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leilaxx's review
2.0
I could not get into the book, characters or plot of each different chapter. I was intrigued by the first chapter, but I couldn't get through the next few.
benghan's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot even begin to do justice to how much I loved this collection. I am excited to welcome my fairy/robot overlords. my electronic devices/little winged backyard visitors are not holding me at gunpoint to incentivize the five stars
readergrace's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is a perfect example of why you should never judge a book by its cover (or title). I picked this up at my local library thinking it would be silly, outrageous and — to be honest — not that good, and I was looking for just that kind of book.
Imagine my (pleasant) surprise when this book turned out to be very different than first expected. It’s fun and silly at times, yes, but at others it’s spooky, fantastical, beautiful and/or engaging. Each story stood on its own while also playing nicely with other chapters. Overall, I really enjoyed it, just not for the reasons I thought I would!
Imagine my (pleasant) surprise when this book turned out to be very different than first expected. It’s fun and silly at times, yes, but at others it’s spooky, fantastical, beautiful and/or engaging. Each story stood on its own while also playing nicely with other chapters. Overall, I really enjoyed it, just not for the reasons I thought I would!
rakoerose's review against another edition
4.0
Y’all, this is a fantastic anthology and full of so many good points, I can’t decide which side I’m on!
I found all of these stories at least enjoyable, a majority of them gorgeous, and a few mind blowing beyond expectation. I definitely recommend this collection for everyone who likes the mystical side of fairies or the scientific side of robots. There was great diversity in terms of themes and moods, so while one story could be sad another would be filled with high action. It made each story stand out in contrast to it’s predecessors. I now want to discuss the honorable mentions, aka my favorites.
Grandma never came right out and asked him if he felt weak or sick. She asked if he felt up to doing chores. As if he was ten years old.
“Ironheart” by Jonathan Maberry fully hurt me as a dive into the fragility of human life and the ephemeral time we have. It also captured how individuals with health issues or who are disabled can feel often like a burden on their family, an unwilling participant in watching as their existence has an impact on the ones they love. There was also fantastic comparison to the way technology also becomes obsolete and breaks down as time passes. Truly there is no greater decayer than the ceaseless ticking of the clock.
”But I do want you to be happy. I do not want you to be sad.”
“Work Shadow / Shadow Work” by Madeline Ashby made me hopeful for a future of robot medical aids and even just robot aids in general because sometimes it’s nice to have a helping hand and feel less alone. It’s no secret that humans sometimes aren’t the best at taking care of themselves. It was incredibly touching and unexpectedly sweet. It made me feel warm inside and I will think about it for a long time.
””I’m not like everyone else,” he said. “I’m different.”
Gently, we said, “We know.”
“The Buried Giant” by Lavie Tidhar was an excellent dive into the human practice of storytelling and the preservation of our tales. With the sprinkling in of technology and magic, it swept me up into a fairytale atmosphere that left me breathless. I yearned to learn more, just as every good story does.
No one could hear the sounds anyone made inside here. And Ruriko had paid for two full, uninterrupted hours.
“All the Time We’ve Left to Spend” by Alyssa Wong meshed Jpop and technology in a way I’d never seen before, dipping right into the uncanny zone that I love in scifi. It somehow left me dazzled and uncomfortable at the same time. I don’t even want to say any more because I want people to experience this for themselves as I did.
I want to look into more works by many of the authors featured here, but I definitely want to look into those listed above. I’m so glad I picked this up and it is a stunning addition to my story collections!
I found all of these stories at least enjoyable, a majority of them gorgeous, and a few mind blowing beyond expectation. I definitely recommend this collection for everyone who likes the mystical side of fairies or the scientific side of robots. There was great diversity in terms of themes and moods, so while one story could be sad another would be filled with high action. It made each story stand out in contrast to it’s predecessors. I now want to discuss the honorable mentions, aka my favorites.
Grandma never came right out and asked him if he felt weak or sick. She asked if he felt up to doing chores. As if he was ten years old.
“Ironheart” by Jonathan Maberry fully hurt me as a dive into the fragility of human life and the ephemeral time we have. It also captured how individuals with health issues or who are disabled can feel often like a burden on their family, an unwilling participant in watching as their existence has an impact on the ones they love. There was also fantastic comparison to the way technology also becomes obsolete and breaks down as time passes. Truly there is no greater decayer than the ceaseless ticking of the clock.
”But I do want you to be happy. I do not want you to be sad.”
“Work Shadow / Shadow Work” by Madeline Ashby made me hopeful for a future of robot medical aids and even just robot aids in general because sometimes it’s nice to have a helping hand and feel less alone. It’s no secret that humans sometimes aren’t the best at taking care of themselves. It was incredibly touching and unexpectedly sweet. It made me feel warm inside and I will think about it for a long time.
””I’m not like everyone else,” he said. “I’m different.”
Gently, we said, “We know.”
“The Buried Giant” by Lavie Tidhar was an excellent dive into the human practice of storytelling and the preservation of our tales. With the sprinkling in of technology and magic, it swept me up into a fairytale atmosphere that left me breathless. I yearned to learn more, just as every good story does.
No one could hear the sounds anyone made inside here. And Ruriko had paid for two full, uninterrupted hours.
“All the Time We’ve Left to Spend” by Alyssa Wong meshed Jpop and technology in a way I’d never seen before, dipping right into the uncanny zone that I love in scifi. It somehow left me dazzled and uncomfortable at the same time. I don’t even want to say any more because I want people to experience this for themselves as I did.
I want to look into more works by many of the authors featured here, but I definitely want to look into those listed above. I’m so glad I picked this up and it is a stunning addition to my story collections!
winterreader40's review
3.0
This was an interesting collection and I found two new authors (Sarah Gailey and John Scalzi) that I definitely want to read more from, more Scalzi's humorous stuff I think but whichever I come across first I'll try.
I enjoyed Alyssa Wong, Jonathan Mayberry, Kat Howard, Jim C. Hines' stories, was indifferent to several and DNF'd three.
I enjoyed Alyssa Wong, Jonathan Mayberry, Kat Howard, Jim C. Hines' stories, was indifferent to several and DNF'd three.
sophia_noguera's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
noshyira's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
nataliecg's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
thewallflower00's review
4.0
It’s actually not so much about the conflict between future and fantasy as it is alternating robot and fairy stories (except for the one at the back which combines them). Which makes me wonder why this collection exists. It’s not a matter of taste–I like robot stories and I like fairy stories–but what’s the point of combining them? Seem like two things that would be better on their own if they’re not gonna play together.
Most of the stories are pretty good. This is one of the better short story collections I’ve read, and I don’t like ’em all that much. I even found one or two new authors to investigate (which is what a good short fiction collection should do–act like a sampler for other authors). To my surprise I was not impressed with Scalzi’s contribution. But I was with Jim C. Hines’s. I expected those two to be reversed. I think I need to amend my earlier stance on Hines for a corollary about his short fiction.
Most of the stories are pretty good. This is one of the better short story collections I’ve read, and I don’t like ’em all that much. I even found one or two new authors to investigate (which is what a good short fiction collection should do–act like a sampler for other authors). To my surprise I was not impressed with Scalzi’s contribution. But I was with Jim C. Hines’s. I expected those two to be reversed. I think I need to amend my earlier stance on Hines for a corollary about his short fiction.
lisawreading's review
5.0
A terrific collection, featuring science fiction and fantasy stories by an array of amazing authors (Seanan McGuire! John Scalzi! Sarah Gailey!). The authors declare themselves either "team robot" or "team fairy", and many of the stories focus on a world in which either robots or fairies have decided once and for all to show the puny humans who's really in charge. Super entertaining, with a mix of funny, magical, and creepy.