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itskiki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, Violence, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Murder, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
kelsea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Stalking
insects feature prominently in one of the storiesannemaries_shelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This would be a great intro collection for those wanting to dip their toes into the weirder speculative fiction/fabulism elements of literature. Fu's writing is clear, imaginative, and compelling and it was a joy to read each story and figure out what the small (or sometimes large) tweak to the world was.
Also major points for a gorgeous cover design and amazing, luxurious paper (Zephyr Antique Laid paper from second growth forests for those interested).
Stories and my brief thoughts:
Pre-Simulation Consultation XF007867 - 5 stars: All dialogue with really good banter and cool concept
Liddy, First to Fly - 5 stars: Puberty already sucks, why you gotta grow ankle wings too?
Time Cubes - 4.5 stars: I could see this tech fucking everybody up - and that's why I avoid the random mall stands
#ClimbingNation - 5 stars: I could see this being a true crime story easily
Sandman - 4 stars: Insomnia's never been so sexy - or disturbing
Twenty Hours - 5 stars: The best opening paragraph... and they should just go to therapy instead
The Doll - 5 stars: The kind of imagination that you don't know if it's all in the kids' heads or not
In This Fantasy - 4 stars: The narrator would be a fantastic storyteller when having drinks at the bar
Scissors - 4 stars: exhibitionism with an edge
June Bugs - 5 stars: So many creepy crawly feelings and it wasn't just the bugs (infestation as a metaphor for abusive relationships is brilliant and disturbing)
Bridezilla - 5 stars: That's one way to get out of a wedding
Do You Remember Candy - 5 stars: Probably inspired by covid and an awful possibility for those of us who love food
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My favorite aspects of Fu's stories are the creative ideas and how she utilizes them to explore difficult subjects. I do wish that many of these stories went further. Some were rather quick and felt as if they were getting to the true meaning of what was happening right before they abruptly ended. Though I would read more of Fu's stories in the future, I think I would seek them out individually instead of seeking out an entire collection. The pieces I highlighted are great stories that really make you think and I would highly recommend them, even if I wouldn't recommend the full collection itself to everyone. I would be interested in Fu's longer works as I think when given the time to really explore her ideas, her stories flourish.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Transphobia, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Sexual content
kb_sherman's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
marissab's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail