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dearsayuri's review against another edition
3.0
THAT was very interesting! I don't read sci-fi that much because it usually hits too close to home. SFAMB did that for sure and caused lots of musings about our future. I think the author described it very well at the acknowledgments. Somewhere between "This is awesome!" and "We are doomed!"
hannahwoycik's review against another edition
4.0
A fucking mind trip and existential crisis rolled into one insane and exciting book!
pheltzer's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sk24's review against another edition
3.0
This book is comprised of 6 different short stories that all take place in the same world. I wasn’t a huge fan of this, as there wasn’t as much time to get to know the characters and connect with them. Then, by the time you do, it changes to someone else’s story. How aggravating.
If you read the synopsis carefully (which I apparently failed to do), you’ll notice that it doesn’t actually say what the story is about. It sure makes it sound cool, but no description of an actual story. Well friends, that’s because there is no story. I mean, to be fair, there are 6 teeny tiny stories, but they are barely stories. Only a couple were developed enough for me to become attached to the characters or even care what was going on in their world.
Really, it’s just showcasing a few characters in this futuristic world that are in some way connected to these bodily manipulations that keep people alive and such. As the synopsis says, this book is “made up of six interconnected stories that ask how far we will go to remake ourselves into the perfect human specimens, and how hard that will push the definition of ‘human.'” But that’s all it is. There is no depth to the stories.
I found the world-building was lacking as well. We get to read about 6 different scenarios in this world, but we never really find out much about the world itself.
I just found most things to be under-developed. I was able to connect with and enjoy a couple of the stories, but most left me underwhelmed.
I appreciate the book’s vision into the future and the possibilities it brings forward. I’m rating this book a 3/5 merely because it is okay for what it is. I, personally, didn’t enjoy much of it, but that’s my own fault I guess for reading more into the synopsis than was actually there. Just don’t go into this book expecting it to be a novel. In my opinion, it’s not a novel. It’s a collection of short stories set in the same world through different perspectives.
If you read the synopsis carefully (which I apparently failed to do), you’ll notice that it doesn’t actually say what the story is about. It sure makes it sound cool, but no description of an actual story. Well friends, that’s because there is no story. I mean, to be fair, there are 6 teeny tiny stories, but they are barely stories. Only a couple were developed enough for me to become attached to the characters or even care what was going on in their world.
Really, it’s just showcasing a few characters in this futuristic world that are in some way connected to these bodily manipulations that keep people alive and such. As the synopsis says, this book is “made up of six interconnected stories that ask how far we will go to remake ourselves into the perfect human specimens, and how hard that will push the definition of ‘human.'” But that’s all it is. There is no depth to the stories.
I found the world-building was lacking as well. We get to read about 6 different scenarios in this world, but we never really find out much about the world itself.
I just found most things to be under-developed. I was able to connect with and enjoy a couple of the stories, but most left me underwhelmed.
I appreciate the book’s vision into the future and the possibilities it brings forward. I’m rating this book a 3/5 merely because it is okay for what it is. I, personally, didn’t enjoy much of it, but that’s my own fault I guess for reading more into the synopsis than was actually there. Just don’t go into this book expecting it to be a novel. In my opinion, it’s not a novel. It’s a collection of short stories set in the same world through different perspectives.
tasha5492's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
melissadelongcox's review against another edition
2.0
*Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!*
Okay so a couple things: this isn't a linear story (though there is a bit of a connection throughout all the stories), and for me, it took a bit to get into. The premises being Black Mirror-adjacent is what grabbed me, and the concept is really interesting. One thing I appreciated is that throughout these stories, we're seeing the same kind of things that happen today - discrimination in so many ways, and a question of how we choose who gets these special things while others don't - and it was interesting to see those issues translate into technology.
I liked it okay, but this isn't one that grabbed me or one that I'll read again, so I'm giving it two stars.
Okay so a couple things: this isn't a linear story (though there is a bit of a connection throughout all the stories), and for me, it took a bit to get into. The premises being Black Mirror-adjacent is what grabbed me, and the concept is really interesting. One thing I appreciated is that throughout these stories, we're seeing the same kind of things that happen today - discrimination in so many ways, and a question of how we choose who gets these special things while others don't - and it was interesting to see those issues translate into technology.
I liked it okay, but this isn't one that grabbed me or one that I'll read again, so I'm giving it two stars.
zanniera's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This book was full of interesting concepts told as a series of interconnected snapshots spanning decades. I enjoyed most things about it and found the characters compelling. Any of the six stories, however, would have made a good book. And, after each section finished I was left wanting more.
jbolwerk8's review against another edition
4.0
Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful (SFMB) consists of six separate yet connected short stories. Each one explores in a dramatic fashion what science has evolved to and what that could mean in the future in terms of genetic modification, organ harvesting, and disease curing. The stories progress from “a few years from now” to “they have left us far behind,” with each getting longer and including more storytelling elements.
Overall, I very much enjoyed SFMB. I was very intrigued by the concept, as I think many people grapple with how far science and technology will be able to go in improving human life and at what cost. The science concepts were novel, ranging from creating a “superheart” to a dolphin boy to slaves whose bones were reconstructed to metal. The connection between each story is very small, but it is present, and I was always waiting for the reference to be made in each story. One thing I wish would have been explored a little bit more is the ethical dilemmas that people face with scientific advancements. The contrast in this story was science to religion, and while that is valid, I was looking for more. I do highly praise the author on her voice, though. Each character was distinctly unique, and some had a sass and broke the fourth wall that I appreciated.
I would recommend SMFB to many different types of people, but especially those interested in science, dystopian worlds, and curious about what the future could potentially hold. Though this is definitely a work of fiction, it’s fun to decide where to draw the line of possibility. Booktalking this would be easy to draw readers in I feel because of the out-there topics it covers that sparks curiosity.
Overall, I very much enjoyed SFMB. I was very intrigued by the concept, as I think many people grapple with how far science and technology will be able to go in improving human life and at what cost. The science concepts were novel, ranging from creating a “superheart” to a dolphin boy to slaves whose bones were reconstructed to metal. The connection between each story is very small, but it is present, and I was always waiting for the reference to be made in each story. One thing I wish would have been explored a little bit more is the ethical dilemmas that people face with scientific advancements. The contrast in this story was science to religion, and while that is valid, I was looking for more. I do highly praise the author on her voice, though. Each character was distinctly unique, and some had a sass and broke the fourth wall that I appreciated.
I would recommend SMFB to many different types of people, but especially those interested in science, dystopian worlds, and curious about what the future could potentially hold. Though this is definitely a work of fiction, it’s fun to decide where to draw the line of possibility. Booktalking this would be easy to draw readers in I feel because of the out-there topics it covers that sparks curiosity.
gemmaj's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5