eatreadgamerepeat's review
adventurous
medium-paced
3.0
Honestly a bit of a mixed bag for me - some stories were really good and I'll definitely be looking into more works by some authors, and other stories were honestly 1 stars or DNFs which I generally don't do, since they are short stories you'd think it'd be easy to finish but then I just couldn't even get through them.
mariahossain's review
5.0
This is the first short story anthology I’ve ever finished (and loved). This is also my first time reading anything literary about Solarpunk. Quite frankly, Solarpunk is such a new punk style that it still has a long way to go and lots of recognition to achieve. It’s a very cool punk, IMO, much cooler than steampunk or dieselpunk. The main aim of solarpunk is to cultivate nature and nurture, and sow the seeds of hope.
This anthology has got 22 short stories, each one more unique and quirkier and cooler than the other. Each story features solarpunk aspects and aesthetics, as well as dragons in some way.
Confession: I mostly picked up this anthology since my current novel has solarpunk setting and dragons in it. But though I picked it up for research and creative inspiration, I stuck to it only because the core of the anthology fascinated me. I loved every story, though my bias heart loves a few more than the rest. But I’d recommend this book 100% if you are looking for a fresh taste in SciFi and fantasy, and need to cleanse your palate from the grim-dark dystopian and nihilistic cyberpunk SciFi books.
This anthology has got 22 short stories, each one more unique and quirkier and cooler than the other. Each story features solarpunk aspects and aesthetics, as well as dragons in some way.
Confession: I mostly picked up this anthology since my current novel has solarpunk setting and dragons in it. But though I picked it up for research and creative inspiration, I stuck to it only because the core of the anthology fascinated me. I loved every story, though my bias heart loves a few more than the rest. But I’d recommend this book 100% if you are looking for a fresh taste in SciFi and fantasy, and need to cleanse your palate from the grim-dark dystopian and nihilistic cyberpunk SciFi books.
hmfogel's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I'm IPB's freelance proofreader, but I did not work on this book--though it'll always be special to me because an article about it is what told me of IPB's existence in the first place. I love the ideas behind solarpunk, and I love dragons, so naturally I liked a lot of this book. I had to read in chunks so stories wouldn't blend together (as seemed possible with such specific criteria) but on the whole, very well done.
nonesensed's review against another edition
3.0
This collection was a mixed bag. Dragons and solarpunk showed up in all stories, so there was no break in the theme, but some of the stories felt...incomplete? They had a beginning and a set-up, and then they sort of just ended. None of the stories were bad, they just left me a little confused.
That said, the cover art alone is worth getting this book because Agata Jędrychowska did an amazing job with it! Just gorgeous!
My favorite stories of this collection are In the Hearts of Dragons by Stephanie Wagner (love me some telepathy and bonding drama in space!), The Shape of the Sun by Marianne L. D. Drolet (starts out very bleak but builds to bittersweet), Solarium by Kimberly Kay & A. N. Gephart (good build-up and pay-off, had a nice part about loyalty that I'm always a fan of), Refuge by Mindi Briar (an interesting scifi take on dragons and emotional connections, gonna keep an eye out for the book this is part of), The Dragon of Kou by Caroline Bigaiski (had a nice fairy tale feel to it), The Witch's Son by Diane Dubas (powerful last line; would love to know how this continues but it also feels complete as a story), Wings of the Guiding Suns by M. Pax (post-apocalyptic space dragon ships, I'm all for it!) and Community Outreach with Reluctant Neighbors (alternatively, How to Avoid Cults) by Kat Learner (funny and cute).
I over all enjoyed this anthology and would recommend it to people who really like dragons, solarpunk, or both.
That said, the cover art alone is worth getting this book because Agata Jędrychowska did an amazing job with it! Just gorgeous!
My favorite stories of this collection are In the Hearts of Dragons by Stephanie Wagner (love me some telepathy and bonding drama in space!), The Shape of the Sun by Marianne L. D. Drolet (starts out very bleak but builds to bittersweet), Solarium by Kimberly Kay & A. N. Gephart (good build-up and pay-off, had a nice part about loyalty that I'm always a fan of), Refuge by Mindi Briar (an interesting scifi take on dragons and emotional connections, gonna keep an eye out for the book this is part of), The Dragon of Kou by Caroline Bigaiski (had a nice fairy tale feel to it), The Witch's Son by Diane Dubas (powerful last line; would love to know how this continues but it also feels complete as a story), Wings of the Guiding Suns by M. Pax (post-apocalyptic space dragon ships, I'm all for it!) and Community Outreach with Reluctant Neighbors (alternatively, How to Avoid Cults) by Kat Learner (funny and cute).
I over all enjoyed this anthology and would recommend it to people who really like dragons, solarpunk, or both.
carolinewithane's review against another edition
you may find me somewhere between these pages
mariahsnerdynotes's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
synth's review
1.0
As with all anthologies, A few have potential, a number are simplistic, most are badly written and boring.
And as with most white western authors, the amount of (casual) racism is overwhelming. I don't necessarily want to point fingers because I'm sure it is most likely ignorance, rather than ill-intent, but the exoticization of women of other cultures under the guise of representation is one disturbing example. It also very often shows in sf/f in the simple use of "exotic" names, and this anthology is no exception.
And as with most white western authors, the amount of (casual) racism is overwhelming. I don't necessarily want to point fingers because I'm sure it is most likely ignorance, rather than ill-intent, but the exoticization of women of other cultures under the guise of representation is one disturbing example. It also very often shows in sf/f in the simple use of "exotic" names, and this anthology is no exception.
claudiearseneault's review
5.0
Obviously, as an editor of this anthology, I LOVE all the stories within. I'm proud to be bringing more solarpunk literature into the world, especially mixed up with dragons!
To me these pages are an exploration of what solarpunk could be, of what happens when you rethink dragons to fit sustainable worlds where nature and community take precedence.
I do hope everyone will enjoy the dive as much as we did. :)
To me these pages are an exploration of what solarpunk could be, of what happens when you rethink dragons to fit sustainable worlds where nature and community take precedence.
I do hope everyone will enjoy the dive as much as we did. :)
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