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laurajaylive's review against another edition
4.0
What an odd story that defies all scientific possibilities. Dystopian, disturbing plants gaining consciousness, and a story of love and connection. It was so odd, but I have to admit, I got a little sucked in.
sprainedbrain's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.5
laurenxochitl's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.75
julesbarthe10's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
this was two short stories in one book. The first, the beauty, was a dystopian world where all of the women have died due to a weird fungus. None of the men were affected though and have created a new civilization amongst themselves. THEN mushrooms start growing to the size of human women and start portraying all of the function of women. Then men are torn on how to deal with this. Love them or Kill them?
The 2nd book i didnt really care about lol
The 2nd book i didnt really care about lol
mochipandabear's review
3.0
Redoing this long review. Wasn’t for me at the moment when I decided to pick it up. If you like commentary on gender roles then this is a great pick for you! I was just disappointed the buildup to the Beauty in the story wasn’t longer. It felt like it rushed to get them in the picture.
Maybe I’m just too used to some of the horror too. Whatever you think, give it a try if you even remotely think you’d like it! I think that’s the best way to go about this book :)
Maybe I’m just too used to some of the horror too. Whatever you think, give it a try if you even remotely think you’d like it! I think that’s the best way to go about this book :)
goblintales's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
flying_monkeys's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
So good!!! This edition contains two novellas - "The Beauty" and "Peace, Pipe" - both of which are nearly perfect. Why not 5 stars then? Because I wanted MORE!!!
In gender-bending "The Beauty," we're asked to contemplate, what is woman and her many roles (lover, wife, mother, sister, teacher, storyteller)? It's not the first story to suggest that in the absence of cisgender women, their male counterparts would adapt, both emotionally and physically. But it's the first story I've read that felt true - deeply, painfully human... in a world with creepy mushroom people.
"Peace, Pipe" explores the power of words and language as a tool to bridge gaps or wage wars.
4.5 stars
(And I will read whatever Aliya Whiteley publishes next.)
"If they were at war with their emotions, thinking was the best weapon they possessed."
"But what is more universal than time? Every creature marks it, in one way or another. I've yet to find one who doesn't age."
"The higher up you go, the less you need to express regret. Instead you simply rewrite to suit."
"They pillaged each language and concept that appealed. A large language, containing over one million words, will hold so many corpses within it. In the process of ingestion many original meanings will be lost, and new ones will be born."
"In a world of so many beings, these descriptions only serve the purpose of telling others how I fit amongst them. How I can be separated, and picked out from the crowd. They matter only when I'm amongst others who are so similar in form and function that we are all desperate to find the delineations."
In gender-bending "The Beauty," we're asked to contemplate, what is woman and her many roles (lover, wife, mother, sister, teacher, storyteller)? It's not the first story to suggest that in the absence of cisgender women, their male counterparts would adapt, both emotionally and physically. But it's the first story I've read that felt true - deeply, painfully human... in a world with creepy mushroom people.
"Peace, Pipe" explores the power of words and language as a tool to bridge gaps or wage wars.
4.5 stars
(And I will read whatever Aliya Whiteley publishes next.)
"If they were at war with their emotions, thinking was the best weapon they possessed."
"But what is more universal than time? Every creature marks it, in one way or another. I've yet to find one who doesn't age."
"The higher up you go, the less you need to express regret. Instead you simply rewrite to suit."
"They pillaged each language and concept that appealed. A large language, containing over one million words, will hold so many corpses within it. In the process of ingestion many original meanings will be lost, and new ones will be born."
"In a world of so many beings, these descriptions only serve the purpose of telling others how I fit amongst them. How I can be separated, and picked out from the crowd. They matter only when I'm amongst others who are so similar in form and function that we are all desperate to find the delineations."
randiofborg's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
obnoxiouslyollie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5