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tiinyhawk's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
A really eclectic mix of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction in general. some REALLY high points from authors I absolutely will be seeking out in the future. Really happy to have experienced all the talent in this collection even if not every story was to my particular taste.
A really eclectic mix of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction in general. some REALLY high points from authors I absolutely will be seeking out in the future. Really happy to have experienced all the talent in this collection even if not every story was to my particular taste.
takarakei's review
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
I’ve not read many short story anthologies (I keep buying them and not reading them 💀) but I bought this specifically because R. F. Kuang is my favorite author, and because I knew it included a short story by Alix Harrow which I had previously read and loved. Rereading The Six Deaths of the Saint hit even harder and it was definitely my favorite. Rabbit Test made me stare into space after I finished in the “I’m having a crisis” way.
Overall, I really enjoyed most of the stories. There were only a couple that I could take or leave.
I did a few stories on audio and tandem while reading and the audio was also good, different narrators for each story.
Overall, I really enjoyed most of the stories. There were only a couple that I could take or leave.
I did a few stories on audio and tandem while reading and the audio was also good, different narrators for each story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Abortion, Pregnancy, and War
katewutz's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
4.5
Nothing like a sci-fi story collection to clear a bunch of cobwebs out of your head and then spin new ones!
djwang1994's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
kailey_alessi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
veronicaleigh46's review
4.0
As many reviews have stated not every story is a hit for everyone. However here were my favorites (in order of when they appear in the book)
- “Beginnings” by Kristina Ten. my poor queer heart broke during this. incredibly impressive how 1560 words could make me feel so much for June and Nat.
- “Sparrows” by Susan Palwick. I feel like the apocalyptic trope is used a lot. However, I really enjoyed this story. Choosing that one last goal, one last task in the face of death.
- “The Six Deaths of the Saint” by Alix E. Harrow. Amazing, pure talented writing. The POV shifts between second and first was incredible. I love this story
- “Rabbit Test” by Samantha Mills. Holy shit this was a masterpiece. The importance of autonomy over ones body. the ending gave me chills. “it is 2022 and it isn’t over. It is 2022 and it is never over” The fucking fight for women to choose, to own their bodies, to make decisions for themselves. Rabbit Test is a masterpiece.
- “The CRISPR Cookbook: A Guide to Biohacking Your Own Abortion in a Post-Roe World” by MKRNYILGLD. As a molecular biologist, I really enjoyed this one. I loved how the author took genome editing and the implications of living in this post-roe world.
- “Three Mothers Mountain” by Nathan Ballingrud. I love just a good, creepy horror. This storytelling was great coupled with the open-ending. The father was so creepy and I just really enjoyed this as a horror lover.
- “Pre- Simulation Consultation ZF007867” by Kim Fu and “In the Beginning of Me, I was a Bird” by Maria Dong Both of these lowkey made me sob. It made me feel all the love I have for those in my life and how much I want to keep them in my life.
donleon's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not sure if I’m an anthology reader. Some of these stories were either a bit boring for me or my attention span is too short for short stories. However, I really enjoyed some of the stories. There were 20 total and 3 or 4 were really great!
novelinsights's review
4.5
Favorite story: "Rabbit Test" by Samantha Mills
Readings in the Slantwise Sciences - 4
Air to Shape Lungs - 4
Beginnings - 5
Sparrows - 5
The Six Deaths of the Saint - 5
Termination Stories for the Cyberpunk Dystopia Protagonist - 5
Men, Women, and Chainsaws - 5
Rabbit Test - 5
There Are No Monsters on Rancho Buenavista - 4
Murder by Pixel - 5
White Water, Blue Ocean - 3
The CRISPR Cookbook - 4
Three Mothers Mountain - 4
The Odyssey Problem - 5
Pellargonia: A Letter to the Journal of Imaginary Anthropology - 5
Pre-Simulation Consultation XF007867 - 5
In the Beginning of Me, I Was a Bird - 4
The Difference Between Love and Time - 5
Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead - 4
Cumulative Ethical Guidelines - 3
Readings in the Slantwise Sciences - 4
Air to Shape Lungs - 4
Beginnings - 5
Sparrows - 5
The Six Deaths of the Saint - 5
Termination Stories for the Cyberpunk Dystopia Protagonist - 5
Men, Women, and Chainsaws - 5
Rabbit Test - 5
There Are No Monsters on Rancho Buenavista - 4
Murder by Pixel - 5
White Water, Blue Ocean - 3
The CRISPR Cookbook - 4
Three Mothers Mountain - 4
The Odyssey Problem - 5
Pellargonia: A Letter to the Journal of Imaginary Anthropology - 5
Pre-Simulation Consultation XF007867 - 5
In the Beginning of Me, I Was a Bird - 4
The Difference Between Love and Time - 5
Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead - 4
Cumulative Ethical Guidelines - 3