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silverlotus's review
5.0
Collections of short fiction can often be very disjointed, with the styles of each author fitting poorly with the others. However, in Wrestling with Gods, each story has been very careful chosen, and also very careful placed in its position in the book, to make the reading experience an absolute joy. The book begins with a robot Jesus in Japan who just might be the real thing, progresses through to a circus with the faithful of various religions are pitted against each other, and even includes a wonderful story about the god Ganesha trying to update his look to appeal to modern worshippers.
I can honestly say there wasn't one story in this book that disappointed me. And there are more than a few that introduced worlds that I would love to explore further. All in all, this is a great collection of story stories.
(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I can honestly say there wasn't one story in this book that disappointed me. And there are more than a few that introduced worlds that I would love to explore further. All in all, this is a great collection of story stories.
(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
sdramsey's review
4.0
I really love short stories. I'm also quite partial to themed anthologies, because as both a writer and a reader I enjoy experiencing the wide and varied ways other writers interpret these themes. So when I had an opportunity* to read this anthology with the intriguing theme of "Wrestling with Gods," I jumped at the chance. Not because I'm a particularly religious person (quite the opposite) but because I was very interested to see what a diverse collection of speculative short story writers would bring to this theme. It could be a tricky and delicate one to handle.
I was delighted to find that I was by turns engaged, intrigued,and amused by the broad range of stories the anthology offered. There's little in the way of proselytizing here; I felt that the authors did an admirable job of turning their focus to the many ways humans use, define, and interpret the idea of relationships with "higher beings", and how we can be changed by those relationships. The editors, too, should be commended on their choices. A broad variety of belief systems (both real and imaginary) and writing styles are represented, presenting the reader with a new experience in every piece. Lovers of speculative fiction are in for a treat in the diversity of genres represented.
As with any anthology, I liked some stories better than others, but overall they are strong, engaging, and both solidly and beautifully told. Definitely recommended.
*I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was delighted to find that I was by turns engaged, intrigued,and amused by the broad range of stories the anthology offered. There's little in the way of proselytizing here; I felt that the authors did an admirable job of turning their focus to the many ways humans use, define, and interpret the idea of relationships with "higher beings", and how we can be changed by those relationships. The editors, too, should be commended on their choices. A broad variety of belief systems (both real and imaginary) and writing styles are represented, presenting the reader with a new experience in every piece. Lovers of speculative fiction are in for a treat in the diversity of genres represented.
As with any anthology, I liked some stories better than others, but overall they are strong, engaging, and both solidly and beautifully told. Definitely recommended.
*I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
edwindownward's review
3.0
This anthology had a few more downs that I would have liked but enough ups to keep going.
Honourable mention goes to: Summon The Sun and Soul Survivor.
Honourable mention goes to: Summon The Sun and Soul Survivor.
the_original_shelf_monkey's review
4.0
Highlights include: “The Harsh Light of Morning”, David Jón Fuller’s mix of vampirism, Christianity, and the horrors of the Canadian Indian residential school system; Derwin Maks’ study of free will and A.I., “Mecha-Jesus”; the weirdly wonderful gladiatorial combat fantasy of Alyxandra Harvey’s “The Faith Circus”; and Janet K. Nicolson’s “A Cut and a Prayer”, a Philip K. Dick-ian amalgam of Islamic faith, the search for meaning, and brain surgery. Wrestling With Gods is a winner through and through; you’ll be pondering the stories for days afterwards.
Read more at the Redeblog.
Read more at the Redeblog.
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