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sperks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a difficult book to rate, just because all but one of its stories felt like they needed more time and space and words to live out their full potential. That loss of potential, when seen, can make it hard to judge it on its own terms rather than in relation to what it could have been. Ultimately, I give it four stars because a) I do really like most of the takes on prophecy & gender, and b) there were parts that genuinely got to me emotionally. I will also say, for me the stories were presented from weakest to strongest. So if you're a little unsure after the first story, I would recommend reading one of the later ones before putting it down.
Overall, if you want a collection of stories that -- while not fully living up to their potential -- actually think about the mechanics of prophecies and how trans & non-binary people fit into those mechanics, I would definitely recommend.
Overall, if you want a collection of stories that -- while not fully living up to their potential -- actually think about the mechanics of prophecies and how trans & non-binary people fit into those mechanics, I would definitely recommend.
kappareads's review against another edition
4.0
If you've ever wanted your fairy-tales to be queerer, especially more trans, this is the book for you.
Every short story centers around the idea of trans people, non-binary and binary, being loopholes for prophecies because the prophecy has weird gendered language.
Usually I'd go through each story of an anthology and give a short summary, but I'm not going to do that this time. Why?
1. All stories were 4 stars or higher, which is a rarity for me. Usually there's one story I really like, one I hate and the rest are average, but this anthology was just *chef's kiss*
2. I think it's best to go in blind with these. There's content warnings before each short story, as well as a pronunciation guide if there are neo-pronouns in the story, and that is, I think, all you should go on. Each story has their own fantasy setting, new magic rules, new political climate, new family structure, and I feel like all the fun is in delving in with a fresh mind and seeing what this story has to hold.
This was a really solid anthology and I wish this was more popular.
Every short story centers around the idea of trans people, non-binary and binary, being loopholes for prophecies because the prophecy has weird gendered language.
Usually I'd go through each story of an anthology and give a short summary, but I'm not going to do that this time. Why?
1. All stories were 4 stars or higher, which is a rarity for me. Usually there's one story I really like, one I hate and the rest are average, but this anthology was just *chef's kiss*
2. I think it's best to go in blind with these. There's content warnings before each short story, as well as a pronunciation guide if there are neo-pronouns in the story, and that is, I think, all you should go on. Each story has their own fantasy setting, new magic rules, new political climate, new family structure, and I feel like all the fun is in delving in with a fresh mind and seeing what this story has to hold.
This was a really solid anthology and I wish this was more popular.
ethemreal's review against another edition
5.0
I am beyond grateful that this book exists. That there is fantasy for and by and about trans people. That it has a variety of characters with a variety of pronouns. That it is all Content Warned for appropriately.
I'm just very happy to have read a collection of stories the re-conceptualize the fairy tale fantasy myths of my childhood.
(I feel like this isn't coming across enthusiastic enough. It's just cause I'm sleep deprived. 'cause I stayed up late reading.)
I'm just very happy to have read a collection of stories the re-conceptualize the fairy tale fantasy myths of my childhood.
(I feel like this isn't coming across enthusiastic enough. It's just cause I'm sleep deprived. 'cause I stayed up late reading.)
angrybooklady's review against another edition
5.0
This is an imaginative collection of short stories centered on characters that are trans and/or nonbinary. They were all really good and I enjoyed getting a perspective on the fantasy genre that I wasn't used to. (Although that's my fault for not seeking more of those stories out!) My favorite story was xer take on Sleeping Beauty, but I am also a sucker for fairy tale adaptations!
rooftopnights's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bay22's review
hopeful
inspiring
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
alexbe2ab4's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
zachbrumaire's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting concept and a few really compelling stories. Tangled Nets and His Father's Son were both highly moving, even though both (as well as most of the other works) turned on essentially the same conceit, ie. a prophecy appears to construct impossible conditions-X for bringing about/permitting event-Y are fulfilled in an manner not anticipated by the antagonist-Z by means of the introduction of an unexpected genderqueer individual-Q.
In the stronger stories, the gender(s) of the figure in question form key elements of their character growth, relationships, ways of seeing and influencing the world, etc. In others, such queerness is reduced to merely the object of a supernatural classifications add, a resume which conveniently sweeps aside the obstacles placed in the protagonist's path. Such Deus ab genus devices often undercut the works, at least when taken together as a collection. Early to Rise subverts this model somewhat, while The Wish Giver forgoes it entirely. However, both are also rather hampered by their brevity and (in the later case) lack the verve on display in the earlier works, whether that energy arises from external conflicts, internal contradiction, etc.
One rather wishes that Mardoll had expanded one or two of the stronger stories into a novella or novel-length work, ideally one which self-consciously reflects on its gender-bending plot contrivances. In this regard, the titular story might be the strongest of the collection qua gender-fantasy, insofar as it relates its conceit directly to queer life, especially the experience of questioning, which the author uses to expose the way in which queerness(es), as the Other of the cis-het patriarchal subject, by a simultaneously dialectic constitute its own Other through itself, viz: Queerness is shown to be both outside Straight-ness and inclusive of it insofar as its very possibility suggests not only the absence of straight-ness from a particular individual but the negation of the very possibility of the "normal" or "default."
In the stronger stories, the gender(s) of the figure in question form key elements of their character growth, relationships, ways of seeing and influencing the world, etc. In others, such queerness is reduced to merely the object of a supernatural classifications add, a resume which conveniently sweeps aside the obstacles placed in the protagonist's path. Such Deus ab genus devices often undercut the works, at least when taken together as a collection. Early to Rise subverts this model somewhat, while The Wish Giver forgoes it entirely. However, both are also rather hampered by their brevity and (in the later case) lack the verve on display in the earlier works, whether that energy arises from external conflicts, internal contradiction, etc.
One rather wishes that Mardoll had expanded one or two of the stronger stories into a novella or novel-length work, ideally one which self-consciously reflects on its gender-bending plot contrivances. In this regard, the titular story might be the strongest of the collection qua gender-fantasy, insofar as it relates its conceit directly to queer life, especially the experience of questioning, which the author uses to expose the way in which queerness(es), as the Other of the cis-het patriarchal subject, by a simultaneously dialectic constitute its own Other through itself, viz: Queerness is shown to be both outside Straight-ness and inclusive of it insofar as its very possibility suggests not only the absence of straight-ness from a particular individual but the negation of the very possibility of the "normal" or "default."
thebiblioklept's review against another edition
4.0
A fun fantasy anthology full of trans rep. Some stories are better than others, and none of it is exceptional, however, definitely entertaining.
fletchergross's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0