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tasharobinson's review against another edition
4.0
Even better than the last collection of stories about the idea of a Machine Of Death, which can tell you how you're going to die, but not when, or what its often opaque predictions actually mean. All the writers interpret the idea differently and make up their own worlds around this central idea, but this time out, the interpretations have a lot more range: more creativity, more playfulness, more surprises. I did a full review for The A.V. Club (not yet published), so I won't go into huge detail here, but I will say that some of these stories have really stuck with me. Particularly the one about the creative-death technician working for a supervillain, and ensuring that all the super-spies who break into the villain's island lair can be killed, even if their Machine Of Death slips predict seemingly non-violent ends. Or the one about the singer in the technofuture who makes her living by composing flattering songs about what her patron's not-very-informative death slip might mean. I'm often pretty dubious about anthologies, which usually seem to come with a lot of dross, but this one actually held me.
Full review here: http://www.avclub.com/articles/ryan-north-matthew-bennardo-david-malki-editors-th,100074/
Full review here: http://www.avclub.com/articles/ryan-north-matthew-bennardo-david-malki-editors-th,100074/
rachelhelps's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of great stories that try to subvert your expectations of what a story about a machine that predicts how you will die will be like (it's the second Machine of Death short story collection). It's a little hard to sit down and read more than two or three stories at once, but I enjoyed them over the course of several months. The genres range from far-future SF to alternative history. Fun stuff.
beentsy's review against another edition
5.0
I can't even tell you how great these stories were. Seriously, a choose your own adventure Machine of Death Story? A brochure for how to talk to your 6 year old about their CODT (cause of death testing) experience from the Department of Homeland Security - genius.
There were also stories that were so sad and painful but still amazing and beautiful.
You know, the older I get, the more I love the short story format and these were all very good short examples of the genre.
There were also stories that were so sad and painful but still amazing and beautiful.
You know, the older I get, the more I love the short story format and these were all very good short examples of the genre.
skyring's review against another edition
4.0
Old age, surrounded by loved ones. Brilliant story, exploring the edges of the envelope created by this odd machine. The cleverness of the situation and the desire to know what happened had me reading along way too fast to enjoy the tight but evocative writing. A short story that repays rereading!
shrrawat's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I was surprised to get the book, then find that it's a sequel to another book which I hadn't read. That'll teach me to read the giveaway details more closely, instead of going straight for the plot line. Still, there was no harm done, as the book was simple and clear to read, even to a fresh new reader like myself. That point alone caused me to give it two stars.
The rest of the book earned the other two stars. As I have mentioned before in my other reviews, I do have a weakness for short stories, so one can say that I'm slightly biased. But truly, the stories in this book were remarkable. It is hard for a story to stand out in an anthology, but the majority of the tales in this book managed to do just that. It also conquered another challenge many short stories face: predictability, or some stories sounding exactly the same as others. But with so many authors coming from so many different walks of life, this obstacle was cleared, with many fresh, new stories to be offered to the reader.
There are few flaws to be found in this book. Yes some plot lines in some of the stories are predictable (at least to me), and there are a few with a bit too much melodrama. But I believe that this book will be as popular as its predecessor (I think the first book was popular to demand a sequel), to both old and new fans.
The rest of the book earned the other two stars. As I have mentioned before in my other reviews, I do have a weakness for short stories, so one can say that I'm slightly biased. But truly, the stories in this book were remarkable. It is hard for a story to stand out in an anthology, but the majority of the tales in this book managed to do just that. It also conquered another challenge many short stories face: predictability, or some stories sounding exactly the same as others. But with so many authors coming from so many different walks of life, this obstacle was cleared, with many fresh, new stories to be offered to the reader.
There are few flaws to be found in this book. Yes some plot lines in some of the stories are predictable (at least to me), and there are a few with a bit too much melodrama. But I believe that this book will be as popular as its predecessor (I think the first book was popular to demand a sequel), to both old and new fans.
srgower's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book - I really thought it was great how many similar themes were found through all of the stories. Well curated!
mishafreya's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I LOVED this. Each story was totally creative and different, and many had clever twists that I totally didn't expect. Some were funny, and others were very dark. The "prompt" - humans have developed a way to predict how everyone will die, but not when, and without specifics - is interpreted very differently by each author. Some stories were better than others, but all were innovative and fun to read.
literarystrawberry's review against another edition
I honestly love the concept behind this, and I loved how unique all the stories were and how they took that concept in so many different directions. Starting off, I was totally planning on giving it four stars, but later on there were some stories that I... Don't feel comfortable recommending. xD But yeah! There were a lot of super cool stories in here and I really enjoyed reading them.
ampersandread22's review against another edition
5.0
Read this and other reviews at Ampersand Read.
I need to start reading more anthologies, if most of them are as interesting and all-around excellent as this one!
In all 31 stories, there were only a couple I felt indifferent about. Pretty good track record! I loved the different genres and different takes on the "Machine of Death." And most authors incorporated a twist, a different interpretation of the Machine's prediction that changed the character's perspective and/or how they lived their life and dealt with their prediction. I loved getting to experience twist after twist, seeing how people and characters interpreted this concept.
In fact, there are so many interesting, well-written gems in this collection, if I reviewed every one, this goodreads post would be a mile long. So I shall address only a few, but trust me: all of them are worth reading!
"Zephyr" by George Page III explores the impact of this machine on the military and soldiers going into battle, knowing the very second they are most likely to die. They are separated into two units: the Ephemerals (those whose death time is imminent) and the Invincibles (those whose death is still far off). The action was compelling and well-written, and the twist was chilling as well as interesting, opening up doors for the author as well as the reader.
"Conflagration" by D.L.E Roger tells the story of a faltering marriage, where both halves are involved in Machine of Death predictions. One horrible realization shifts the story, and the complex relationships between characters, developed even within a short story, really deepens the impact of this machine in a modern world.
"Your Choice" by Richard Salter is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE STORY! I mean, how cool is that?!
"Not Applicable" by Kyle Schoenfeld is the first published piece by this author, and I hope this guy writes a book because I love his writing style (another perk to anthologies - you discover so many new authors to explore and enjoy!). What happens when people start getting predictions that say "Not Applicable"? What happens when you discover the horrible truth behind those predictions, and need to say goodbye to everything you know? (Sorry, but it's hard to summarize this story without spoiling anything!)
And there are still so many other great stories! "Screaming, Crying, Alone, and Afraid" (Daliso Chaponda) is what would happen if the TV show Criminal Minds had access to a Machine of Death. "Apitoxin" (John Takis) is a period perfect Sherlock Holmes mystery...you know, if Sherlock found out this machine existed. "Toxoplasmosis of the Brain..." (Gord Sellar) explores the machine's impact on the AIDS epidemic. And I'm holding back from adding more.
If you enjoy Sci-Fi/Fantasy short stories at all, if this concept sounds at all interesting, go out and get this and read it and love it. I know you will!
I need to start reading more anthologies, if most of them are as interesting and all-around excellent as this one!
In all 31 stories, there were only a couple I felt indifferent about. Pretty good track record! I loved the different genres and different takes on the "Machine of Death." And most authors incorporated a twist, a different interpretation of the Machine's prediction that changed the character's perspective and/or how they lived their life and dealt with their prediction. I loved getting to experience twist after twist, seeing how people and characters interpreted this concept.
In fact, there are so many interesting, well-written gems in this collection, if I reviewed every one, this goodreads post would be a mile long. So I shall address only a few, but trust me: all of them are worth reading!
"Zephyr" by George Page III explores the impact of this machine on the military and soldiers going into battle, knowing the very second they are most likely to die. They are separated into two units: the Ephemerals (those whose death time is imminent) and the Invincibles (those whose death is still far off). The action was compelling and well-written, and the twist was chilling as well as interesting, opening up doors for the author as well as the reader.
"Conflagration" by D.L.E Roger tells the story of a faltering marriage, where both halves are involved in Machine of Death predictions. One horrible realization shifts the story, and the complex relationships between characters, developed even within a short story, really deepens the impact of this machine in a modern world.
"Your Choice" by Richard Salter is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE STORY! I mean, how cool is that?!
"Not Applicable" by Kyle Schoenfeld is the first published piece by this author, and I hope this guy writes a book because I love his writing style (another perk to anthologies - you discover so many new authors to explore and enjoy!). What happens when people start getting predictions that say "Not Applicable"? What happens when you discover the horrible truth behind those predictions, and need to say goodbye to everything you know? (Sorry, but it's hard to summarize this story without spoiling anything!)
And there are still so many other great stories! "Screaming, Crying, Alone, and Afraid" (Daliso Chaponda) is what would happen if the TV show Criminal Minds had access to a Machine of Death. "Apitoxin" (John Takis) is a period perfect Sherlock Holmes mystery...you know, if Sherlock found out this machine existed. "Toxoplasmosis of the Brain..." (Gord Sellar) explores the machine's impact on the AIDS epidemic. And I'm holding back from adding more.
If you enjoy Sci-Fi/Fantasy short stories at all, if this concept sounds at all interesting, go out and get this and read it and love it. I know you will!