nathanaeljs's review
3.0
An interesting bit of near future scifi only marred by the fact that I didn't particularly like the characters and the ending is ... odd.
zivan's review
4.0
You may know Mathew Sanborn Smith from the Beware the Hairy Mango podcast were he engages in a wild, funny, foul mouthed, punfest every show.
You may be surprised to know he also writes some relatively normal and rather good short stories that tend to focus on people struggling to survive within a world/system that's grinding them down.
My favorite stories in this collection where the title story The Algebraic Woman which is about a math based VR sex slave, from her point of view.
Where I found a quote that is especially relevant in these COVID-19 times.
"He deserved what he got, for ignoring the rules. You can ignore the rules in business, in politics, in any human-designed system, and survive. Ignore the rules of nature and you’re asking to die".
And PUPPIES FOR SALE, a humane look into the web influencer life.
I like it when the author gives you some insight into the ideas behind the stories, and each story in this collection has an afterward section that gives you some more insight, and help with understanding the more complex worlds.
Note that this is a dark collection, even the happy endings have a sad or vicious tone to them.
You may be surprised to know he also writes some relatively normal and rather good short stories that tend to focus on people struggling to survive within a world/system that's grinding them down.
My favorite stories in this collection where the title story The Algebraic Woman which is about a math based VR sex slave, from her point of view.
Where I found a quote that is especially relevant in these COVID-19 times.
"He deserved what he got, for ignoring the rules. You can ignore the rules in business, in politics, in any human-designed system, and survive. Ignore the rules of nature and you’re asking to die".
And PUPPIES FOR SALE, a humane look into the web influencer life.
I like it when the author gives you some insight into the ideas behind the stories, and each story in this collection has an afterward section that gives you some more insight, and help with understanding the more complex worlds.
Note that this is a dark collection, even the happy endings have a sad or vicious tone to them.
ellanarose's review
4.0
Read as a part of [b:Some of the Best from Tor.com: 2011 Edition|13389603|Some of the Best from Tor.com 2011 Edition|Patrick Nielsen Hayden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1329507434s/13389603.jpg|18968570]
I'm going to agree with other reviews and say that the ending is odd. Interesting, and a fascinating story, but definitely an odd ending.
I'm going to agree with other reviews and say that the ending is odd. Interesting, and a fascinating story, but definitely an odd ending.
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