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witch_dagger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the story with Jades' birth of their clutch and Moon totally stressed out about it :)
kivt's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not usually a huge fan of short stories, but all of these were fantastic.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
5.0
This is a collection of two novellas and three short stories set in Wells's Books of the Raksura fantasy series. It's the fifth book in the Raksura series, following after three novels and one other story collection, all of which I have devoured in the past month. I am past the point of being able to offer clearsighted, unbiased feedback. Instead, I've turned into a devout and partisan fan, who just wants to babble about how much I like Moon. So: I am very, very partial to the characters, most especially the central figure of Moon, whom I find likable in pretty much every respect. I am also a huge fan of Stone, my favorite of the supporting characters. And I am also very partial to the beautifully-imagined world with its many different and fascinating sentient species (and fantastic trees as well). Yes. I am a fangirl (fanwoman?)
For those who want a little more concrete information, I can report that both novellas feature Moon, one being set before he meets the other Raksura, and one being set a while after book three. I can also report that I thoroughly enjoyed both novellas and the three short stories, and that one of the short stories is set in the same world but with new, non-Raksuran characters. I note that the second of the novellas contains a development in Moon's adventures that I had been anticipating and that I found most satisfactory. I very highly recommend this collection, but it's probably best to begin at the beginning with book one in the series, "The Cloud Roads."
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
For those who want a little more concrete information, I can report that both novellas feature Moon, one being set before he meets the other Raksura, and one being set a while after book three. I can also report that I thoroughly enjoyed both novellas and the three short stories, and that one of the short stories is set in the same world but with new, non-Raksuran characters. I note that the second of the novellas contains a development in Moon's adventures that I had been anticipating and that I found most satisfactory. I very highly recommend this collection, but it's probably best to begin at the beginning with book one in the series, "The Cloud Roads."
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
mug23's review against another edition
The Dark Earth Below was my favorite from this and the other stories were good too
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
The Dead City (4/5)
A story about Moon, just after he's confronted the Fell and is wandering, lost and alone. He comes across a small fishing village and gets drawn into a local drama in spite of himself. The story adds another half dozen races to the already stuffed roster of the Raksura stories, but Wells' fantastic world building and story telling mean that they never feel shoehorned into the narrative. Good stuff.
Mimesis (4/5)
While on a routine trading mission, one young warrior gets into some trouble. Jade has to find him and bring him home. This is a short story but it has a lot of good action and some nice insights into Jade’s character.
Trading Lesson (4/5)
When a trading group comes calling, Moon has occasion to reflect on the different values of different cultures. And to teach Rill about the delicate art of negotiating. Light on plot, heavy on insights into Moon and his ongoing troubles fully assimilating into Raksuran life.
The Almost Last Voyage of the Wind-Ship Escarpment (3/5)
A small band of traders agrees to carry a ransom to a group of pirates. Adventures ensue. This is a new story set in the Three Worlds but with all new characters. It’s a good story and I hope these characters return in a new series of some sort.
The Dark Earth Below (5/5)
The Raksura’s forrest floor dwelling neighbors, the Kek, send a request for help. Moon, Stone, Pearl, and others do their best to find out what happened to their friends, all while Jade prepares to have her first clutch. Not only is this a good story on its own, it further builds out the world around the Raksuras’ tree and lets us check in with Moon and Jade as their family grows. Just about perfect.
A story about Moon, just after he's confronted the Fell and is wandering, lost and alone. He comes across a small fishing village and gets drawn into a local drama in spite of himself. The story adds another half dozen races to the already stuffed roster of the Raksura stories, but Wells' fantastic world building and story telling mean that they never feel shoehorned into the narrative. Good stuff.
Mimesis (4/5)
While on a routine trading mission, one young warrior gets into some trouble. Jade has to find him and bring him home. This is a short story but it has a lot of good action and some nice insights into Jade’s character.
Trading Lesson (4/5)
When a trading group comes calling, Moon has occasion to reflect on the different values of different cultures. And to teach Rill about the delicate art of negotiating. Light on plot, heavy on insights into Moon and his ongoing troubles fully assimilating into Raksuran life.
The Almost Last Voyage of the Wind-Ship Escarpment (3/5)
A small band of traders agrees to carry a ransom to a group of pirates. Adventures ensue. This is a new story set in the Three Worlds but with all new characters. It’s a good story and I hope these characters return in a new series of some sort.
The Dark Earth Below (5/5)
The Raksura’s forrest floor dwelling neighbors, the Kek, send a request for help. Moon, Stone, Pearl, and others do their best to find out what happened to their friends, all while Jade prepares to have her first clutch. Not only is this a good story on its own, it further builds out the world around the Raksuras’ tree and lets us check in with Moon and Jade as their family grows. Just about perfect.
ed_w's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
humvee's review against another edition
4.0
Ideally to be read between "The Edge of Worlds" and "Harbors of the Sun"
There is a major life event that takes place in the final story of this collection that slots right into the opening chapter of "Harbors of the Sun". It's not critical that you read these short stories before reading the fifth novel in the Books of the Raksura series, but I had read "Harbors" before reading "Stories of the Raksura, Volume Two" and was left wondering if I had mistakenly skipped a novel. I hadn't - it takes place in "The Dark Earth Below" novella. These interlude stories are not critical, but they do add to the rich world building that Martha Wells is known for. I always look forward to any tidbits I can glean about the life of Moon, and the court of Indigo Cloud.
There is a major life event that takes place in the final story of this collection that slots right into the opening chapter of "Harbors of the Sun". It's not critical that you read these short stories before reading the fifth novel in the Books of the Raksura series, but I had read "Harbors" before reading "Stories of the Raksura, Volume Two" and was left wondering if I had mistakenly skipped a novel. I hadn't - it takes place in "The Dark Earth Below" novella. These interlude stories are not critical, but they do add to the rich world building that Martha Wells is known for. I always look forward to any tidbits I can glean about the life of Moon, and the court of Indigo Cloud.
elee2013's review against another edition
5.0
5 ⭐️
Honestly, low key upset this is the last of the Raksura books! I would religiously read this universe, a la Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series (legit had to stop buying those in print as they have filled an entire bookshelf).
Moon and Stone and Jade and Balm and Merit and even Pearl ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m already primed for a reread, and it’s only been a few months since I read the first one!
This collection struck a chord with me. I enjoyed it opening with a “before” Moon, just after he’s had a truly good scare. But he still goes about his usual business of reluctantly helping groundlings when they’re being unfairly attacked. I imagine a far future Moon as a line grandfather, still grumpily doing things he should not be doing, simply because he wants to help. And to wrap with an interesting and scary(!) attack on the Kek/the colony tree while Jade and Moon are days from their first clutch! Mystery, action, pregnancy hormones… and MW of course perfectly frames the emotions of a new parent. Her ability to switch between “showing” emotions, and writing the details of an amazing action scene is next level. To top it off, she’s ahead of the curve for inclusivity, especially in exploring interacting with the gender spectrum.
Honestly, low key upset this is the last of the Raksura books! I would religiously read this universe, a la Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series (legit had to stop buying those in print as they have filled an entire bookshelf).
Moon and Stone and Jade and Balm and Merit and even Pearl ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m already primed for a reread, and it’s only been a few months since I read the first one!
This collection struck a chord with me. I enjoyed it opening with a “before” Moon, just after he’s had a truly good scare. But he still goes about his usual business of reluctantly helping groundlings when they’re being unfairly attacked. I imagine a far future Moon as a line grandfather, still grumpily doing things he should not be doing, simply because he wants to help. And to wrap with an interesting and scary(!) attack on the Kek/the colony tree while Jade and Moon are days from their first clutch! Mystery, action, pregnancy hormones… and MW of course perfectly frames the emotions of a new parent. Her ability to switch between “showing” emotions, and writing the details of an amazing action scene is next level. To top it off, she’s ahead of the curve for inclusivity, especially in exploring interacting with the gender spectrum.
jaipal's review against another edition
4.0
Stories of the Raksura introduced Martha Wells to me. I enjoyed this collection of short stories and makes me want to read more. I prefer volume 1 but both are good. I'm missing a bit of backstory which I'm assuming is told in the novels. Even then, the stories are all written and makes me want to read more. Well done.