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thereadingrambler's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
4.5
Environmental fiction tends to be dark, and for good reason: We are careening toward environmental collapse, carbon-based capitalism is destroying people's physical and mental health and is a source of endless traumas, and there are no real solutions available to use. The CEO of one of the biggest and richest oil companies in the world has been instated as the leader of the UN's major climate summit this year. But what all the books from Stelliform Press do (and this one is no exception) is find the alternatives, the places where they might be hope and love.
Another Life by Sarena Ulibarri focuses on Galacia (ga-lace-e-a) Aguirre and the community of Otra Vida in Death Valley of the new, independent country of California (which comprises California and Nevada). The United States has collapsed and separated into smaller, often warring, countries. The environmental issues California currently faces have increased significantly, especially with the new Rocky Mountain Republic limiting the water supply. To combat this, Galacia and her friends developed a new technology that led to establishing a community based on radical communist (although there is debate over calling themselves that) principles.
The political, economic, and environmental collapse everyone is living in was sped up by Thomas Ramsey, one of the last of the ultra-wealthy who promises people a techno-fix for the impending environmental disaster that...does not go well. So when Galacia finds out she was Ramsey in her past life, this throws her authority within the community into question.
This book is, at its core, about how to build sustainable communities—and I mean that in the environmental and social contexts because the two are inextricably intertwined. Communities that don't have renewable energies and healthy ecological practices will not be able to have social cohesion and community spirit. This is what this book exemplifies more than anything else. The conflict between Galacia and some of the younger members of the community encapsulates both the resistance of an older generation to trust and include younger people as they come of age, but they need to be included—this is their world too. They are the ones who will primarily suffer because of previous generations' environmental, political, and economic policies, after all.
The book is very short (just over 150 pages), so there wasn't as much time to develop all of the different elements that Ulibarri addressed. I think the book could've been 50-100 pages longer and benefitted quite a bit. Ulibarri works well in the novella format nonetheless, and the reader won't walk away feeling cheated but maybe a bit sad that there wasn't more. The characters are well-drawn, but there are quite a few, and I wish they had more space to develop and breathe. Particularly when the climax happens at the end, which is suddenly much more action-y than anything else had been in the book up to that point. This felt a little sudden and could've been set up more.
Overall, if you're someone who enjoys slower-paced books that are also quick reads which focus on community and the environment, you'll enjoy this book. The characters are diverse in gender, sexuality, and racial inclusion, and the community seems to have excised itself of homophobia, transphobia, and racism, so reading a book without hate speech/crimes was refreshing as well.
Another Life by Sarena Ulibarri focuses on Galacia (ga-lace-e-a) Aguirre and the community of Otra Vida in Death Valley of the new, independent country of California (which comprises California and Nevada). The United States has collapsed and separated into smaller, often warring, countries. The environmental issues California currently faces have increased significantly, especially with the new Rocky Mountain Republic limiting the water supply. To combat this, Galacia and her friends developed a new technology that led to establishing a community based on radical communist (although there is debate over calling themselves that) principles.
The political, economic, and environmental collapse everyone is living in was sped up by Thomas Ramsey, one of the last of the ultra-wealthy who promises people a techno-fix for the impending environmental disaster that...does not go well. So when Galacia finds out she was Ramsey in her past life, this throws her authority within the community into question.
This book is, at its core, about how to build sustainable communities—and I mean that in the environmental and social contexts because the two are inextricably intertwined. Communities that don't have renewable energies and healthy ecological practices will not be able to have social cohesion and community spirit. This is what this book exemplifies more than anything else. The conflict between Galacia and some of the younger members of the community encapsulates both the resistance of an older generation to trust and include younger people as they come of age, but they need to be included—this is their world too. They are the ones who will primarily suffer because of previous generations' environmental, political, and economic policies, after all.
The book is very short (just over 150 pages), so there wasn't as much time to develop all of the different elements that Ulibarri addressed. I think the book could've been 50-100 pages longer and benefitted quite a bit. Ulibarri works well in the novella format nonetheless, and the reader won't walk away feeling cheated but maybe a bit sad that there wasn't more. The characters are well-drawn, but there are quite a few, and I wish they had more space to develop and breathe. Particularly when the climax happens at the end, which is suddenly much more action-y than anything else had been in the book up to that point. This felt a little sudden and could've been set up more.
Overall, if you're someone who enjoys slower-paced books that are also quick reads which focus on community and the environment, you'll enjoy this book. The characters are diverse in gender, sexuality, and racial inclusion, and the community seems to have excised itself of homophobia, transphobia, and racism, so reading a book without hate speech/crimes was refreshing as well.
kari13's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
stephlovaofbooks's review
hopeful
inspiring
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
ambers's review
5.0
This novella is a delight! This is a story about Galacia, a woman who lives in a burgeoning solarpunk society in the desert.
For me, the world building is a highlight of this book. It's wonderful what the author has managed to pack into such a short story - its post capitalist for our main characters, but set during a time of transition. They haven't quite figured out how to live this way together in their new community of Otra Vida, and the rest of the world hasn't figured out how to feel about Otra Vida either.
Although there is en element of the fantastical (part of the plot revolves around members of the community learning who they were in a past life), the world itself feels plausible - both the sorrowful elements of it (police brutality, climate crisis) and the lovely ones (Otra Vida itself). Most importantly, Otra Vida is built through hard work, community bonds, resilience, and love. I adored that. Solarpunk works best for me when it feels like it COULD be achieved in the very near future.
I also greatly enjoyed how the author approached past lives and their impact on our current ones. Do our past mistakes irrevocably change us? What does it mean to believe in restorative justice, even if you struggle to face your own flaws?
Finally, as with any good solarpunk, this novel is wonderfully diverse. We have an important character who is trans, side characters who are gay, Indigenous, use wheelchairs, etc. Sometimes solarpunk has a tendency to create worlds where those differences are just handwaved away, and I appreciate that Ulibarri doesn't fall into that trope. In a true solarpunk world, we would find strength in a diverse community.
Overall, this was a 5 star read for me. There is a lot to love in this little novella! Thank you Stelliform Pres for an advanced review copy; all opinions in this review are my own.
For me, the world building is a highlight of this book. It's wonderful what the author has managed to pack into such a short story - its post capitalist for our main characters, but set during a time of transition. They haven't quite figured out how to live this way together in their new community of Otra Vida, and the rest of the world hasn't figured out how to feel about Otra Vida either.
Although there is en element of the fantastical (part of the plot revolves around members of the community learning who they were in a past life), the world itself feels plausible - both the sorrowful elements of it (police brutality, climate crisis) and the lovely ones (Otra Vida itself). Most importantly, Otra Vida is built through hard work, community bonds, resilience, and love. I adored that. Solarpunk works best for me when it feels like it COULD be achieved in the very near future.
I also greatly enjoyed how the author approached past lives and their impact on our current ones. Do our past mistakes irrevocably change us? What does it mean to believe in restorative justice, even if you struggle to face your own flaws?
Finally, as with any good solarpunk, this novel is wonderfully diverse. We have an important character who is trans, side characters who are gay, Indigenous, use wheelchairs, etc. Sometimes solarpunk has a tendency to create worlds where those differences are just handwaved away, and I appreciate that Ulibarri doesn't fall into that trope. In a true solarpunk world, we would find strength in a diverse community.
Overall, this was a 5 star read for me. There is a lot to love in this little novella! Thank you Stelliform Pres for an advanced review copy; all opinions in this review are my own.
joreadsbooks's review
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Read an eARC from the publisher
Content Warnings: state violence, climate disaster
Content Warnings: state violence, climate disaster
Galacia Aguirre is Mediator of Otra Vida, a city of communal living and equivalent exchange that exists on the shores of what was once Death Valley. In the lead-up to her re-election, a colleague of hers reveals to have discovered a way to discover past lives. Unfortunately, Galacia’s past life is of the man who might have singularly spurred the climate decline of the planet. This novella will appeal to fans of the Monk & Robot books by Becky Chambers in the way it offers a compassionate and forgiving approach to working through the sins of humanity’s past and how personal mistakes don’t necessarily doom the present.
The world-building in this novella is so good. If you’re looking for something that’s post-corporate, post-capitalist but fully explores the complexities of that transition, this is the book for you. Galacia is a character who is almost omniscient in her presence, as she had been one of the founders of Otra Vida. There is still some sense of class hierarchy in the sense that those who had been there from the beginning have a different relationship with the quasi-utopian project. There are political tensions that escalate violently, and the way the narrative weaves in new technology that’s dangerous from a social standpoint is really thoughtful. Nothing in this work is black and white, but is infused with a hopefulness that keeps the work from feeling gray moral or even nihilistic. The approach is very grounded, despite the imaginative future tech.
There are references to reincarnation and the after life from a Jewish and Buddhist perspective, but I do not have the range to comment on how Ulibarri approaches this topic. But, instead of taking a literal approach, I really enjoyed how the novella explores the application and responsibility in applying new technologies to solve current problems. While the stakes are very personal in that Galacia is trying to win election in her role, the concepts and themes feel wider than the scope of just Otra Vida, or even this futuristic version of the United States.
A work that presents a post-capitalist society working through growing pains that still resonate in the present, I found this read to be thoughtful and compassionate in its exploration of humanity’s relationship to technology, nature, and each other.
mylifeasmacy's review against another edition
4.0
“I promised everyone another world and that’s exactly what I delivered.”
If I’m being honest, when I started reading this I thought I might DNF it within the first 10 pages, but I am so glad that I stuck it out because I really enjoyed reading this and found myself wishing for more!
Another Life gives a brutally honest look at what very well could be our near future and how life really does tend to come full circle. I found it to be beautifully written, but if you are not big on science like myself I did struggle at times to get through the technical terms.
I think this book could have been a bit longer so that some issues could have been better explained such as why the main character is called Galacia even though her actual name is Lacey or other aspects of the fictional world that have been created.
There were also quite a few typos/errors that were missed in editing that sometimes tripped me up on my reading, but as I did read it before the publishing date hopefully those issues will be resolved.
Overall I really enjoyed this read and found my self very emotionally invested in the characters and their lives and loved how this book gets your mind thinking about such prevalent social issues in todays society, but by approaching it from a different angle with the themes of reincarnation.
If I’m being honest, when I started reading this I thought I might DNF it within the first 10 pages, but I am so glad that I stuck it out because I really enjoyed reading this and found myself wishing for more!
Another Life gives a brutally honest look at what very well could be our near future and how life really does tend to come full circle. I found it to be beautifully written, but if you are not big on science like myself I did struggle at times to get through the technical terms.
I think this book could have been a bit longer so that some issues could have been better explained such as why the main character is called Galacia even though her actual name is Lacey or other aspects of the fictional world that have been created.
There were also quite a few typos/errors that were missed in editing that sometimes tripped me up on my reading, but as I did read it before the publishing date hopefully those issues will be resolved.
Overall I really enjoyed this read and found my self very emotionally invested in the characters and their lives and loved how this book gets your mind thinking about such prevalent social issues in todays society, but by approaching it from a different angle with the themes of reincarnation.
meshell's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
5.0
When I saw this book was from the editor of several English solar punk short story anthologies (that I generally liked - including her stories) I was excited to see how she would create this world in a longer format, and I was entirely delighted.
I think this book is a wonderful example of everything solarpunk can be. I almost always wish this book was longer, but I think it told the story it set out to do, in a way that was interesting, unique, while drawing upon some of the existing solarpunk ideas. (that technological-nature connection) and not whitewashing society. It was diverse in a way that reflects society, it did not act like Indigenous people did not exist and specifically spoke of permission to live on the land being given, in a way that felt entirely natural, and not heavy handed. There was an evolution in characters, and there were challenges they faced with courage, and understanding.
Also enjoyed the little side story of how they started getting called “solar punks” just delightful.
There were past life things in the book that initially, I wasn't so sure about - but it *really* worked - I loved the grappling with identity arc within this book - within the semi-plausible, mostly utopian surroundings. I appreciated the authours notes about the likelihood of the setting,
I think this book is a wonderful example of everything solarpunk can be. I almost always wish this book was longer, but I think it told the story it set out to do, in a way that was interesting, unique, while drawing upon some of the existing solarpunk ideas. (that technological-nature connection) and not whitewashing society. It was diverse in a way that reflects society, it did not act like Indigenous people did not exist and specifically spoke of permission to live on the land being given, in a way that felt entirely natural, and not heavy handed. There was an evolution in characters, and there were challenges they faced with courage, and understanding.
Also enjoyed the little side story of how they started getting called “solar punks” just delightful.
There were past life things in the book that initially, I wasn't so sure about - but it *really* worked - I loved the grappling with identity arc within this book - within the semi-plausible, mostly utopian surroundings. I appreciated the authours notes about the likelihood of the setting,
vanidorr's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? Yes
5.0
The world is in ruins due to the climate crisis, with one man, Thomas Ramsey, held up as the poster boy for climate denial, who sent many people into bankruptcy, depression and also, for those who could afford his shuttle to "Planet B", sent many people to their death when it exploded on launch, taking him with it. However, our story begins forty years later in Otra Vida, a utopic city in the middle of the desert where reincarnation has been scientifically Verified. What would it mean to know exactly who you were in a past life? And what would it mean for all the good you've done trying to mitigate the fallout of the climate crisis and look out for the health and wellbeing of an entire city, if you found out that in your previous life, you were none other than the most hated climate terrorist in the entire world?
This story was a wonderful little thought experiment. I love science fiction and speculative fiction and this short book has a whole lot of depth to sink your teeth into. I loved the way the author explored ways to tackle climate change and the vastly different reactions of each group to the same problem, eg Capitalist vs Marxist ideals which I saw in this book as for the profits vs for the people. This reminded me a lot of an anthropological text I read called A Postcapital Politics which tries to envision how a society outside of the hegemonic capitalist society could work. Ulibarri takes an idea and runs with it, forming the most wonderful society that looks out for its people making sure everyone has exactly what they need in a time where most live in scarcity due to greedy trade deals, border closures, and corrupt government deals. It shows the necessity to evolve from old ways of society and agriculture to a new method more in tune with nature and with more consideration for our mental health and wellbeing. It also shows how others may react to their ways becoming obsolete and the actions they may take to silence those who think differently.
Though that is still a major part of the plot and integral to how the story plays out in its crisis point, it also takes a back seat to the notion of identity and what it means to be human. The discovery of genetic markers, "fingerprints for the soul" on our genetic structure, sends the entire city of Otra Vida into a frenzy. Everyone wants to know who they were in a past life, convinced that people like Thomas Ramsey could only ever be reincarnated as a cockroach. But what if you had been a terrible person in another life? Would that negate any good you do in your current one, and should/could you be persecuted for something you did in a previous life? Furthermore, what if the mass extinction of wildlife across the world could be correlated with the rise in population growth in a different way than we ever thought conceivable? What would happen if animals who had been hunted for sport and greed suddenly found themselves reincarnated in a human body, full of hatred for the human race but unsure of why and what to do with it? These philosophical wicked problems were a very interesting inclusion that took a story that would already have been incredible and took it to even more phenomenal heights!
Another Life is a story of resilience, reinvention, and renewal that provides us with an optimistic blueprint for a better, more thoughtful future. Thank you Netgalley and Steliform Press for the advance copy.
This story was a wonderful little thought experiment. I love science fiction and speculative fiction and this short book has a whole lot of depth to sink your teeth into. I loved the way the author explored ways to tackle climate change and the vastly different reactions of each group to the same problem, eg Capitalist vs Marxist ideals which I saw in this book as for the profits vs for the people. This reminded me a lot of an anthropological text I read called A Postcapital Politics which tries to envision how a society outside of the hegemonic capitalist society could work. Ulibarri takes an idea and runs with it, forming the most wonderful society that looks out for its people making sure everyone has exactly what they need in a time where most live in scarcity due to greedy trade deals, border closures, and corrupt government deals. It shows the necessity to evolve from old ways of society and agriculture to a new method more in tune with nature and with more consideration for our mental health and wellbeing. It also shows how others may react to their ways becoming obsolete and the actions they may take to silence those who think differently.
Though that is still a major part of the plot and integral to how the story plays out in its crisis point, it also takes a back seat to the notion of identity and what it means to be human. The discovery of genetic markers, "fingerprints for the soul" on our genetic structure, sends the entire city of Otra Vida into a frenzy. Everyone wants to know who they were in a past life, convinced that people like Thomas Ramsey could only ever be reincarnated as a cockroach. But what if you had been a terrible person in another life? Would that negate any good you do in your current one, and should/could you be persecuted for something you did in a previous life? Furthermore, what if the mass extinction of wildlife across the world could be correlated with the rise in population growth in a different way than we ever thought conceivable? What would happen if animals who had been hunted for sport and greed suddenly found themselves reincarnated in a human body, full of hatred for the human race but unsure of why and what to do with it? These philosophical wicked problems were a very interesting inclusion that took a story that would already have been incredible and took it to even more phenomenal heights!
Another Life is a story of resilience, reinvention, and renewal that provides us with an optimistic blueprint for a better, more thoughtful future. Thank you Netgalley and Steliform Press for the advance copy.
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