inthebelljar's review
5.0
I want to write a longer review for this collection later but since I seem to be the first to rate it on Goodreads, I figured I'd say a little bit about it!
I absolutely adore Merc Fenn Wolfmoor's writing. Their other collection of short stories, [b:So You Want to be a Robot and Other Stories|33376885|So You Want to be a Robot and Other Stories|A. Merc Rustad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487465576l/33376885._SY75_.jpg|54117963], is one of my all-time favorites and I often like to pick it up to reread. Saying I was ecstatic when I saw they wrote another collection of sff short stories is an understatement - I ordered the paperback right away and read it in a few sittings once it came.
The stories all do end on a hopeful note, but that doesn't mean they shy away from darker and deeper topics - and I love that. There were a couple that made me tear up but still left me with a hopeful feeling in the end.
My favorite of the collection is probably "The Machine is Experiencing Uncertainty" and I can see myself going back to it again and again (haha. time loop joke).
I absolutely adore Merc Fenn Wolfmoor's writing. Their other collection of short stories, [b:So You Want to be a Robot and Other Stories|33376885|So You Want to be a Robot and Other Stories|A. Merc Rustad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487465576l/33376885._SY75_.jpg|54117963], is one of my all-time favorites and I often like to pick it up to reread. Saying I was ecstatic when I saw they wrote another collection of sff short stories is an understatement - I ordered the paperback right away and read it in a few sittings once it came.
The stories all do end on a hopeful note, but that doesn't mean they shy away from darker and deeper topics - and I love that. There were a couple that made me tear up but still left me with a hopeful feeling in the end.
My favorite of the collection is probably "The Machine is Experiencing Uncertainty" and I can see myself going back to it again and again (haha. time loop joke).
audreyhoyt00's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
I really enjoyed the mix of short stories in this book. Some of my favorite sci-fi tropes mixed with some unexpected moments.
clara_ward's review
5.0
It took me weeks to finish this collection—only because I hoarded my “call a friendly robot” options the way I hoard my favorite hot chocolate! While I loved rereading “The Machine is Experiencing Uncertainty” and “The Frequency of Compassion,” I’ve rarely found such a trustworthy stash of new (to me) stories. Each time I dipped back into this book, I knew I’d find a captivating point of view who would in turn ultimately find friendship, appreciation, or a truer way of being. I didn’t even mind when some stories turned out not to have robots. “The Loincloth and the Broadsword” is about Vikings, and it still feels like arriving home in all the best ways!
erica_lannan's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.5
I really liked that although many of these stories were dealing with often quite "heavy" subjects, there was always a thread of hopefulness or inspiration, especially towards the end. Feeling good after reading some apocalyptic fiction is unusual! My favorites of the short stories were "steadyboi" and "it me, ur smol".
siclarke's review
5.0
So many good stories – fantasy, urban fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and science fiction. All the warm fuzzies.
cheybrary's review
emotional
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Each story has content warnings included.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Homophobia
terriaminute's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
This should be good. *starts reading*
It IS!!! I'd about given up on finding a short story collection I liked most of. I am SO glad I tried this one! Very highly recommended for inclusive nonbigoted minds!
This Cold Red Dust: oh. Oh oh oh. <3
it me, ur smol: cute; I want it to come true.
Behold the Deep Never Seen: I enjoyed it. Some may find it a bit ecologically preachy, but they're wrong, so.
Housebot After the Uprising: Very short and cute in a robot uprising kind of way.
Bring the Bones That Sing: Very nice reaper fantasy. POV is an autistic girl.
Lonely Robot On a Rocket Ship In Space: legit made me cry at the end <3
Yet So Vain is Man: Very short first contact story, yikes.
The Machine is Experiencing Uncertainty: I would read more of this in a heartbeat.
The Loincloth and the Broadsword: Oh my gosh this is delightful. More fantasies like this!
HEXPOCALYPSE: A funny disaster!
Steadyboi After the Apocalypse: Oh my gosh, this one is fantastic worldbuilding and MC. Wow.
The Frequency of Compassion: What a delightful first contact story.
*runs off to comb through author's backlist.
It IS!!! I'd about given up on finding a short story collection I liked most of. I am SO glad I tried this one! Very highly recommended for inclusive nonbigoted minds!
This Cold Red Dust: oh. Oh oh oh. <3
it me, ur smol: cute; I want it to come true.
Behold the Deep Never Seen: I enjoyed it. Some may find it a bit ecologically preachy, but they're wrong, so.
Housebot After the Uprising: Very short and cute in a robot uprising kind of way.
Bring the Bones That Sing: Very nice reaper fantasy. POV is an autistic girl.
Lonely Robot On a Rocket Ship In Space: legit made me cry at the end <3
Yet So Vain is Man: Very short first contact story, yikes.
The Machine is Experiencing Uncertainty: I would read more of this in a heartbeat.
The Loincloth and the Broadsword: Oh my gosh this is delightful. More fantasies like this!
HEXPOCALYPSE: A funny disaster!
Steadyboi After the Apocalypse: Oh my gosh, this one is fantastic worldbuilding and MC. Wow.
The Frequency of Compassion: What a delightful first contact story.
*runs off to comb through author's backlist.
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