this for folks to give it a try!
I’m giving it a 4 rounded up - because I enjoyed the prose, the themes, the way it interwove plot points and left us breadcrumbs. It feels like it will be very important for some folks to read. For me, I wish it was just… more. It felt like a beautiful postmodern than would have been better left as a short story than a novella.
I would still recommend this for folks to give it a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual violence and Cannibalism
maatkare's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Incest and Sexism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
otakatoe3's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexism, Terminal illness, Grief, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
aringofsalt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Medical content, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Sexual assault
qarina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Incest, Pedophilia, and Car accident
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
karwc's review
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Slow start, but it becomes a reflective, birds-eye-view evaluation of humankind, siblinghood, the concept of storytelling, how we empathize and take care of others, and what the world will become.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
teaxmillions's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Terminal illness