Scan barcode
raven_morgan's review
5.0
Like everyone, I don't have the time I need to be able to keep up with all of the short fiction being published in a year. Thankfully, we have wonderful resources in the many Year's Best anthologies that are published. Jonathan Strahan is an editor whose reading taste I much admire (even when it doesn't mesh with my own), and I look forward to his annual Year's Best offering. This is the tenth volume in the series edited by Strahan.
My reading of short fiction for the last year, especially outside of Australia, has been more than scattershot, and I missed a lot of good fiction. There were more stories in this collection that I'd not read (though many I'd heard chatter about) than those I'd read, which speaks only to my reading habits. Hats off to Strahan and other like editors, who have to wade through oceans of fiction to pick out what they consider the best works of the year.
Of especial note in this volume for me were: "Black Dog", by Neil Gaiman, "Dancy vs the Pterosaur" by Caitlin R. Kiernan, "Another Word for World" by Ann Leckie and "Water of Versailles" by Kelly Robson, though honestly, I enjoyed every story and could well see why they were selected for the collection, even when they didn't totally mesh with my own personal taste.
My reading of short fiction for the last year, especially outside of Australia, has been more than scattershot, and I missed a lot of good fiction. There were more stories in this collection that I'd not read (though many I'd heard chatter about) than those I'd read, which speaks only to my reading habits. Hats off to Strahan and other like editors, who have to wade through oceans of fiction to pick out what they consider the best works of the year.
Of especial note in this volume for me were: "Black Dog", by Neil Gaiman, "Dancy vs the Pterosaur" by Caitlin R. Kiernan, "Another Word for World" by Ann Leckie and "Water of Versailles" by Kelly Robson, though honestly, I enjoyed every story and could well see why they were selected for the collection, even when they didn't totally mesh with my own personal taste.
lucardus's review
3.0
Einige stärkere Stories, aber auch viel Durchschnitt, zu viel, als dass ich glauben kann, dass hier wirklich das Best Of des Jahres 2015 enthalten ist. Ich habe auch das Gefühl, dass manche Namen einfach in jeder Ausgabe vorkommen, obwohl ich nicht nachvollziehen kann, wo die betreffenden Stories herausragend gegenüber dem Rest wären. Das hat wohl auch mit Marketing zu tun, denn manche Namen müssen offenbar auf dem Cover sein, um jenseits des Hardcore-Publikums Leute auf eine solche Anthologie zu ziehen. Herausragend:
Nalo Hopkinson & Nisi Shawl
Elizabeth Bear
Catherynne Valente
Kai Ashante Wilson
Vonda McIntyre
Ian McDonald
Nalo Hopkinson & Nisi Shawl
Elizabeth Bear
Catherynne Valente
Kai Ashante Wilson
Vonda McIntyre
Ian McDonald
old_tim's review
5.0
This is a great overview of short fiction with selections from established authors as well as some up & coming ones. There's a little something for everyone here. A great look at what the year had to offer.
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2016/06/its-end-of-year-and-i-feel-fine.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2016/06/its-end-of-year-and-i-feel-fine.html
linlinlin's review
5.0
Came for the Tamsyn Muir story (the ocean God has come for his bride!) stayed for everything else. Super good collection
biblioholicbeth's review
4.0
SF/F has long been my favored genre to read, simply because the options available for telling a good story defy imagination. Being able to create own worlds and creatures, discuss possibilities on distant planets that may or may not even exist...it leaves a reader with boundless opportunities for entertainment and enrichment. And with some of the amazing storytellers that are writing today, readers are luckier than ever.
Within the pages of this book are some of those storytellers, with short stories that cover the gamut. However, there is a caveat - as with any collection put together with varied artists, some stories will appeal to some more than others. Neil Gaiman? I love him, but others may not. And that's the nature of this kind of volume. I can say without reservations that I enjoyed a majority of the stories. And yes, there were some authors I was unfamiliar with, and I can say I will be looking for more of their work. For that is *also* the nature of a collection like this - the opportunity to broaden one's horizons and find new authors and works to explore.
Overall, this was a wonderful group of authors and works, and I can say I would highly recommend it. Mr. Strahan did an excellent job with the compilation, and I look forward to more from him!
Within the pages of this book are some of those storytellers, with short stories that cover the gamut. However, there is a caveat - as with any collection put together with varied artists, some stories will appeal to some more than others. Neil Gaiman? I love him, but others may not. And that's the nature of this kind of volume. I can say without reservations that I enjoyed a majority of the stories. And yes, there were some authors I was unfamiliar with, and I can say I will be looking for more of their work. For that is *also* the nature of a collection like this - the opportunity to broaden one's horizons and find new authors and works to explore.
Overall, this was a wonderful group of authors and works, and I can say I would highly recommend it. Mr. Strahan did an excellent job with the compilation, and I look forward to more from him!
arkron's review
3.0
This very short teaser story prequels The Water Knife which is a climatic fiction set some 50 years in Arizona's future. It features the novel's protagonist Maria Villarosa when she was still full of hope, as her father got a job which would give them enough water. The story captures the novel's setting very good - with Phoenix unrelenting heat, drought, Clearsacs, Chinese building corporations, Red Cross water pumps, vertical hydroponic gardens. The refugee situation, or Oklahoma border militias are only lurking at the story's horizon.
It is a nice addition for fans of the novel and also a good introduction to the setting. But given its shortness of only five pages, don't expect too much action or character development. I found the ending to be quite predictable.
If you liked this, you might want to read Shooting the Apocalypse which is far better than this story. The author also published a story A Hot Day's Night, featuring Charlene and Lucy from the novel.
It is a nice addition for fans of the novel and also a good introduction to the setting. But given its shortness of only five pages, don't expect too much action or character development. I found the ending to be quite predictable.
If you liked this, you might want to read Shooting the Apocalypse which is far better than this story. The author also published a story A Hot Day's Night, featuring Charlene and Lucy from the novel.
thesffreader's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Really interesting story set in the same world as The Water Knife. It's not as great as the novel but I would still recommend reading it if you enjoyed TWK.
Merged review:
Full review available on my blog here: https://thecurioussffreader.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/book-review-the-best-science-fiction-fantasy-of-the-year-ed-jonathan-strahan/
Does this collection contain the “bestSFF” of the year? I don’t know. Thousands of stories are written every year and you can’t possibly read them all. Do I think that every single story “deserve” a spot on this antholgy? No. Of course they are a few duds, I can’t possibly love them all. Do I think that it is a good Best of the Year anthology?
Absolutely.
I don’t love all the stories but they all contain interesting themes and reflexions on various different topics such as social issues, family, consciousness, discrimination and they’re all tactful. Yes, I didn’t love all of them but could I have done a better job than Strahan? Nope!
Really interesting story set in the same world as The Water Knife. It's not as great as the novel but I would still recommend reading it if you enjoyed TWK.
Merged review:
Full review available on my blog here: https://thecurioussffreader.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/book-review-the-best-science-fiction-fantasy-of-the-year-ed-jonathan-strahan/
Does this collection contain the “bestSFF” of the year? I don’t know. Thousands of stories are written every year and you can’t possibly read them all. Do I think that every single story “deserve” a spot on this antholgy? No. Of course they are a few duds, I can’t possibly love them all. Do I think that it is a good Best of the Year anthology?
Absolutely.
I don’t love all the stories but they all contain interesting themes and reflexions on various different topics such as social issues, family, consciousness, discrimination and they’re all tactful. Yes, I didn’t love all of them but could I have done a better job than Strahan? Nope!
wordylocks's review against another edition
5.0
As most of you may know, I have a special fondness for science fiction and fantasy. I love that these other worlds allow us to explore the issues and prejudices of our time within a fictional framework. Even when the setting is dystopian, it offers a scenery within which we can strive to find solutions to the problems of today. Where literary fiction serves as a description and exploration of the issues at hand, genre fiction, especially speculative fiction, is an exercise in problem solving. We may never find all the answers, but the turning over of questions in the mind is a worthy exercise in itself.
The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year Volume 10 is an anthology of tales that amaze, excite and kindle thought. The line-up of featured authors is impressive, and they do not disappoint. Compared to previous volumes, the current volume falls a bit short, but it is still very enjoyable.
Gaiman’s Baskervillesque Black Dog, is a dark tale that calls up some ancient, pre-historic fears. A Murmuration, by Alastair Reynolds is just as scary. Waters of Versailles by Kelly Robson is a strangely tactile experience. Dancy vs the Pterosaur by Caitlin R Kiernan is a scaffold to the evolution vs creationism debate that leaves one wanting more.
One of my favourite stories from the collection is Elizabeth Bear’s The Heart’s Filthy Lesson, which is a truly exciting adventure. Greg Bear’s The Machine Starts is a tangled thread that the reader will enjoy unraveling. Alyssa Wong’s Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers is a captivating, edge of the seat experience. The Lily and the Horn is another favourite story set in a fictional world of lords and ladies out to battle.
The story I loved the most comes towards the end of the anthology–Usman T Malik’s The Pauper Prince and The Eucalyptus Jinn, which evokes the sights and sounds of Lahore in a manner reminiscent of the Thousand and One Nights.
The above mentioned are just a handful of my favourites from amongst many good tales. Travel well through these varied worlds, adventurous reader!
The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year Volume 10, published by Rebellion, is forthcoming on May 17th 2016.
FTC disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.
The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year Volume 10 is an anthology of tales that amaze, excite and kindle thought. The line-up of featured authors is impressive, and they do not disappoint. Compared to previous volumes, the current volume falls a bit short, but it is still very enjoyable.
Gaiman’s Baskervillesque Black Dog, is a dark tale that calls up some ancient, pre-historic fears. A Murmuration, by Alastair Reynolds is just as scary. Waters of Versailles by Kelly Robson is a strangely tactile experience. Dancy vs the Pterosaur by Caitlin R Kiernan is a scaffold to the evolution vs creationism debate that leaves one wanting more.
One of my favourite stories from the collection is Elizabeth Bear’s The Heart’s Filthy Lesson, which is a truly exciting adventure. Greg Bear’s The Machine Starts is a tangled thread that the reader will enjoy unraveling. Alyssa Wong’s Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers is a captivating, edge of the seat experience. The Lily and the Horn is another favourite story set in a fictional world of lords and ladies out to battle.
The story I loved the most comes towards the end of the anthology–Usman T Malik’s The Pauper Prince and The Eucalyptus Jinn, which evokes the sights and sounds of Lahore in a manner reminiscent of the Thousand and One Nights.
The above mentioned are just a handful of my favourites from amongst many good tales. Travel well through these varied worlds, adventurous reader!
The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year Volume 10, published by Rebellion, is forthcoming on May 17th 2016.
FTC disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.
biblioholicbeth's review against another edition
4.0
SF/F has long been my favored genre to read, simply because the options available for telling a good story defy imagination. Being able to create own worlds and creatures, discuss possibilities on distant planets that may or may not even exist...it leaves a reader with boundless opportunities for entertainment and enrichment. And with some of the amazing storytellers that are writing today, readers are luckier than ever.
Within the pages of this book are some of those storytellers, with short stories that cover the gamut. However, there is a caveat - as with any collection put together with varied artists, some stories will appeal to some more than others. Neil Gaiman? I love him, but others may not. And that's the nature of this kind of volume. I can say without reservations that I enjoyed a majority of the stories. And yes, there were some authors I was unfamiliar with, and I can say I will be looking for more of their work. For that is *also* the nature of a collection like this - the opportunity to broaden one's horizons and find new authors and works to explore.
Overall, this was a wonderful group of authors and works, and I can say I would highly recommend it. Mr. Strahan did an excellent job with the compilation, and I look forward to more from him!
Within the pages of this book are some of those storytellers, with short stories that cover the gamut. However, there is a caveat - as with any collection put together with varied artists, some stories will appeal to some more than others. Neil Gaiman? I love him, but others may not. And that's the nature of this kind of volume. I can say without reservations that I enjoyed a majority of the stories. And yes, there were some authors I was unfamiliar with, and I can say I will be looking for more of their work. For that is *also* the nature of a collection like this - the opportunity to broaden one's horizons and find new authors and works to explore.
Overall, this was a wonderful group of authors and works, and I can say I would highly recommend it. Mr. Strahan did an excellent job with the compilation, and I look forward to more from him!