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myriadreads's review against another edition
5.0
This anthology is truly fantastic!
The collection opens with "Ponies," by Kij Johnson, a piercing story about pretty girls with ponies. It made my eyes bug out; it was a stunning and heartbreaking take on the dark side of friendship and acceptance.
The book goes on to soar through many other memorable topics, including: a romantic adventure in the cloud cities of Venus, a future where death begins at birth, a Naga romance, a twentieth century Aztec society, a book with a mind of its own, and a Merman in the Midwest.
The collection opens with "Ponies," by Kij Johnson, a piercing story about pretty girls with ponies. It made my eyes bug out; it was a stunning and heartbreaking take on the dark side of friendship and acceptance.
The book goes on to soar through many other memorable topics, including: a romantic adventure in the cloud cities of Venus, a future where death begins at birth, a Naga romance, a twentieth century Aztec society, a book with a mind of its own, and a Merman in the Midwest.
francescaalexis's review
4.0
I would have appreciated a greater selection of short stories. Though individual works (Ponies, The Lady Who Plucked Red Flowers beneath the Queen's Window) are excellent, I was left feeling like I'd been grazing from a combo platter.
besha's review
4.0
Standouts: Christopher Barzak, Sweta Narayan, Kij Johnson.
Literally couldn't put it down, even while trying to stretch at the gym: Rachel Swirsky.
Skipped it because he's an insufferable wanker: Harlan Ellison™.
Almost as bad as I heard it was, but don't discount it just because of the solar whale rape: Brad Torgerson.
Literally couldn't put it down, even while trying to stretch at the gym: Rachel Swirsky.
Skipped it because he's an insufferable wanker: Harlan Ellison™.
Almost as bad as I heard it was, but don't discount it just because of the solar whale rape: Brad Torgerson.
andreablythe's review
5.0
The Nebula Awards Showcase 2012 presents a selection of winners and nominees for the Nebulas awards, including novel excerpts, novellas, novlettes, short stories, and poetry. Overall I enjoyed every story in this collect, from the straight scifi stories to the realms of fantasy.
There are many stories to love in this collection. Kij Johnson's "Ponies" is a disturbing portrayal of popularity and exclusion in young girls. "Map of Seventeen" by Christopher Barzak is a moving story about a young girl, frustrated with the world around her.
Shweta Narayan's "Pishaach" is about a girl who chooses to go mute when she learns about the mystical origins of her grandmother. She is taunted and treated as a witch, which in a way she is, as she holds sway over the local snakes with the power of her flute.
"Arvies" by Adam-Troy Castro is a delightfully disturbing tale about a future in which humanity doesn't look much like it does now (it may be for, against, or neutral on the subject of abortion, depending on your point of view, though I think it is more about the status of power in society).
Rachel Swirsky's "The Woman Who Plucked Red Flowers beneath the Queen's Window" is a stunning, epic story from the point of view of a summoned spirit, spanning epochs. The woman/spirit is an all too human character, who would rather allow harm to come to others rather than sacrifice her beliefs.
And there were many others. All around a really wonderful collection.
There are many stories to love in this collection. Kij Johnson's "Ponies" is a disturbing portrayal of popularity and exclusion in young girls. "Map of Seventeen" by Christopher Barzak is a moving story about a young girl, frustrated with the world around her.
Shweta Narayan's "Pishaach" is about a girl who chooses to go mute when she learns about the mystical origins of her grandmother. She is taunted and treated as a witch, which in a way she is, as she holds sway over the local snakes with the power of her flute.
"Arvies" by Adam-Troy Castro is a delightfully disturbing tale about a future in which humanity doesn't look much like it does now (it may be for, against, or neutral on the subject of abortion, depending on your point of view, though I think it is more about the status of power in society).
Rachel Swirsky's "The Woman Who Plucked Red Flowers beneath the Queen's Window" is a stunning, epic story from the point of view of a summoned spirit, spanning epochs. The woman/spirit is an all too human character, who would rather allow harm to come to others rather than sacrifice her beliefs.
And there were many others. All around a really wonderful collection.
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