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britt_muse's review
5.0
This was such a great short-story collection. My favorites were "The Blue Afternoon that Lasted Forever" and "Special Automatic"
leahshak's review
4.0
*Miss Gloria 3/5
*The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever 5/5
*Jack, The Determined 2.5/5 (was not bad just very short)
*The Executor 3.75/5
*Helmet 3.5/5
*Blood Memory 4/5
*Foul Weather 5/5
*The Nostalgist 3/5
*Parasite: A Robopocalypse Story 2.5/5
*God Made 4/5
*Garden of Life 2.5/5
*All Kinds of Proof 3.5/5
*One for Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story 4/5
*Special Automatic 5/5
Overall a 4/5
*The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever 5/5
*Jack, The Determined 2.5/5 (was not bad just very short)
*The Executor 3.75/5
*Helmet 3.5/5
*Blood Memory 4/5
*Foul Weather 5/5
*The Nostalgist 3/5
*Parasite: A Robopocalypse Story 2.5/5
*God Made 4/5
*Garden of Life 2.5/5
*All Kinds of Proof 3.5/5
*One for Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story 4/5
*Special Automatic 5/5
Overall a 4/5
grapie_deltaco's review
5.0
4.5⭐️
A haunting, disturbing, and (at times) claustrophobic collection of dark adult sci-fi stories that get told through different styles from one author. From the apocalypse to fighting tyrannical men in power to vengeance, we explore numerous themes in stories suspended in time.
There’s a true sense of fear and hopelessness that runs through the minds of this cast of characters. I think I much prefer this book to Robopocalypse.
There’s one issue I couldn’t really ignore that I understand probably wasn’t done intentionally but is still something I noticed regardless. In the story Blood Memory, I couldn’t help but be a bit uncomfortable with the multiple mentions of how dark-skinned the little Black girl was when she is also the villain of the story. Beatrix is a monster with a mind distorted beyond correction and to put emphasis that she’s a dark skinned girl was definitely…a choice.
Overall, this collection was difficult to put down and regularly gut wrenching.
CW: death, grief, murder, torture, slavery, kidnapping, animal cruelty, dated language in reference to indigenous people, reference to genocide, reference to rape, ableism (& frequent use of r-slur), mentions of child abuse
A haunting, disturbing, and (at times) claustrophobic collection of dark adult sci-fi stories that get told through different styles from one author. From the apocalypse to fighting tyrannical men in power to vengeance, we explore numerous themes in stories suspended in time.
There’s a true sense of fear and hopelessness that runs through the minds of this cast of characters. I think I much prefer this book to Robopocalypse.
There’s one issue I couldn’t really ignore that I understand probably wasn’t done intentionally but is still something I noticed regardless. In the story Blood Memory, I couldn’t help but be a bit uncomfortable with the multiple mentions of how dark-skinned the little Black girl was when she is also the villain of the story. Beatrix is a monster with a mind distorted beyond correction and to put emphasis that she’s a dark skinned girl was definitely…a choice.
Overall, this collection was difficult to put down and regularly gut wrenching.
CW: death, grief, murder, torture, slavery, kidnapping, animal cruelty, dated language in reference to indigenous people, reference to genocide, reference to rape, ableism (& frequent use of r-slur), mentions of child abuse
stiricide's review
3.0
I somehow came in to owning an ARC of this and I picked it up really not expecting much. Robocalypse didn't do anything special for me, but here were some mindless short stories I could palate cleanse with.
I was surprised. Wilson's writing has definitely evolved since that first novel, and even if some of the subject matter is a bit rehashed (The Nostalgist seems to take more than a page or two from some Stanislaw Lem, for example), it's a quick, enjoyable little anthology.
I was surprised. Wilson's writing has definitely evolved since that first novel, and even if some of the subject matter is a bit rehashed (The Nostalgist seems to take more than a page or two from some Stanislaw Lem, for example), it's a quick, enjoyable little anthology.
tyler_j's review
4.0
Avg-3.93
I really enjoyed this anthology! Many of the stories were very emotional, and it on different themes using robots to enhance the messages. Out of 14 stories there was only 1 (Blood Memory) I didn't like, which is awesome for an anthology, or collection really! The rest I loved to varying degrees, with my favorites being "The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever", "The Executor", "One for Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story" and "Special Automatic". One for Sorrow makes me realize I need to read A Clockwork Dynasty! So glad I read this, having picked it up for a group read. It spoke very much to the human and emotional side of things for me, not being too heavy on the science, which I loved personally!
I really enjoyed this anthology! Many of the stories were very emotional, and it on different themes using robots to enhance the messages. Out of 14 stories there was only 1 (Blood Memory) I didn't like, which is awesome for an anthology, or collection really! The rest I loved to varying degrees, with my favorites being "The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever", "The Executor", "One for Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story" and "Special Automatic". One for Sorrow makes me realize I need to read A Clockwork Dynasty! So glad I read this, having picked it up for a group read. It spoke very much to the human and emotional side of things for me, not being too heavy on the science, which I loved personally!
iamapierce's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
kazuya's review
3.0
Just finished the first story and the half of the second, I decided I wouldn't go further. It feels a bit shallow and needs deeper research on the subjects. I'd come back if there's something in the rest.
pun_intended's review
5.0
I absolutely adore Daniel H. Wilson's writing. I'm fascinated by the way he is able to play with that line between mechanically calculating and empathetic humanity. In this story collection he bends that line to an uncomfortable degree. The interplay between people and their technology opens all kinds of ethical considerations and forces the reader to consider that a broken soul may be more terrifying than rogue A.I.
I don't normally enjoy short story collections, but I was captivated throughout. The last story was deeply disturbing to me, both for it's use of some cruel language, and lack of redemption. But, it goes back to the aforementioned point: broken humans sow and reap brokenly tragic realities.
I don't normally enjoy short story collections, but I was captivated throughout. The last story was deeply disturbing to me, both for it's use of some cruel language, and lack of redemption. But, it goes back to the aforementioned point: broken humans sow and reap brokenly tragic realities.
beckylej's review
5.0
Technology, science, and humanity collide in Daniel H. Wilson's newest, a collection of shorts featuring bits and pieces of all three of those subjects.
In the opening tale, "Miss Gloria", a robot does its utmost best to save the child it's been created to teach and protect. In "Helmet" a boy learns the all too horrific truth about the electronic monsters that plague his world. "Parasite: A Robopocalypse Story" brings us back to the world of Robopocalypse and "One For Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story" brings us back to, you guessed it, A Clockwork Dynasty!
The book is a mix of previously published pieces and pieces new to the collection. "The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever", which finds a father racing home to be with his daughter as a disaster he's one of the few to recognize looms, appeared in Carbide Tipped Pens. "God Mode" appeared Press Start to Play, and the aforementioned "Parasite" actually appeared in 21st Century Dead.
Altogether, it's a really fantastic collection. Some of the tales are poignant and touching. Others are downright scary. All of them are utterly thought provoking and wonderful. I should note, too, that this is the first time Wilson's shorts have appeared together in one place. If you haven't read him before, this is a great starting place. And if you're a longtime fan, this is definitely a must have for your collection!
Here's the full TOC:
"Miss Gloria"
"The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever"
"Jack, the Determined"
"The Executor"
"Helmet"
"Blood Memory"
"Foul Weather"
"The Nostalgist"
"Parasite: A Robopocalypse Story"
"God Mode"
"Garden of Life"
"All Kinds of Proof"
"One for Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story"
"Special Automatic"
In the opening tale, "Miss Gloria", a robot does its utmost best to save the child it's been created to teach and protect. In "Helmet" a boy learns the all too horrific truth about the electronic monsters that plague his world. "Parasite: A Robopocalypse Story" brings us back to the world of Robopocalypse and "One For Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story" brings us back to, you guessed it, A Clockwork Dynasty!
The book is a mix of previously published pieces and pieces new to the collection. "The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever", which finds a father racing home to be with his daughter as a disaster he's one of the few to recognize looms, appeared in Carbide Tipped Pens. "God Mode" appeared Press Start to Play, and the aforementioned "Parasite" actually appeared in 21st Century Dead.
Altogether, it's a really fantastic collection. Some of the tales are poignant and touching. Others are downright scary. All of them are utterly thought provoking and wonderful. I should note, too, that this is the first time Wilson's shorts have appeared together in one place. If you haven't read him before, this is a great starting place. And if you're a longtime fan, this is definitely a must have for your collection!
Here's the full TOC:
"Miss Gloria"
"The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever"
"Jack, the Determined"
"The Executor"
"Helmet"
"Blood Memory"
"Foul Weather"
"The Nostalgist"
"Parasite: A Robopocalypse Story"
"God Mode"
"Garden of Life"
"All Kinds of Proof"
"One for Sorrow: A Clockwork Dynasty Story"
"Special Automatic"