Scan barcode
ramsfan1963's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As with any multiple artist anthology, it tended to be a mix bag of story quality, more so-so than picks. The two stories by Elizabeth Bear, Covenant and This Chance Planet, were my favorites. I also liked A Kiss With Teeth, which is suprising since I usually avoid vampire stories.
bookcraft's review against another edition
4.0
Solid anthology, though the audiobook seems to only have half the stories that the internet tells me the ebook contains.
If I were rating the stories individually, only one would be less than four stars ("This Chance Planet" by Elizabeth Bear, which wasn't bad or anything but just didn't click for me), and there are a handful of true stand-outs:
"Makeisha In Time" by Rachael K. Jones
This had a particularly fascinating premise that I'd love to see explored in a novel. (Which isn't to say that the short story was insufficient or somehow lacking, because it wasn't. It was just interesting enough that I want more. :-) )
"Toad Words" by T. Kingfisher
A new spin on an old, familiar fairytale. Both the premise and the prose are wonderful.
"The Vaporization Enthalpy of a Peculiar Pakistani Family" by Usman T. Malik
I have no idea what to say about this, other than that I really liked it and I'm going to see what else the author has written.
"The Magician And Laplace’s Demon" by Tom Crosshill
I'm going to have to listen to this again and maybe sit down and read it from the ebook, because there's a lot to absorb here — much of it merely implied and suggested — and I feel like I've only scratched the surface after the first listen.
If I were rating the stories individually, only one would be less than four stars ("This Chance Planet" by Elizabeth Bear, which wasn't bad or anything but just didn't click for me), and there are a handful of true stand-outs:
"Makeisha In Time" by Rachael K. Jones
This had a particularly fascinating premise that I'd love to see explored in a novel. (Which isn't to say that the short story was insufficient or somehow lacking, because it wasn't. It was just interesting enough that I want more. :-) )
"Toad Words" by T. Kingfisher
A new spin on an old, familiar fairytale. Both the premise and the prose are wonderful.
"The Vaporization Enthalpy of a Peculiar Pakistani Family" by Usman T. Malik
I have no idea what to say about this, other than that I really liked it and I'm going to see what else the author has written.
"The Magician And Laplace’s Demon" by Tom Crosshill
I'm going to have to listen to this again and maybe sit down and read it from the ebook, because there's a lot to absorb here — much of it merely implied and suggested — and I feel like I've only scratched the surface after the first listen.
deinonychus's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Like any anthology, there are some stories in here that I loved and some that I hated. This anthology contains several must-read stories like "The Husband Stitch" and "The Regular" but also plenty that can be passed over. Personally not a fan of Elizabeth Bear, and her repeated portrayals of "rightminding" in her writing just disturb me at this point. And not in the good, "makes ya think" way. Pick it up from your local library, the copies are almost always available. Skip what you don't like and enjoy what you do. Wouldn't spend money on it.
bibliochild's review
http://dailysciencefiction.com/fantasy/fairy-tales/eugie-foster/when-it-ends-he-catches-her
bradyemmett's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of Short Stories is fantastic, so many of them just make you stop and think and go "huh."
gingerbookaddict's review
4.0
"We were perfect together."
"We were." Aisa extended her hand to him with an imperative flourish. Dance with me.
Balege bowed, a dancer's benediction that said, Forever.
Beautiful and haunting.
"We were." Aisa extended her hand to him with an imperative flourish. Dance with me.
Balege bowed, a dancer's benediction that said, Forever.
Beautiful and haunting.
trish204's review
4.0
A short story I "found" through a night owly friend here. ;)
As with comics, I'm also new to short stories and only started because of Neil Gaiman. Then I found Mary Robinette Kowal and was equally impressed. However, when being spoilt by all the good stories, I get very suspicious whenever the next is being recommended. I'm always afraid something will ruin the experience for me.
Aaaaanyway!
This story is about ballet.
It's also about the zombie apocalypse. That is a very peculiar mix! So yeah, I was very suspicious too. I mean, I like the ballet every now and again and think it's a beautiful (yet cruel) artform but I'm not that much into it. And the combination is odd indeed.
However, the author did a splendid job in interweaving the creepyness of the end of the world with the passion of a young woman. This story is deeply psychological but very poetic at the same time. One can almost feel the joy throughout the dancing while being unable to shake that very bad feeling.
This is not a "loud" story. There are no explosions. There are no battles.
This story is quieter but still has profound impact. I think ballet gave the perfect setting for this.
As with comics, I'm also new to short stories and only started because of Neil Gaiman. Then I found Mary Robinette Kowal and was equally impressed. However, when being spoilt by all the good stories, I get very suspicious whenever the next is being recommended. I'm always afraid something will ruin the experience for me.
Aaaaanyway!
This story is about ballet.
It's also about the zombie apocalypse. That is a very peculiar mix! So yeah, I was very suspicious too. I mean, I like the ballet every now and again and think it's a beautiful (yet cruel) artform but I'm not that much into it. And the combination is odd indeed.
However, the author did a splendid job in interweaving the creepyness of the end of the world with the passion of a young woman. This story is deeply psychological but very poetic at the same time. One can almost feel the joy throughout the dancing while being unable to shake that very bad feeling.
This is not a "loud" story. There are no explosions. There are no battles.
This story is quieter but still has profound impact. I think ballet gave the perfect setting for this.
taranana's review against another edition
4.0
"The Long List Anthology" edited by David Steffen [3.75/5]
The stories in this anthology were very different in content, genre, and in how much I enjoyed them. I think the stories in this anthology were all well chosen though as I think everybody will find stories in this one as they're so different.
"The Breath of War" by Aliette de Bodard [4/5]
The setting in this story is really good. It has kind of a fantastic vibe but this story is a science-fiction story. The main character is also really likeable and she has an amazing personality. the ending was also really good. But I think the story is a bit too long in some parts.
"When it Ends, He Catches Her" by Eugie Foster [5/5]
Oh my god, this one is one of my favourite stories in this anthology and I had all my friends read it because I was that amazed. It is atmospheric, the style is amazing and this plot-twist ending...woah. This story is everything I love about short stories.
"Toad Words" by T. Kingfisher [3.5/5]
This story is really short but I think this is good because it is an idea-based story and they tend to get boring when they are too long.
"Makeisha In Time" by Rachael K. Jones [4.5/5]
The idea behind this story is amazing and I am guilty to wish to have this kind of time travelling ability. The writing style is also amazing and the story had exact the right lenght. The conflicts in this story are also understandable but to me the end was kind of meh...
"Covenant" by Elizabeth Bear [3/5]
I have to say I did not get the point of this story and that makes me a bit sad. But the story is well crafted and it wass a thrilling read. I don't know if the flashbacks are necessary but I think they kind of belonged to the story? I am not a big fan of flashbacks in short stories.
"The Truth about Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar [2/5]
Another story I missed the point of.
It is cute and the writing style is beautiful but I cannot say much of the story.
"A Kiss with Teeth" by Max Gladstone [5/5]
I already knew (and loved) this story and I happily read it again. I love this kind of vampire story and sometimes it is serious, sometimes it is hilarious. I dig this kind of stories and this twist on Vlad Dracula makes the character so much more likeable. And I love his wife and son too.
"The Vaporization Enthalpy of a Peculiar Pakistani Family" by Usman T. Malik [4.5/5]
The only problem I have with this story is that I had to google a lot of words I was not familiar with. This is not really the fault of the author but it diminished my love of the story a bit. The story is gripping and I shivered a lot. I like the relevance of the story and how it gives you hope for everything will be better some day.
"This Chance Planet" by Elizabeth Bear [3.5/5]
This one has a strong message and I would say this is worth a read if you like the story itself or not. Most of the time I am not a fan of message heavy stories but this one is executed quite well. I also love the setting in this one but this is much more on the magical realism end on the speculative fiction spectrum.
"Goodnight Stars" by Annie Bellet [5/5]
This story was taken from an anthology about apocalypse and I really enjoyed its idea how the apocalypse comes upon earth. But everything is good in this story; the main character, the realistic actions of the characters, and how there is both white and black in a world like that. but the point I love most about this story is how it shows family.
"We are the Cloud" by Sam J. Miller [4/5]
The characters in this one are really interesting (one of them has also a well implented linguistic disorder). The POV was chosen well by the author and you get really invested in theme of this story.
"The Magician and Laplace's Demon" by Tom Crosshill [4/5]
This story is really weird. I have expected something entirely different but this is a good story. The POV is different from your typical POV and I think most authors would have picked the magician as the POV but I really like this choice of the A.I.
"Spring Festival: Happiness, Anger, Love, Sorrow, Joy" by Xia Jia [4/5]
The characters in this story are all unique and offer interesting inside in their life's perspective. It also allowed insight in a different culture. And it is wonderfully atmospheric.
"The Husband Stitch" by Carmen Maria Machado
I don't want to say anything to this as I don't think Goodreads is a platform to discuss political views.
"The Bonedrake's Penance" by Yoon Ha Lee [4/5]
Another story that is different than I expected. But it is also very atmospheric and i love the family theme in this. But it takes a bit of time for the story to really begin.
"The Devil in America" by Kai Ashante Wilson [4/5]
The storytelling in this is amazing. The writing style of the author grabs you and does not allow you to not finish this story. The turning points of this story are really interesting and the characters have multiple-layers. The writing is atmospheric and all.
It is sometimes a bit confusing but what I really do not like about the story is that you need to know french to understand every part of the dialogue and I don't know any french exept "bonjour".
"The Litany of Earth" by Ruthanna Emrys [4.5/5]
I love Lovecraft's Cuthulhu mythology so when I realised this is a lovecraftian story I was very happy. this is kind of the prequel story to Emrys's lovecraftian novel (and after loving this story you better be sure I will pick up the book). This story is interesting and atmospheric and I love all the references to Lovecraft's work.
"A Guide to the Fruits of Hawaii" by Alaya Dawn Johnson [3/5]
The setting is quite interesting. This is the second vampire centric story in this anthology but it is quite different from Gladstone's "A Kiss with Teeth". In Johnson's stories the humans are not longer the dominant species but the vampires are. The characters are well crafted and the amount of worldbuilding in this story is amazing.
But I do not like the development of Key's character and the female character called rachel was annoying me to no end.
"A Year and a Day in Old Theradane" by Scott Lynch [5/5]
This is a story you expect from the man who writes the Gentlemen Basterds series. A con and amazing characters and a detailed world building.
"The Regular" by Ken Liu [4/5]
The amount of character background is fantastic for the investiagtor and it blends really well with the story. The setting is a bit cyber-punky i guess and I like how it feels like near future scincefiction. I like there are two POVs in this story. The pacing is a bit slow but that is okay.
"Grand Jeté (The Great Leap) by Rachel Swirsky [2/5]
I think I understand why people might like this story but I am not the right audience for this story. I appreciate the characterisation and the well crafted story but I am not the type of reader who likes to read about illnesses that exist in the real world and I couldn't connect with the religious themes in this story.
The stories in this anthology were very different in content, genre, and in how much I enjoyed them. I think the stories in this anthology were all well chosen though as I think everybody will find stories in this one as they're so different.
"The Breath of War" by Aliette de Bodard [4/5]
The setting in this story is really good. It has kind of a fantastic vibe but this story is a science-fiction story. The main character is also really likeable and she has an amazing personality. the ending was also really good. But I think the story is a bit too long in some parts.
"When it Ends, He Catches Her" by Eugie Foster [5/5]
Oh my god, this one is one of my favourite stories in this anthology and I had all my friends read it because I was that amazed. It is atmospheric, the style is amazing and this plot-twist ending...woah. This story is everything I love about short stories.
"Toad Words" by T. Kingfisher [3.5/5]
This story is really short but I think this is good because it is an idea-based story and they tend to get boring when they are too long.
"Makeisha In Time" by Rachael K. Jones [4.5/5]
The idea behind this story is amazing and I am guilty to wish to have this kind of time travelling ability. The writing style is also amazing and the story had exact the right lenght. The conflicts in this story are also understandable but to me the end was kind of meh...
"Covenant" by Elizabeth Bear [3/5]
I have to say I did not get the point of this story and that makes me a bit sad. But the story is well crafted and it wass a thrilling read. I don't know if the flashbacks are necessary but I think they kind of belonged to the story? I am not a big fan of flashbacks in short stories.
"The Truth about Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar [2/5]
Another story I missed the point of.
It is cute and the writing style is beautiful but I cannot say much of the story.
"A Kiss with Teeth" by Max Gladstone [5/5]
I already knew (and loved) this story and I happily read it again. I love this kind of vampire story and sometimes it is serious, sometimes it is hilarious. I dig this kind of stories and this twist on Vlad Dracula makes the character so much more likeable. And I love his wife and son too.
"The Vaporization Enthalpy of a Peculiar Pakistani Family" by Usman T. Malik [4.5/5]
The only problem I have with this story is that I had to google a lot of words I was not familiar with. This is not really the fault of the author but it diminished my love of the story a bit. The story is gripping and I shivered a lot. I like the relevance of the story and how it gives you hope for everything will be better some day.
"This Chance Planet" by Elizabeth Bear [3.5/5]
This one has a strong message and I would say this is worth a read if you like the story itself or not. Most of the time I am not a fan of message heavy stories but this one is executed quite well. I also love the setting in this one but this is much more on the magical realism end on the speculative fiction spectrum.
"Goodnight Stars" by Annie Bellet [5/5]
This story was taken from an anthology about apocalypse and I really enjoyed its idea how the apocalypse comes upon earth. But everything is good in this story; the main character, the realistic actions of the characters, and how there is both white and black in a world like that. but the point I love most about this story is how it shows family.
"We are the Cloud" by Sam J. Miller [4/5]
The characters in this one are really interesting (one of them has also a well implented linguistic disorder). The POV was chosen well by the author and you get really invested in theme of this story.
"The Magician and Laplace's Demon" by Tom Crosshill [4/5]
This story is really weird. I have expected something entirely different but this is a good story. The POV is different from your typical POV and I think most authors would have picked the magician as the POV but I really like this choice of the A.I.
"Spring Festival: Happiness, Anger, Love, Sorrow, Joy" by Xia Jia [4/5]
The characters in this story are all unique and offer interesting inside in their life's perspective. It also allowed insight in a different culture. And it is wonderfully atmospheric.
"The Husband Stitch" by Carmen Maria Machado
I don't want to say anything to this as I don't think Goodreads is a platform to discuss political views.
"The Bonedrake's Penance" by Yoon Ha Lee [4/5]
Another story that is different than I expected. But it is also very atmospheric and i love the family theme in this. But it takes a bit of time for the story to really begin.
"The Devil in America" by Kai Ashante Wilson [4/5]
The storytelling in this is amazing. The writing style of the author grabs you and does not allow you to not finish this story. The turning points of this story are really interesting and the characters have multiple-layers. The writing is atmospheric and all.
It is sometimes a bit confusing but what I really do not like about the story is that you need to know french to understand every part of the dialogue and I don't know any french exept "bonjour".
"The Litany of Earth" by Ruthanna Emrys [4.5/5]
I love Lovecraft's Cuthulhu mythology so when I realised this is a lovecraftian story I was very happy. this is kind of the prequel story to Emrys's lovecraftian novel (and after loving this story you better be sure I will pick up the book). This story is interesting and atmospheric and I love all the references to Lovecraft's work.
"A Guide to the Fruits of Hawaii" by Alaya Dawn Johnson [3/5]
The setting is quite interesting. This is the second vampire centric story in this anthology but it is quite different from Gladstone's "A Kiss with Teeth". In Johnson's stories the humans are not longer the dominant species but the vampires are. The characters are well crafted and the amount of worldbuilding in this story is amazing.
But I do not like the development of Key's character and the female character called rachel was annoying me to no end.
"A Year and a Day in Old Theradane" by Scott Lynch [5/5]
This is a story you expect from the man who writes the Gentlemen Basterds series. A con and amazing characters and a detailed world building.
"The Regular" by Ken Liu [4/5]
The amount of character background is fantastic for the investiagtor and it blends really well with the story. The setting is a bit cyber-punky i guess and I like how it feels like near future scincefiction. I like there are two POVs in this story. The pacing is a bit slow but that is okay.
"Grand Jeté (The Great Leap) by Rachel Swirsky [2/5]
I think I understand why people might like this story but I am not the right audience for this story. I appreciate the characterisation and the well crafted story but I am not the type of reader who likes to read about illnesses that exist in the real world and I couldn't connect with the religious themes in this story.
8bitlapras's review
3.0
Average rating: 3.37/5
The Breath of War by Aliette de Bodard: 2/5
When It Ends, He Catches Her by Eugie Foster: 3/5
Toad Words by T. Kingfisher: 4/5
Makeisha in Time by Rachael K. Jones: 5/5
Covenant by Elizabeth Bear: 2/5
The Truth About Owls by Amal El-Mohtar: 4.5/5
A Kiss With Teeth by Max Gladstone: 2/5
The Vaporization Enthalpy of a Peculiar Pakistani Family by Usman T. Malik: 3/5
This Chance Planet by Elizabeth Bear: 4/5
Goodnight Stars by Annie Bellet: 4.5/5
We Are the Cloud by Sam J. Miller: 2/5
The Magician and Laplace's Demon by Tom Crosshill: 2/5
Spring Festival: Happiness, Anger, Love, Sorrow, Joy by Xia Jia, translated by Ken Liu: 4/5
The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado: 4.75/5
The Bonedrake's Penance by Yoon Ha Lee: 4/5
The Devil in America by Kai Ashante Wilson: 3.5/5
The Litany of Earth by Ruthanna Emrys: 1.5/5
A Guide to the Fruits of Hawai'i by Alaya Dawn Johnson: 4.5/5
A Year and a Day in Old Theradane by Scott Lynch: 2.5/5
The Regular by Ken Liu: 3/5
Grand Jeté (The Great Leap) by Rachel Swirsky: 5/5
So basically what I learned from reading this anthology is that I despise anything Lovecraft mythos-related.
The Breath of War by Aliette de Bodard: 2/5
When It Ends, He Catches Her by Eugie Foster: 3/5
Toad Words by T. Kingfisher: 4/5
Makeisha in Time by Rachael K. Jones: 5/5
Covenant by Elizabeth Bear: 2/5
The Truth About Owls by Amal El-Mohtar: 4.5/5
A Kiss With Teeth by Max Gladstone: 2/5
The Vaporization Enthalpy of a Peculiar Pakistani Family by Usman T. Malik: 3/5
This Chance Planet by Elizabeth Bear: 4/5
Goodnight Stars by Annie Bellet: 4.5/5
We Are the Cloud by Sam J. Miller: 2/5
The Magician and Laplace's Demon by Tom Crosshill: 2/5
Spring Festival: Happiness, Anger, Love, Sorrow, Joy by Xia Jia, translated by Ken Liu: 4/5
The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado: 4.75/5
The Bonedrake's Penance by Yoon Ha Lee: 4/5
The Devil in America by Kai Ashante Wilson: 3.5/5
The Litany of Earth by Ruthanna Emrys: 1.5/5
A Guide to the Fruits of Hawai'i by Alaya Dawn Johnson: 4.5/5
A Year and a Day in Old Theradane by Scott Lynch: 2.5/5
The Regular by Ken Liu: 3/5
Grand Jeté (The Great Leap) by Rachel Swirsky: 5/5
So basically what I learned from reading this anthology is that I despise anything Lovecraft mythos-related.
eininthebird's review
4.0
3,5 ster
Zitten een paar hele interessante en goeie verhalen tussen en een paar mindere. Vond het verhaal over de vampier in mid-life crisis echt grappig. Het verhaal van de zwarte vrouw die plots opeens naar het verleden reist en er in de toekomst achterkomt dat ze uit de geschiedenis is gewist was ook echt heel heel cool en speelt al dagen achter in mn hoofd. Ook mooi dat de verhalen heel divers zijn en homoseksuele of niet-engels sprekend hoofdpersonen hebben bijvoorbeeld.
Zitten een paar hele interessante en goeie verhalen tussen en een paar mindere. Vond het verhaal over de vampier in mid-life crisis echt grappig. Het verhaal van de zwarte vrouw die plots opeens naar het verleden reist en er in de toekomst achterkomt dat ze uit de geschiedenis is gewist was ook echt heel heel cool en speelt al dagen achter in mn hoofd. Ook mooi dat de verhalen heel divers zijn en homoseksuele of niet-engels sprekend hoofdpersonen hebben bijvoorbeeld.