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sammylawnchair's review against another edition
4.0
Skip the last two stories. Otherwise, there were a ton of really interesting, enjoyable stories in this collection. Sigurdson the robot who gains affection, fairies who exist as books, AI popstars, a gruesome boy, and wild west, old world fairy gods.
thewallflower00's review against another edition
4.0
It’s actually not so much about the conflict between future and fantasy as it is alternating robot and fairy stories (except for the one at the back which combines them). Which makes me wonder why this collection exists. It’s not a matter of taste–I like robot stories and I like fairy stories–but what’s the point of combining them? Seem like two things that would be better on their own if they’re not gonna play together.
Most of the stories are pretty good. This is one of the better short story collections I’ve read, and I don’t like ’em all that much. I even found one or two new authors to investigate (which is what a good short fiction collection should do–act like a sampler for other authors). To my surprise I was not impressed with Scalzi’s contribution. But I was with Jim C. Hines’s. I expected those two to be reversed. I think I need to amend my earlier stance on Hines for a corollary about his short fiction.
Most of the stories are pretty good. This is one of the better short story collections I’ve read, and I don’t like ’em all that much. I even found one or two new authors to investigate (which is what a good short fiction collection should do–act like a sampler for other authors). To my surprise I was not impressed with Scalzi’s contribution. But I was with Jim C. Hines’s. I expected those two to be reversed. I think I need to amend my earlier stance on Hines for a corollary about his short fiction.
lisawreading's review against another edition
5.0
A terrific collection, featuring science fiction and fantasy stories by an array of amazing authors (Seanan McGuire! John Scalzi! Sarah Gailey!). The authors declare themselves either "team robot" or "team fairy", and many of the stories focus on a world in which either robots or fairies have decided once and for all to show the puny humans who's really in charge. Super entertaining, with a mix of funny, magical, and creepy.
nobeniam's review against another edition
4.0
What an eclectic collection! I really enjoyed the diversity and all of the authors' explanations for why they were Team Robot or Team Fairy.
ruthannereid's review against another edition
5.0
WOW.
This book is FANTASTIC. I will share more details when on computer instead of phone. Wow! Wow! Wow! I got this from the library, but I'm buying now.
This book is FANTASTIC. I will share more details when on computer instead of phone. Wow! Wow! Wow! I got this from the library, but I'm buying now.
latad_books's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful collection of stories with a fun premise! Some adventure, some sadness, some humour, and a few really touching moments.
adj1920's review against another edition
2.0
A bit of a chore to finish. There were 2 or 3 stories that I found engaging, but most of them I was thoroughly indifferent to.
sassypants859's review against another edition
2.0
Oddball mix of fantasy and sci-fi stories, which is a shame because I liked the idea of them actually fighting each other.
cait_s's review against another edition
4.0
I read Zombies vs Unicorns by Holly Black, etc., so I was expecting what this is--a war of sorts, with writers taking a side on team robot or team fairy, though there is overlap within the stories.
A few of these were a bit grim for me, but most were an excellent mix of magic or weird science, of beings all too human, or unrecognizable for all their sentience. There are dream-like stories, and ones like nightmares. Post-apocalyptic settings, and utopian escapes.
There's also the story that Love Death and Robots' video, "Three Robots" is made from, which is a bit less dark at the end.
A few of these were a bit grim for me, but most were an excellent mix of magic or weird science, of beings all too human, or unrecognizable for all their sentience. There are dream-like stories, and ones like nightmares. Post-apocalyptic settings, and utopian escapes.
There's also the story that Love Death and Robots' video, "Three Robots" is made from, which is a bit less dark at the end.
thatdecembergirl's review against another edition
4.0
There are several weird ones in this book of short stories that I just cannot get into, but some stay with me like a haunting ghost. The thing is, I LOVE robots. I love watching gundam series, I adore all the mechas in [b:Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 1|1188248|Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 1 (Magic Knight Rayearth I, #1)|CLAMP|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388176506l/1188248._SY75_.jpg|60533], I watched Pacific Rim in theatres for like... FIVE times when it was showing. They are freaking cool. However, it's only after I read this book that I realized one thing: compared to robots, maybe I prefer fairies more (because the stories I love best are mostly stories about fairies).
Bread and Milk and Salt by Sarah Gailey (Fairy): ★★★★★
Oh god, I LOVE this. A fairy who tried to prey on a human since he was a boy, and yet years later, she is captured by him instead. The ending is weird and so bleak but I'm not complaining. This story has the coolest scene I've ever read in fairy-themed stories.
Ironheart by Jonathan Maberry (Robot): ★★★★★
The first robot tale that made me veeeery close to bawling into tears. It tells a story of a young war veteran who laments and regrets his decision to join the army, because now he is weak and in pain and crippled and cannot support his family as he wants to and his medical bills drain the household finance. This is just too real and I AM HURTING just reading it. The ending has a little bit of magic sprinkled around and I am genuinely grateful of that.
Just Another Love Song by Kat Howard (Fairy): ★★★★
A banshee who becomes a street performer and another who forms a ragtag band of kidnapped magical creatures. Fascinatingly weird and somehow feels close.
Second to the Left, and Straight On by Jim C. Hines (Fairy): ★★★★
If Peter Pan has his horde of Lost Boys, then Tinker Bell can have her Found Girls. A little bit sinister twist on the tale of Peter Pan. It has its fumbling moments, but overall, I like it.
All the Time We've Left to Spend by Alyssa Wong (Robot): ★★★★★
Another robot tale in this book that steals my heart, and it STEALS like a robber, taking everything without leaving anything behind. This is a story about regret and attempted redemption, and how fetishes on (long gone) idols and celebrities can be a source of money in a society that celebrates humanlike robots oh-so-unapologetically.
Adriftica by Maria Dahvana Headley (Fairy): ★★★★★
A Rolling Stone journalist who married a quirky wife (who is not so human after all) in a dried, nearing-its-demise world closely follows a young band that turns out to be a bunch of.... beings touring around the globe looking for his wife.
The cover of this book deserves a five-star review, though.
VERY, VERY PRETTY.
Bread and Milk and Salt by Sarah Gailey (Fairy): ★★★★★
Oh god, I LOVE this. A fairy who tried to prey on a human since he was a boy, and yet years later, she is captured by him instead. The ending is weird and so bleak but I'm not complaining. This story has the coolest scene I've ever read in fairy-themed stories
Spoiler
(that is, wings-ripping scene, dear Lord that shit goes HARD)Ironheart by Jonathan Maberry (Robot): ★★★★★
The first robot tale that made me veeeery close to bawling into tears. It tells a story of a young war veteran who laments and regrets his decision to join the army, because now he is weak and in pain and crippled and cannot support his family as he wants to and his medical bills drain the household finance. This is just too real and I AM HURTING just reading it. The ending has a little bit of magic sprinkled around and I am genuinely grateful of that.
Just Another Love Song by Kat Howard (Fairy): ★★★★
A banshee who becomes a street performer and another who forms a ragtag band of kidnapped magical creatures. Fascinatingly weird and somehow feels close.
Second to the Left, and Straight On by Jim C. Hines (Fairy): ★★★★
If Peter Pan has his horde of Lost Boys, then Tinker Bell can have her Found Girls. A little bit sinister twist on the tale of Peter Pan. It has its fumbling moments, but overall, I like it.
All the Time We've Left to Spend by Alyssa Wong (Robot): ★★★★★
Another robot tale in this book that steals my heart, and it STEALS like a robber, taking everything without leaving anything behind. This is a story about regret and attempted redemption, and how fetishes on (long gone) idols and celebrities can be a source of money in a society that celebrates humanlike robots oh-so-unapologetically.
Adriftica by Maria Dahvana Headley (Fairy): ★★★★★
A Rolling Stone journalist who married a quirky wife (who is not so human after all) in a dried, nearing-its-demise world closely follows a young band that turns out to be a bunch of.... beings touring around the globe looking for his wife.
The cover of this book deserves a five-star review, though.
VERY, VERY PRETTY.