Scan barcode
andrewhatesham's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
Minor: Miscarriage, Gun violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Abortion
stardustrohrig's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-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
5.0
This was a great collection of stories! I enjoyed all of them though there were a couple I did want to know more about what was going to happen next. That said most of them did feel complete and even the ones that didn't ended in a way that made sense for what was being told. As the description says even with the darker stories there was always a sense of possibility and hope. I'd read anything by Sim Kern at this point.
gina_readsbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
“He sees me, dude. All the bad stuff, and he still likes me. It’s…freeing.”
I’m a massive fan of Sim Kern’s work, so grabbing a copy of their short story collection ahead of the Trans Rights Readathon was a no-brainer.
This is such a visceral collection of short stories that focuses on climate change, reproductive rights, the LGBTQIA+ community, and family trauma. There is something in at least one of these stories that any reader can relate to.
There are utopias and dystopias, some of which feel like they hit too close to home considering our current political climate. But it’s stories like these that I think are so important to read, regardless of how difficult and uncomfortable they may be. Kern also includes a detailed list of trigger warnings by story which considering the subject matter was really great to see.
searobin's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a fantastic collection of short stories. I'm a bit sad that each one wasn't a full novel, because I'd absolutely read them all, but they also felt like perfectly sized windows into such different universes.
I enjoyed them all for such different reasons, it's impossible to pick favourites, or any that fell a bit short either.
I enjoyed them all for such different reasons, it's impossible to pick favourites, or any that fell a bit short either.
clara_ward's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The varied perspectives, emotions, and future possibilities explored in this collection speak to why agency and bodily autonomy are fundamental. That said, the environmental parallels and truly in the moment feel of near future, far future, and magical alternate realities are delightful (even when sad). Sim Kern has much in common with their academic-new-mom-witch character as they exceed expectations with their magical stories (and also…plants!).
Note: The author includes trigger warnings, for good reason, and points readers to Storygraph for additional notes from readers (nicely handled).
robinudell's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
merricatfromblackwood's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Some of my favourites in this collection were the Listener, Real Sugar is Hard to Find, The Propagator, and Fly-or-Die.
meganrodewald's review against another edition
5.0
A very interesting collection of short stories! I already know I will be thinking about some of these for a long time. If utopian and dystopian stories with themes of queerness, reproductive rights, and climate change sound intriguing, I’d definitely recommend it!
roseaboveitreads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25