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wanderlustlover's review against another edition
4.0
Spring 2020 (April);
I'll admit it: this story totally wormed its way under my skin, into my chest, and then wrap little metal fingers around my heart and peered over the edge of it the whole time. I have so many feelings about the beginnings surrounded by wasteland, but a family together; then torn apart, forced into menial labor to keep your sibling alive; the discovery of what un-truth (& its opposite) is and all the pathways of knowledge opens up to you.
Plus, right. That it's all robots. I'm in love. Forver.
I'll admit it: this story totally wormed its way under my skin, into my chest, and then wrap little metal fingers around my heart and peered over the edge of it the whole time. I have so many feelings about the beginnings surrounded by wasteland, but a family together; then torn apart, forced into menial labor to keep your sibling alive; the discovery of what un-truth (& its opposite) is and all the pathways of knowledge opens up to you.
Plus, right. That it's all robots. I'm in love. Forver.
kandicez's review against another edition
4.0
I really only read METAL LIKE BLOOD IN THE DARK by T. Kingfisher.
That was a very clever and satisfying tale. I didn't realize until I was finished that [a:T. Kingfisher|7367300|T. Kingfisher|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1547408383p2/7367300.jpg] also wrote [b:A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking|54369251|A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking|T. Kingfisher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593743861l/54369251._SX50_.jpg|84842875], which could not be more different than this! Talk about a diverse talent.
This story is about two AI beings created by a "father" to be all things good. In the process of the story, one of them is forced to do something... not quite right and chooses to protect their sibling from that. In essence, doing the "bad" thing results in a "good" thing and by protecting the sibling, their good is simply further evidenced. Confused? It's not a confusing story but it IS sweet in an unlikely format.
That was a very clever and satisfying tale. I didn't realize until I was finished that [a:T. Kingfisher|7367300|T. Kingfisher|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1547408383p2/7367300.jpg] also wrote [b:A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking|54369251|A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking|T. Kingfisher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593743861l/54369251._SX50_.jpg|84842875], which could not be more different than this! Talk about a diverse talent.
This story is about two AI beings created by a "father" to be all things good. In the process of the story, one of them is forced to do something... not quite right and chooses to protect their sibling from that. In essence, doing the "bad" thing results in a "good" thing and by protecting the sibling, their good is simply further evidenced. Confused? It's not a confusing story but it IS sweet in an unlikely format.
titusfortner's review
5.0
This review is for Metal Like Blood in the Dark
I thought this was just brilliant. Loved everything about this story and how it was told. Superb.
I thought this was just brilliant. Loved everything about this story and how it was told. Superb.
wanderlustlover's review
4.0
Spring 2020 (April);
I'll admit it: this story totally wormed its way under my skin, into my chest, and then wrap little metal fingers around my heart and peered over the edge of it the whole time. I have so many feelings about the beginnings surrounded by wasteland, but a family together; then torn apart, forced into menial labor to keep your sibling alive; the discovery of what un-truth (& its opposite) is and all the pathways of knowledge opens up to you.
Plus, right. That it's all robots. I'm in love. Forver.
I'll admit it: this story totally wormed its way under my skin, into my chest, and then wrap little metal fingers around my heart and peered over the edge of it the whole time. I have so many feelings about the beginnings surrounded by wasteland, but a family together; then torn apart, forced into menial labor to keep your sibling alive; the discovery of what un-truth (& its opposite) is and all the pathways of knowledge opens up to you.
Plus, right. That it's all robots. I'm in love. Forver.
bookaneer's review
3.0
Rating for two stories only:
T. Kingfisher's Metal Like Blood in the Dark
Smart adaptations of Icarus and The Wild Swans tales. Some rather mushy but lovely sentences like: "He had never programmed ferocity into them, but love had a way of waking other things that never felt the touch of code."
Lavie Tidhar's Juvenilia
So, this story is a period piece, an in-depth exploration of the worlds created by the Brontë siblings in their juvenilia. I loved the Gothic feeling since the start, even though it's oh so tropey - a young woman arriving in a spooky old house. The mystery as well as the sense of foreboding were equally immersive. However, as with some stories, it needs a more solid landing. To me, it was just okay. Having read his other works, I want to know what the author could do with it as a novella.
T. Kingfisher's Metal Like Blood in the Dark
Smart adaptations of Icarus and The Wild Swans tales. Some rather mushy but lovely sentences like: "He had never programmed ferocity into them, but love had a way of waking other things that never felt the touch of code."
Lavie Tidhar's Juvenilia
So, this story is a period piece, an in-depth exploration of the worlds created by the Brontë siblings in their juvenilia. I loved the Gothic feeling since the start, even though it's oh so tropey - a young woman arriving in a spooky old house. The mystery as well as the sense of foreboding were equally immersive. However, as with some stories, it needs a more solid landing. To me, it was just okay. Having read his other works, I want to know what the author could do with it as a novella.
nataliya_x's review
3.0
The review is for Hugo Award-nominated winning short story “Metal Like Blood in the Dark” by T. Kingfisher.
———
Kingfisher seems to specialize in the short stories that sound like folk tales, and this foray into science fiction fits that pattern. It is more of a fantasy told through the SF lens, but ultimately it is still a gentle folk tale, just the one with nanites and robots.
It’s quiet and has a bittersweet tinge to it. An AI coming of age. It’s a bit simple and maybe too understated but still clever, although I wanted just a bit more.
3.5 stars.
(My favorite robot/AI short story still remains [b:The Secret Life of Bots|48764297|The Secret Life of Bots|Suzanne Palmer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587570930l/48764297._SY75_.jpg|74139779] by Suzanne Palmer.)
———————
Read it free here: https://uncannymagazine.com/article/metal-like-blood-in-the-dark/
———————
My Hugo and Nebula Awards Reading Project 2021: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3701332299
———
Kingfisher seems to specialize in the short stories that sound like folk tales, and this foray into science fiction fits that pattern. It is more of a fantasy told through the SF lens, but ultimately it is still a gentle folk tale, just the one with nanites and robots.
It’s quiet and has a bittersweet tinge to it. An AI coming of age. It’s a bit simple and maybe too understated but still clever, although I wanted just a bit more.
“Lying was something like error, which she understood. It was always possible to be in error, and to learn that one was in error, and correct oneself. Lying was to be deliberately in error, and to express that error to others. Error without correction. Error entered into by choice.”
3.5 stars.
(My favorite robot/AI short story still remains [b:The Secret Life of Bots|48764297|The Secret Life of Bots|Suzanne Palmer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587570930l/48764297._SY75_.jpg|74139779] by Suzanne Palmer.)
———————
Read it free here: https://uncannymagazine.com/article/metal-like-blood-in-the-dark/
———————
My Hugo and Nebula Awards Reading Project 2021: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3701332299
villyidol's review
2.0
Review only for Metal Like Blood in the Dark by T. Kingfisher.
A retelling of Hansel and Gretel, but with AIs and Robots and an alien insect race.
Honestly, if the author hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have noticed that this is supposed to be a new interpretation of the Grimm fairy tale. I’m not quite sure if this is about limited resources or about learning the usefulness of a lie. The latter provided the occasional funny and/or cute moment. But otherwise I felt pretty meh about this.
And that’s all I got for you today.
1.5 stars
Can be read for free here: https://uncannymagazine.com/article/metal-like-blood-in-the-dark/
It’s also part of the Uncanny Magazine Podcast #36A. The story starts at 7:33 and is roughly 46 minutes long. Good narration by Erika Ensign.
2021 Hugofinalist winner for Best Short Story. Huh.
Best Novel
• [b:Black Sun|50892360|Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601212809l/50892360._SY75_.jpg|61321587] by Rebecca Roanhorse
• [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675] by N.K. Jemisin
• [b:Harrow the Ninth|39325105|Harrow the Ninth (The Locked Tomb, #2)|Tamsyn Muir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602323622l/39325105._SY75_.jpg|60943273] by Tamsyn Muir
• Network Effect by Martha Wells
• [b:Piranesi|50202953|Piranesi|Susanna Clarke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609095173l/50202953._SY75_.jpg|73586702] by Susanna Clarke
• [b:The Relentless Moon|52381417|The Relentless Moon (Lady Astronaut Universe, #3)|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574326388l/52381417._SY75_.jpg|65396089] by Mary Robinette Kowal
Best Novella
• [b:Come Tumbling Down|44804083|Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children, #5)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556543251l/44804083._SY75_.jpg|60132774] by Seanan McGuire
• [b:The Empress of Salt and Fortune|51190882|The Empress of Salt and Fortune (The Singing Hills Cycle, #1)|Nghi Vo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565188992l/51190882._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71836130] by Nghi Vo
• [b:Finna|44081573|Finna (LitenVerse #1)|Nino Cipri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563304090l/44081573._SY75_.jpg|68548236] by Nino Cipri
• Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
• [b:Riot Baby|43719523|Riot Baby|Tochi Onyebuchi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556633991l/43719523._SY75_.jpg|68038597] by Tochi Onyebuchi
• [b:Upright Women Wanted|45320365|Upright Women Wanted|Sarah Gailey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556718522l/45320365._SY75_.jpg|62411007] by Sarah Gailey
Best Novelette
• Burn or the Episodic Life of Sam Wells as a Super by A.T. Greenblatt ([b:Uncanny Magazine Issue 34: May/June 2020|53340305|Uncanny Magazine Issue 34 May/June 2020|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588778181l/53340305._SY75_.jpg|81991633])
• [b:I Sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter|56389293|Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 160 (January 2020)|Neil Clarke|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|87868218] by Isabel Fall (Clarkesworld, January 2020)
• The Inaccessibility of Heaven by Aliette de Bodard ([b:Uncanny Magazine Issue 35: July/August 2020|54425955|Uncanny Magazine Issue 35 July/August 2020|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594094718l/54425955._SY75_.jpg|84933097])
• Monster by Naomi Kritzer ([b:Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 160|51267546|Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 160 (January 2020)|Neil Clarke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581723430l/51267546._SY75_.jpg|87868218])
• The Pill by Meg Elison (from [b:Big Girl|53052208|Big Girl|Meg Elison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575492744l/53052208._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73371095])
• Two Truths and a Lie by Sarah Pinsker (Tor.com)
Best Short Story
• Badass Moms in the Zombie Apocalypse by Rae Carson ([b:Uncanny Magazine Issue 32: January/February 2020|50493730|Uncanny Magazine Issue 32 January/February 2020|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579080364l/50493730._SY75_.jpg|75468797])
• A Guide For Working Breeds by Vina Jie-Min Prasad (Made to Order: Robots and Revolution, Solaris)
• Little Free Library by Naomi Kritzer (Tor. com)
• The Mermaid Astronaut by Yoon Ha Lee (Beneath Ceaseless Skies, February 2020)
• Metal Like Blood in the Dark by T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine, September/October 2020)
• Open House on Haunted Hill by John Wiswell (Diabolical Plots 6/15/20)
Best Series
• The Daevabad Trilogy by [a:S.A. Chakraborty|16002992|S.A. Chakraborty|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1495447627p2/16002992.jpg]
• The Interdependency by [a:John Scalzi|4763|John Scalzi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562613145p2/4763.jpg]
• The Lady Astronaut Universe by [a:Mary Robinette Kowal|2868678|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1602692419p2/2868678.jpg]
• The Murderbot Diaries by [a:Martha Wells|87305|Martha Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397566224p2/87305.jpg]
• October Daye by [a:Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]
• The Poppy War by [a:R.F. Kuang|16820001|R.F. Kuang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1563395354p2/16820001.jpg]
Best Graphic Story or Comic
• [b:Die, Vol. 2: Split the Party|49426262|Die, Vol. 2 Split the Party|Kieron Gillen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575345987l/49426262._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72153103], written by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans, letters by Clayton Cowles
• [b:Ghost-Spider, Vol. 1: Dog Days Are Over|49984842|Ghost-Spider, Vol. 1 Dog Days Are Over|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580942524l/49984842._SY75_.jpg|72585311], written by Seanan McGuire, art by Takeshi Miyazawa and Rosi Kämpe
• Invisible Kingdom, Vol. 2: Edge of Everything, written by G. Willow Wilson, art by Christian Ward
• [b:Monstress, Vol. 5: Warchild|52637764|Monstress, Vol. 5 Warchild|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600742631l/52637764._SY75_.jpg|78402003], written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda
• Once & Future, Vol. 1: The King is Undead, written by Kieron Gillen, iIllustrated by Dan Mora, colored by Tamra Bonvillain, lettered by Ed Dukeshire
• Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation, written by Octavia Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings
A retelling of Hansel and Gretel, but with AIs and Robots and an alien insect race.
Honestly, if the author hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have noticed that this is supposed to be a new interpretation of the Grimm fairy tale. I’m not quite sure if this is about limited resources or about learning the usefulness of a lie. The latter provided the occasional funny and/or cute moment. But otherwise I felt pretty meh about this.
And that’s all I got for you today.
1.5 stars
Can be read for free here: https://uncannymagazine.com/article/metal-like-blood-in-the-dark/
It’s also part of the Uncanny Magazine Podcast #36A. The story starts at 7:33 and is roughly 46 minutes long. Good narration by Erika Ensign.
2021 Hugo
________________
2021 Hugo Award Finalists
Best Novel
• [b:Black Sun|50892360|Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601212809l/50892360._SY75_.jpg|61321587] by Rebecca Roanhorse
• [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675] by N.K. Jemisin
• [b:Harrow the Ninth|39325105|Harrow the Ninth (The Locked Tomb, #2)|Tamsyn Muir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602323622l/39325105._SY75_.jpg|60943273] by Tamsyn Muir
• Network Effect by Martha Wells
• [b:Piranesi|50202953|Piranesi|Susanna Clarke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609095173l/50202953._SY75_.jpg|73586702] by Susanna Clarke
• [b:The Relentless Moon|52381417|The Relentless Moon (Lady Astronaut Universe, #3)|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574326388l/52381417._SY75_.jpg|65396089] by Mary Robinette Kowal
Best Novella
• [b:Come Tumbling Down|44804083|Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children, #5)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556543251l/44804083._SY75_.jpg|60132774] by Seanan McGuire
• [b:The Empress of Salt and Fortune|51190882|The Empress of Salt and Fortune (The Singing Hills Cycle, #1)|Nghi Vo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565188992l/51190882._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71836130] by Nghi Vo
• [b:Finna|44081573|Finna (LitenVerse #1)|Nino Cipri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563304090l/44081573._SY75_.jpg|68548236] by Nino Cipri
• Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
• [b:Riot Baby|43719523|Riot Baby|Tochi Onyebuchi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556633991l/43719523._SY75_.jpg|68038597] by Tochi Onyebuchi
• [b:Upright Women Wanted|45320365|Upright Women Wanted|Sarah Gailey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556718522l/45320365._SY75_.jpg|62411007] by Sarah Gailey
Best Novelette
• Burn or the Episodic Life of Sam Wells as a Super by A.T. Greenblatt ([b:Uncanny Magazine Issue 34: May/June 2020|53340305|Uncanny Magazine Issue 34 May/June 2020|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588778181l/53340305._SY75_.jpg|81991633])
• [b:I Sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter|56389293|Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 160 (January 2020)|Neil Clarke|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|87868218] by Isabel Fall (Clarkesworld, January 2020)
• The Inaccessibility of Heaven by Aliette de Bodard ([b:Uncanny Magazine Issue 35: July/August 2020|54425955|Uncanny Magazine Issue 35 July/August 2020|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594094718l/54425955._SY75_.jpg|84933097])
• Monster by Naomi Kritzer ([b:Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 160|51267546|Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 160 (January 2020)|Neil Clarke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581723430l/51267546._SY75_.jpg|87868218])
• The Pill by Meg Elison (from [b:Big Girl|53052208|Big Girl|Meg Elison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575492744l/53052208._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73371095])
• Two Truths and a Lie by Sarah Pinsker (Tor.com)
Best Short Story
• Badass Moms in the Zombie Apocalypse by Rae Carson ([b:Uncanny Magazine Issue 32: January/February 2020|50493730|Uncanny Magazine Issue 32 January/February 2020|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579080364l/50493730._SY75_.jpg|75468797])
• A Guide For Working Breeds by Vina Jie-Min Prasad (Made to Order: Robots and Revolution, Solaris)
• Little Free Library by Naomi Kritzer (Tor. com)
• The Mermaid Astronaut by Yoon Ha Lee (Beneath Ceaseless Skies, February 2020)
• Metal Like Blood in the Dark by T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine, September/October 2020)
• Open House on Haunted Hill by John Wiswell (Diabolical Plots 6/15/20)
Best Series
• The Daevabad Trilogy by [a:S.A. Chakraborty|16002992|S.A. Chakraborty|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1495447627p2/16002992.jpg]
• The Interdependency by [a:John Scalzi|4763|John Scalzi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562613145p2/4763.jpg]
• The Lady Astronaut Universe by [a:Mary Robinette Kowal|2868678|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1602692419p2/2868678.jpg]
• The Murderbot Diaries by [a:Martha Wells|87305|Martha Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397566224p2/87305.jpg]
• October Daye by [a:Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]
• The Poppy War by [a:R.F. Kuang|16820001|R.F. Kuang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1563395354p2/16820001.jpg]
Best Graphic Story or Comic
• [b:Die, Vol. 2: Split the Party|49426262|Die, Vol. 2 Split the Party|Kieron Gillen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575345987l/49426262._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72153103], written by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans, letters by Clayton Cowles
• [b:Ghost-Spider, Vol. 1: Dog Days Are Over|49984842|Ghost-Spider, Vol. 1 Dog Days Are Over|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580942524l/49984842._SY75_.jpg|72585311], written by Seanan McGuire, art by Takeshi Miyazawa and Rosi Kämpe
• Invisible Kingdom, Vol. 2: Edge of Everything, written by G. Willow Wilson, art by Christian Ward
• [b:Monstress, Vol. 5: Warchild|52637764|Monstress, Vol. 5 Warchild|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600742631l/52637764._SY75_.jpg|78402003], written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda
• Once & Future, Vol. 1: The King is Undead, written by Kieron Gillen, iIllustrated by Dan Mora, colored by Tamra Bonvillain, lettered by Ed Dukeshire
• Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation, written by Octavia Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings