alexperc_92's review
4.0
I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of the few times a publisher on NetGalley granted my wish! And this anthology was an adventure, though space and regions where every part of the human psyche was covered. From lovers and drug dealers to revenge and politics this book has a gorgeous cast, amazing authors who I am going to check too (since I know only Amanda Sun!) and a glorious representation of the Asian culture, even through the spectrum of the sci-fi genre!
Truly recommended!
This was one of the few times a publisher on NetGalley granted my wish! And this anthology was an adventure, though space and regions where every part of the human psyche was covered. From lovers and drug dealers to revenge and politics this book has a gorgeous cast, amazing authors who I am going to check too (since I know only Amanda Sun!) and a glorious representation of the Asian culture, even through the spectrum of the sci-fi genre!
Truly recommended!
serranok's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aardwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Variety, ambition, range, and emotion. Some of the stories were duds for me, but that's how an anthology is. They may work perfectly for you.
spacerookie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Great read.
My favourites:
Weaving Silk by Amanda Sun
A Visitation for the Spirit Festival by Diana Xin
Meridian by Karin Lowachee*
Wintry Hearts of Those Who Rise by Minsoo Kang
Decision by Joyce Chng
Old Souls by Fonda Lee
The Orphans of Nilaveli by Naru Dames Sundar*
*My two favourite favourites.
My favourites:
Weaving Silk by Amanda Sun
A Visitation for the Spirit Festival by Diana Xin
Meridian by Karin Lowachee*
Wintry Hearts of Those Who Rise by Minsoo Kang
Decision by Joyce Chng
Old Souls by Fonda Lee
The Orphans of Nilaveli by Naru Dames Sundar*
*My two favourite favourites.
mlludwig's review against another edition
3.0
Typical of anthologies, enjoyed some & didn't enjoy others. Averaged out to 3 stars
debbiechristina's review
3.0
As far as I read I enjoyed reading some short stories, it was either hit or miss for me. And after a few months, I just couldn’t find the energy to continue reading the short stories. It felt more as a chore continuing than for enjoyment. So I quitted reading at 55% into it, not that I didn’t like it but more that I had more interested in other books I had to get to and like I said this felt more as a chore. But I would still recommend this book if you enjoy short stories and you enjoy Science Fiction.
u311082's review against another edition
5.0
I just loved this anthology of science fiction and fantasy short stories by authors of Asian descent or ancestry.
The story of the man who loved his father so much he tried to keep his soul alive inside a robot, the one about the displaced mermaid, the woman who remembers all of her past lives and realises the people carving out an existence on the moon; all wonderful stories that highlight humanity in fantastical ways.
It also highlighted that, though we may come from different cultures we are all the same. We all want to have a home, be happy and to love and be loved.
The story of the man who loved his father so much he tried to keep his soul alive inside a robot, the one about the displaced mermaid, the woman who remembers all of her past lives and realises the people carving out an existence on the moon; all wonderful stories that highlight humanity in fantastical ways.
It also highlighted that, though we may come from different cultures we are all the same. We all want to have a home, be happy and to love and be loved.
greenbeem's review
5.0
There are SO many excellent plotlines in this book, and such world-building. It was so neat to read SFF taking place in different parts of the world, great exercise for my imagination. I'll be looking out for these authors in the future, and I look forward to another collection like this!
krisandburn's review
4.0
I finally got round to reading this anthology of Asian science fiction and fantasy stories. I was not sure what to expect with a wide variety of authors I was not familiar with, but it was a treat.
First of all, can I just mention how well designed the cover is. It really pulled me in. I know you should not judge a book by its cover, but it can help!
This anthology leans quite heavily towards the science fiction / futuristic side and that is a genre that I am much less familiar with than fantasy. However, I did thoroughly enjoy this collection. The stories were varied both in their content and location. I will not rate every story individually, mainly because this is an anthology and it should be looked at as a whole. As a whole, I feel this is a really strong collection in which the individual stories compliment each other and make them stand stronger as a unit.
Of course, I had my favourites, such as ‘The dataSUltan of Streets and Stars’ by Jeremy Szal, which was based in a future version of Istanbul, and ‘The Bridge of Dangerous Longings’ by Rati Mehrotra, but there were not any I really did not like at all.
If you like science fiction especially, you will enjoy this well thought out anthology,
First of all, can I just mention how well designed the cover is. It really pulled me in. I know you should not judge a book by its cover, but it can help!
This anthology leans quite heavily towards the science fiction / futuristic side and that is a genre that I am much less familiar with than fantasy. However, I did thoroughly enjoy this collection. The stories were varied both in their content and location. I will not rate every story individually, mainly because this is an anthology and it should be looked at as a whole. As a whole, I feel this is a really strong collection in which the individual stories compliment each other and make them stand stronger as a unit.
Of course, I had my favourites, such as ‘The dataSUltan of Streets and Stars’ by Jeremy Szal, which was based in a future version of Istanbul, and ‘The Bridge of Dangerous Longings’ by Rati Mehrotra, but there were not any I really did not like at all.
If you like science fiction especially, you will enjoy this well thought out anthology,