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ninj's review
4.0
Seemed a little formulaic at first, but then it got quite interesting as I could see where it was going, and by the end I really liked this one - it used the format and structure well to enhance the content.
pickett22's review
4.0
The shorts that go with this series are often very painful.
This is one of them.
This is one of them.
mechbutterfly's review
3.0
Collections and anthologies usually are a mixed bag for me - and this issue was no different: Some stories I liked more than others, but overall I enjoyed all of them. Rat-catcher by Seanan McGuire certainly was my highlight, the reason I bought this. Because...well, Tybalt!!! There really doesn't need any other reason ;)
And it turned out to be a 4-5-stars read as expected. But - I'm also quite content with the rest of issue (3 stars for: I had a good time) and it won't be my last one for sure.
And it turned out to be a 4-5-stars read as expected. But - I'm also quite content with the rest of issue (3 stars for: I had a good time) and it won't be my last one for sure.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Loved reading this short story, when Tybalt was Rand, and how he became King! Sad but such a wonderful read!
jellyfish_7's review
5.0
It is not every day that I change my mind about the rating (and usually I stick to the first/original one, since most likely I would give the book less stars than more), but I keep remembering this short story and it is a strong indication that it did leave an impression. So yeah, in my opinion this means that it deserves all that I can give.
beam_baum's review
3.0
Science Fiction:
1. "Welcome to the Medical Clinic at the Interplanetary Relay Station | Hours Since the Last Patient Death: 0"
Pretty funny choose-your-adventure sequence. Pokes fun at science fiction tropes but definitely earnestly, not meanly. 3/5
2. "The Mars Convention"
Really liked this one, where historians and anthropologists in the future dissect human science fiction works to understand our race. Another funny one, though I thought the ending was a tad trite. 3.5/5
3. "RedKing"
Actually didn't like this one at all. Probably because I'm biased--never can appreciate anything to do with hackers unless the trope is dealt with less conventionally. 2/5
4. "The Waiting Stars"
Loved this one. Definitely like the author's short fiction more than her longer work, maybe because in short fiction she is forced to condense all her emotional beats/cool fantasy elements and the story is much tighter than her full-length stuff. Could definitely parse out some Loved the parallel storylines and how they merged together in the end. Also liked the minimal exposition and how the reader has to work to piece it together. 4.5/5
Fantasy:
1. "The Premature Burials"
This was interesting. Very Gothic horror, which is not something I usually go for but in the end this was just the right amount of sweetly terrifying. 3.5/5
2. "Sparks Fly"
Guy who is afflicted with a condition that makes sparks fly under his skin when he's excited meets a nice girl and is scared of chasing her away. Pass. Unoriginal content, unoriginal execution. 1/5
3. "Rat-Catcher"
I actually quite liked this one lmao, though for some reason I didn't expect to. (Also read this with zero knowledge of the October Daye series) 3/5
4. "Michael Doesn't Hate His Mother"
This was a weird one--two siblings live with a robotic machine as a mother, but no one else notices. Sounds cooler in theory than in reality. 2.5/5
Novella: "Miller's Wife"
Interesting concept of a woman called Esther Miller as the 'spirit of the valley' of a rural town, who tries to run away but in the end is kind of reborn after a devastating (cleansing?) fire and joins the main character, an initial stranger to the place. Wasn't that impressed with the typical woodland spirit succubus bit though. 2.5/5
In the end, I thought the Science Fiction section was definitely stronger, with my favorite being "The Waiting Stars" and my least favorite "Sparks Fly". I'm trying out the Lightspeed kindle subscription right now and looking at the quality of the stuff I might just continue after my free trial's over--it's only $2.99 per issue after all.
1. "Welcome to the Medical Clinic at the Interplanetary Relay Station | Hours Since the Last Patient Death: 0"
Pretty funny choose-your-adventure sequence. Pokes fun at science fiction tropes but definitely earnestly, not meanly. 3/5
2. "The Mars Convention"
Really liked this one, where historians and anthropologists in the future dissect human science fiction works to understand our race. Another funny one, though I thought the ending was a tad trite. 3.5/5
3. "RedKing"
Actually didn't like this one at all. Probably because I'm biased--never can appreciate anything to do with hackers unless the trope is dealt with less conventionally. 2/5
4. "The Waiting Stars"
Loved this one. Definitely like the author's short fiction more than her longer work, maybe because in short fiction she is forced to condense all her emotional beats/cool fantasy elements and the story is much tighter than her full-length stuff. Could definitely parse out some Loved the parallel storylines and how they merged together in the end. Also liked the minimal exposition and how the reader has to work to piece it together. 4.5/5
Fantasy:
1. "The Premature Burials"
This was interesting. Very Gothic horror, which is not something I usually go for but in the end this was just the right amount of sweetly terrifying. 3.5/5
2. "Sparks Fly"
Guy who is afflicted with a condition that makes sparks fly under his skin when he's excited meets a nice girl and is scared of chasing her away. Pass. Unoriginal content, unoriginal execution. 1/5
3. "Rat-Catcher"
I actually quite liked this one lmao, though for some reason I didn't expect to. (Also read this with zero knowledge of the October Daye series) 3/5
4. "Michael Doesn't Hate His Mother"
This was a weird one--two siblings live with a robotic machine as a mother, but no one else notices. Sounds cooler in theory than in reality. 2.5/5
Novella: "Miller's Wife"
Interesting concept of a woman called Esther Miller as the 'spirit of the valley' of a rural town, who tries to run away but in the end is kind of reborn after a devastating (cleansing?) fire and joins the main character, an initial stranger to the place. Wasn't that impressed with the typical woodland spirit succubus bit though. 2.5/5
In the end, I thought the Science Fiction section was definitely stronger, with my favorite being "The Waiting Stars" and my least favorite "Sparks Fly". I'm trying out the Lightspeed kindle subscription right now and looking at the quality of the stuff I might just continue after my free trial's over--it's only $2.99 per issue after all.
wealhtheow's review
2.0
You are a nameless human person on a space station seeking medical care. The story of your attempt to get treated is told in the form of a choose your own adventure. Inevitably, every effort you make just worsens your condition. The format evoked a small amount of humor, example:
Nominated for a Nebula award. Can be read online here
"Q. There is nothing in the story that directs you to this section, so if you are reading this, you have failed to follow instructions. Go directly to Z and die your horrible, painful death. Or skip to somewhere else, since you clearly aren’t playing by the rules anyway."but I just didn't find it that funny. And there's nothing else to it; no personalities, no plot, no worldbuilding.
Nominated for a Nebula award. Can be read online here