catapocalypse's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
This was more varied in quality from anthologies I've read recently. I feel that even though it's not YA, a few of the stories felt a little too young for me, as I near middle-age. For example, I realize that banter with inside jokes like in the first vignette, "Per Rotas Ad Astra" by Ether Nepenthes (3 stars), feels awkward (as when inside jokes you aren't part of are told around you in reality) rather than something someone young may enjoy and yearn to be part of. A few other stories were a bit ham-fisted in their metaphors or very predictable.
My least favorite story was "The Edge of the Abyss" by M. Darusha Wehm (2.5 stars), which is perhaps where the anthology publisher's declaration of "politically moderate, centrist" leanings comes into play. The two galactic factions in the story are modeled after the modern conservative vs. liberal divide common in the West. The main character's centrist position claims nuance, but really is a milquetoast position that lacks nuance in its assumption that both sides come from equal footing, rather than examining how the long cultural histories of colonization, racism, capitalism, etc. actually shaped these ideas and this divide. It also very briefly touches on the "Stay and Fight" vs. "Flee for Personal Survival" decision without providing any real depth there either (and I feel very strongly about this due to my own family history of loss and personal experience). I don't think it's impossible for a short story to properly handle something like this, but this story's execution was not there. A shame, because I did enjoy the characters and setting at first.
My favorite story in the collection was "Rovers" by Marcus Woodman (5 stars). It follows a courier in a post-apocalyptic US, who encounters an unusual loner requesting a ride. The story was fun and charming, and looking back at the title afterward? I'm tickled. Other favorites were "Unexpected Trans-Parent" by Lydia Rogue (5 stars) which was also fun and charming, with an interesting premise, and "Briar Patch" by Lane Fox (5 stars) which was a brief but beautiful vignette full of love and mindfulness.
On the whole, I still had a good time with the anthology, and as someone who is nonbinary myself, I always find trans and nonbinary stories refreshing, especially when they're allowed to be trans-/queer-normative and have fun like this!
My least favorite story was "The Edge of the Abyss" by M. Darusha Wehm (2.5 stars), which is perhaps where the anthology publisher's declaration of "politically moderate, centrist" leanings comes into play. The two galactic factions in the story are modeled after the modern conservative vs. liberal divide common in the West. The main character's centrist position claims nuance, but really is a milquetoast position that lacks nuance in its assumption that both sides come from equal footing, rather than examining how the long cultural histories of colonization, racism, capitalism, etc. actually shaped these ideas and this divide. It also very briefly touches on the "Stay and Fight" vs. "Flee for Personal Survival" decision without providing any real depth there either (and I feel very strongly about this due to my own family history of loss and personal experience). I don't think it's impossible for a short story to properly handle something like this, but this story's execution was not there. A shame, because I did enjoy the characters and setting at first.
My favorite story in the collection was "Rovers" by Marcus Woodman (5 stars). It follows a courier in a post-apocalyptic US, who encounters an unusual loner requesting a ride. The story was fun and charming, and looking back at the title afterward? I'm tickled. Other favorites were "Unexpected Trans-Parent" by Lydia Rogue (5 stars) which was also fun and charming, with an interesting premise, and "Briar Patch" by Lane Fox (5 stars) which was a brief but beautiful vignette full of love and mindfulness.
On the whole, I still had a good time with the anthology, and as someone who is nonbinary myself, I always find trans and nonbinary stories refreshing, especially when they're allowed to be trans-/queer-normative and have fun like this!
neonpomegranate's review
5.0
Cute and fun! I don’t even feel passionate about bikes, but it was exciting to be brought in to the imaginations of these writers who all see bikes as liberatory. Very imaginative and affirming
katdawg7's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
murphysj34's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mrsbluejay's review
5.0
This is a truly excellent queer collection of short stories, some of them of flash fiction format. The mood is positive and pretty anarchic, which I enjoy a lot. I'm definitely going to search for more work of the authors involved!
Before discovering this collection I didn't even know bicycle sci fi was a thing, but it's pretty much the perfect genre for the city I'm living in, the bike capital of Germany.
Before discovering this collection I didn't even know bicycle sci fi was a thing, but it's pretty much the perfect genre for the city I'm living in, the bike capital of Germany.
ryyyyyyyye's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.0
astropova's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
4.25
Very cool! My favorite stories were Unexpectedly Trans-Parent by Lydia Rogue and The Visitmothers by Charlie Jane Anders. But all the stories were a very interesting read!
marioncromb's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A mix of stories, naturally some better than others. A very niche but interesting topic for stories!
vortacist's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25