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nagornaya's review
3.0
I loved some of the concepts in this collection - particularly those in 'The Adoption' by Anne Charnock and 'A Darker Wave' by Molly Flatt.
The selected short stories are all very different in topic and tone, and some appealed to me more than others. I think I'm too squeamish for Cassandra Khaw's visceral prose - it was so brilliantly bloody that I almost had to look away at some parts!
I don't read science fiction very often, but a lot of the titles on the 'Suggested reading' list at the end of the book attracted my eye. A very thoughtful way to end a carefully curated collection.
The selected short stories are all very different in topic and tone, and some appealed to me more than others. I think I'm too squeamish for Cassandra Khaw's visceral prose - it was so brilliantly bloody that I almost had to look away at some parts!
I don't read science fiction very often, but a lot of the titles on the 'Suggested reading' list at the end of the book attracted my eye. A very thoughtful way to end a carefully curated collection.
havelock's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
thistle_and_verse's review
3.0
I only read Ytasha Womack's short. I'd heard her discussing her motivation for writing it and some of the guiding principles of her work and was intrigued. I ended up liking the concept more than the execution. It was a poem, which isn't really my thing.
birdwithabrain's review
3.0
Overall, this was a good anthology but some stories definitely appealed to me more than others. I liked the premise - female science fiction authors exploring their visions of the future - and the breadth of areas within science fiction explored. The stories were arranged in chronological order, from closest to the present day to farthest in the future. The finale was a poem based on 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K Dick.
'The Cure for Jet Lag' by Madeline Ashby focused on Kristen, the chief of staff at a technology company, trying to pitch an idea to an eccentric billionaire. Unfortunately, I found this one of the weakest stories. I didn't connect at all with any of the characters - they felt more like 2D caricatures than fully developed individuals. Women were very much perceived as inferior and sexual objects. There was also far too much explaining of the slightly futuristic world, rather than allowing it to develop as the story went on. The idea was interesting but it wasn't for me. (2*)
'The Adoption' by Anne Charnock was about Rudy and Simone, a couple who had decided to adopt a baby. However, technology had advanced enough for adoption to take place in the second or third trimester, with foetuses developing outside the body in artificial wombs. I found this a fascinating concept, but again struggled to connect to the characters or their difficulties. They also had no chemistry as a married couple (which may have been a deliberate choice, but it didn't work for me). (2*)
'A Darker Wave' by Molly Flatt was a neuroscience fiction story about a drug that removed the need for sleep. It was brilliantly written and the science was developed and explained enough that you wanted to believe it was possible. The main character, Ellis, felt believable and 3D and I empathised with her throughout the story. (4.5*)
'There are Wolves in these Woods' by Cassandra Khaw was the most different story to classic science fiction, although it contained plenty of science elements. It focused on futuristic dating, and a group of women who hunted sexual predators. The writing was very lyrical and made liberal use of metaphor. I expect it will really appeal to some readers, but it wasn't for me. (2*)
'Chrysalis' by Becky Chambers I was really looking forward to, because I've always loved her work. It didn't disappoint. The main character was a mother whose daughter wanted to be an Explorer - a pilot who flew into deep space. Despite being the shortest story in the collection it was engaging and emotional, and the twist at the end was brilliant. (5*)
'In the God-Fields' by Liz Williams was about a 'curomantic heirophage' - essentially a priestess - on a journey to deliver a sacred scroll. The world-building was fascinating and incredibly detailed for a short-story, yet without any lengthy paragraphs of description that detracted from the plot. The main character was well-developed and intriguing. I would happily read a full-length novel set in this universe. (4.5*)
'Androids Dream of Electronic Freedom' I am reluctant to comment on as I have never read 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' I enjoyed it and thought it was cleverly done, but I have likely missed many of the nuances.
This anthology is available as a free epub - if you are intrigued, I recommend downloading it.
'The Cure for Jet Lag' by Madeline Ashby focused on Kristen, the chief of staff at a technology company, trying to pitch an idea to an eccentric billionaire. Unfortunately, I found this one of the weakest stories. I didn't connect at all with any of the characters - they felt more like 2D caricatures than fully developed individuals. Women were very much perceived as inferior and sexual objects. There was also far too much explaining of the slightly futuristic world, rather than allowing it to develop as the story went on. The idea was interesting but it wasn't for me. (2*)
'The Adoption' by Anne Charnock was about Rudy and Simone, a couple who had decided to adopt a baby. However, technology had advanced enough for adoption to take place in the second or third trimester, with foetuses developing outside the body in artificial wombs. I found this a fascinating concept, but again struggled to connect to the characters or their difficulties. They also had no chemistry as a married couple (which may have been a deliberate choice, but it didn't work for me). (2*)
'A Darker Wave' by Molly Flatt was a neuroscience fiction story about a drug that removed the need for sleep. It was brilliantly written and the science was developed and explained enough that you wanted to believe it was possible. The main character, Ellis, felt believable and 3D and I empathised with her throughout the story. (4.5*)
'There are Wolves in these Woods' by Cassandra Khaw was the most different story to classic science fiction, although it contained plenty of science elements. It focused on futuristic dating, and a group of women who hunted sexual predators. The writing was very lyrical and made liberal use of metaphor. I expect it will really appeal to some readers, but it wasn't for me. (2*)
'Chrysalis' by Becky Chambers I was really looking forward to, because I've always loved her work. It didn't disappoint. The main character was a mother whose daughter wanted to be an Explorer - a pilot who flew into deep space. Despite being the shortest story in the collection it was engaging and emotional, and the twist at the end was brilliant. (5*)
'In the God-Fields' by Liz Williams was about a 'curomantic heirophage' - essentially a priestess - on a journey to deliver a sacred scroll. The world-building was fascinating and incredibly detailed for a short-story, yet without any lengthy paragraphs of description that detracted from the plot. The main character was well-developed and intriguing. I would happily read a full-length novel set in this universe. (4.5*)
'Androids Dream of Electronic Freedom' I am reluctant to comment on as I have never read 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' I enjoyed it and thought it was cleverly done, but I have likely missed many of the nuances.
This anthology is available as a free epub - if you are intrigued, I recommend downloading it.
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