Reviews
The Dystopia Triptych: Ignorance is Strength by John Joseph Adams, Christie Yant, Hugh Howey
jackb's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was going to be a strong of shorts that were all connected but no they're just thematically similar, more generically sci-fi than out right dystopian. All the stories were good a couple of them were excellent. Some very dark ones in there too.
giada_g's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the_wanlorn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
This is the first time I've read a short story collection and thought most of them were good.
zivan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-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
4.5
An excellent collection of current sci-fi shorts of future pessimism.
Though in some dystopias you're rooting for something to go wrong.
Though in some dystopias you're rooting for something to go wrong.
macbean221b's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely perfect choice in putting that last story last. Gave me goosebumps.
audiobook_obsession's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
malmer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Mass/school shootings
melodrama44's review against another edition
4.0
Most of the stories were really amazing and thought provoking, but there were a few that either were barely fiction or not well fleshed out. But I think most people who enjoy dystopian short story will find at least something to their taste here.
severina2001's review against another edition
4.0
The first of a trio of anthologies that deal with different stages of dystopian society.
I generally really enjoy the anthologies that Adams puts together. I recognize many of the names from his previous anthology here, and I'm not sure if that's a plus or a minus in this case. On the one hand, there are some names that I look forward to reading more from; on the other, there's usually some that I would leave off the list if I had my druthers. This grouping split pretty evenly between highs (9 stories that I would consider from very good to great) and lows (6 stories that were more or less forgettable) and then the dreck (2 stories that just weren't my cuppa, as they say.)
The story that spoke to me the most was Targets: The Truth about the Boy by Adam –Troy Castro, which echoes that horrible aftermath that some of the parents of the Sandy Hook shootings had to endure, and has an ending that is both shocking yet cathartic. That one has stuck with me for a long time. On the more fantasy spectrum, my favourite was V: Invadens – The Love by Scott Sigler. It's about an alien invasion by symbionts that meld with humans, and what impressed me most was how clear the attack, spread, and current state of the world was made through just a few sparse words. I'm eager to see what happens in the next part.
I generally really enjoy the anthologies that Adams puts together. I recognize many of the names from his previous anthology here, and I'm not sure if that's a plus or a minus in this case. On the one hand, there are some names that I look forward to reading more from; on the other, there's usually some that I would leave off the list if I had my druthers. This grouping split pretty evenly between highs (9 stories that I would consider from very good to great) and lows (6 stories that were more or less forgettable) and then the dreck (2 stories that just weren't my cuppa, as they say.)
The story that spoke to me the most was Targets: The Truth about the Boy by Adam –Troy Castro, which echoes that horrible aftermath that some of the parents of the Sandy Hook shootings had to endure, and has an ending that is both shocking yet cathartic. That one has stuck with me for a long time. On the more fantasy spectrum, my favourite was V: Invadens – The Love by Scott Sigler. It's about an alien invasion by symbionts that meld with humans, and what impressed me most was how clear the attack, spread, and current state of the world was made through just a few sparse words. I'm eager to see what happens in the next part.
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