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mashedpotaylorz's review against another edition
2.0
All the stories read like first drafts. There are only a few that stand out as actual quality writing with good stories: "The Right Side of History" by Jane Rawson, "The Mangrove Maker" by Thomas Benjamin Guerney, "The Butterfly Whisperer" by Andrew Sullivan, and "Happy Hunting Ground" by Corey J. White.
barb4ry1's review against another edition
3.0
Solarpunk ideas are close to my heart. I would love to read more good fiction about a sustainable future, but it's hard to find it. Sure, there are anthologies I approach with plenty of hope, just to be disappointed shortly after. I feel too many solarpunk writers focus too much on ideas and not on characters. It doesn't work. It's by making a character relatable, or the story fun and entertaining you'll engage the reader and let him think about ideas explored in the plot.
Even though some stories were weak, I think Ecopunk! is the best solarpunk anthology on the market. It explores important issues and contains some excellent stories.
Mr. Mycelium by Claire McKenna ★★☆☆☆
Disappointing. Also, the first story in the anthology. After finishing it, I asked myself what I was getting into?
It presents a high tech Australian society, engineered animals, farming, fungi and various conflicts between people (concerning the pros and cons of the agricultural technology, pollution, traditional marriage, and multiple partners). While some ideas impressed me (applications of the fungi in bioleaching of waste materials) I found it uninspiring.
The Right Side of History by Jane Rawson ★★★☆☆
Was it supposed to be a satire? A twisty little story? I'm not sure. In the near future, humans are abandoning their houses and lands to make more room for animals. Some go as far as to go through the process of the “transference” to become an animal. Others aren't crazy about the idea. Two closely related POV characters make very different choices.
The Wandering Library by D.K. Mok ★★★★★
I need more stories from DK Mok. In a future of risen seas and fractured communications, Lani Bashir runs a mobile library service. With her faithful alpacamel, she brings colorful stories to the children of the isolated communities. When she meets an enigmatic boy with an aversion to stories, she is forced to question her own understanding of friendship, purpose, and home. Great pacing, distinct voice, relatable characters, and an intriguing story. Also, it shows a dystopia brought by scientific overreach (genetic manipulation of animals).
The Radiolarian Violin by Adam Browne ★☆☆☆☆
Meh. Nice visuals, but it barely has a plot.
Broad Church by Tess Williams ★★☆☆☆
A climate-change dystopia, with the story focusing a woman dealing with her son’s choice to become a dolphin. It didn't thrill me.
Trivalent by Rivqa Rafael ★★☆☆☆
Not for me.
Milk and Honey by Jason Fischer ★★★★★
An alternate history story in which Adolf Hitler became a famous painter and is considered one of the most influential Jews in the world. Eloise Hitler wants to do good by cloning and genetically enhancing Diprotodons, but she soon discovers death makes her feel good. Brilliant ending. Memorable and entertaining.
Island Green by Shauna O'Meara ★★★★☆
Three teams of scientists compete in an ecological reality show. They are supposed to restore food production to the salinated land and depleted reef of a former resort island to fight with food shortage. It has growing stakes, believable conflict, sense of danger, and good humor.
The City Sunk, The City Raisen by R. Jean Mathieu ★☆☆☆☆
Boring, bland, uninspiring. Sorry.
Monkey Business by Janeen Webb ★★★★★
Fast, furious, doesn't treat itself too seriously. Plus, it confirms my belief that life without coffee would be unbearable.
The story revolves around politics, environment, and illegal crops of the coffee plant. It entertains but also shows the escalating conflict between food security and biodiversity. Captain Brunelli - the coffee lover, physically and cybernetically augmented woman warrior rescues a baby capuchin monkey while defending a precious patch of rainforest. She then travels to rescue a daughter of her employers and wreaks havoc. Frankly, I wouldn't mind reading more adventures of Cap Brunelli.
The Today Home by Jason Nahrung ★★☆☆☆
Today Home touches issues of a mass-migration caused by climate changes. A good idea, but it didn't speak to me.
The Mangrove Maker by Jason Nahrung ★★☆☆☆
From the Dark by Emili Coyler ★★★☆☆
Indigo children, refugees.
The Butterfly Whisperer by Andrew Sullivan ★★★★★
An ambitious journalist on a mission to unmask the true face of Terry Shark, a mysterious billionaire helping people. She believes he does it by manipulating the weather for his financial gain. Terry Shark rhymes with Tony Stark, and it's a good parallel. The story is fast-paced, exciting, and clever. Loved it.
Future Perfect by Matthew Chrulew ★★☆☆☆
A climate change artist mourns dying species. Interesting idea, but nothing in this story hooked me.
The Scent of Betrayal by Jane Routley ★★☆☆☆
It turns out arcologies are populated by depraved one percenters. Stereotypical, and uninspiring.
First Flightt by Ian Nichols ★★★☆☆
The inaugural flight of a new airship approaches and transport and air companies have a problem with that. How far will they go to stop the ecological air travel?
Happy Hunting Ground by Corey J. White ★★☆☆☆
Dystopia set in the future in which food is controlled by corporations supported by the police. Obviously, there's a community that opposes them. It's the type of setting that allows for creative and new ideas. Unfortunately, what we get instead is a boring story about responsibility, parenthood, and (gay) love.
Pink Footed by Marian Womack ★★☆☆☆
I suppose it was intended as humorous, but it isn't. A sad little tale about the last pink-footed goose.
As you see most stories didn't work for me, but that's ok. I'm glad I've read Ecopunk anyway as I've found few veritable gems. My favorite ones are:
The Wandering Library by D.K. Mok - after finishing it I bought two books by DK Mok and I plan to read them shortly.
Milk and Honey by Jason Fischer
The Butterfly Whisperer by Andrew Sullivan
Monkey Business by Janeen Webb - I need more stories about Captain Brunelli.
Island Green by Shauna O'Meara
Worth trying.
Even though some stories were weak, I think Ecopunk! is the best solarpunk anthology on the market. It explores important issues and contains some excellent stories.
Mr. Mycelium by Claire McKenna ★★☆☆☆
Disappointing. Also, the first story in the anthology. After finishing it, I asked myself what I was getting into?
It presents a high tech Australian society, engineered animals, farming, fungi and various conflicts between people (concerning the pros and cons of the agricultural technology, pollution, traditional marriage, and multiple partners). While some ideas impressed me (applications of the fungi in bioleaching of waste materials) I found it uninspiring.
The Right Side of History by Jane Rawson ★★★☆☆
Was it supposed to be a satire? A twisty little story? I'm not sure. In the near future, humans are abandoning their houses and lands to make more room for animals. Some go as far as to go through the process of the “transference” to become an animal. Others aren't crazy about the idea. Two closely related POV characters make very different choices.
The Wandering Library by D.K. Mok ★★★★★
I need more stories from DK Mok. In a future of risen seas and fractured communications, Lani Bashir runs a mobile library service. With her faithful alpacamel, she brings colorful stories to the children of the isolated communities. When she meets an enigmatic boy with an aversion to stories, she is forced to question her own understanding of friendship, purpose, and home. Great pacing, distinct voice, relatable characters, and an intriguing story. Also, it shows a dystopia brought by scientific overreach (genetic manipulation of animals).
The Radiolarian Violin by Adam Browne ★☆☆☆☆
Meh. Nice visuals, but it barely has a plot.
Broad Church by Tess Williams ★★☆☆☆
A climate-change dystopia, with the story focusing a woman dealing with her son’s choice to become a dolphin. It didn't thrill me.
Trivalent by Rivqa Rafael ★★☆☆☆
Not for me.
Milk and Honey by Jason Fischer ★★★★★
An alternate history story in which Adolf Hitler became a famous painter and is considered one of the most influential Jews in the world. Eloise Hitler wants to do good by cloning and genetically enhancing Diprotodons, but she soon discovers death makes her feel good. Brilliant ending. Memorable and entertaining.
Island Green by Shauna O'Meara ★★★★☆
Three teams of scientists compete in an ecological reality show. They are supposed to restore food production to the salinated land and depleted reef of a former resort island to fight with food shortage. It has growing stakes, believable conflict, sense of danger, and good humor.
The City Sunk, The City Raisen by R. Jean Mathieu ★☆☆☆☆
Boring, bland, uninspiring. Sorry.
Monkey Business by Janeen Webb ★★★★★
Fast, furious, doesn't treat itself too seriously. Plus, it confirms my belief that life without coffee would be unbearable.
The story revolves around politics, environment, and illegal crops of the coffee plant. It entertains but also shows the escalating conflict between food security and biodiversity. Captain Brunelli - the coffee lover, physically and cybernetically augmented woman warrior rescues a baby capuchin monkey while defending a precious patch of rainforest. She then travels to rescue a daughter of her employers and wreaks havoc. Frankly, I wouldn't mind reading more adventures of Cap Brunelli.
The Today Home by Jason Nahrung ★★☆☆☆
Today Home touches issues of a mass-migration caused by climate changes. A good idea, but it didn't speak to me.
The Mangrove Maker by Jason Nahrung ★★☆☆☆
From the Dark by Emili Coyler ★★★☆☆
Indigo children, refugees.
The Butterfly Whisperer by Andrew Sullivan ★★★★★
An ambitious journalist on a mission to unmask the true face of Terry Shark, a mysterious billionaire helping people. She believes he does it by manipulating the weather for his financial gain. Terry Shark rhymes with Tony Stark, and it's a good parallel. The story is fast-paced, exciting, and clever. Loved it.
Future Perfect by Matthew Chrulew ★★☆☆☆
A climate change artist mourns dying species. Interesting idea, but nothing in this story hooked me.
The Scent of Betrayal by Jane Routley ★★☆☆☆
It turns out arcologies are populated by depraved one percenters. Stereotypical, and uninspiring.
First Flightt by Ian Nichols ★★★☆☆
The inaugural flight of a new airship approaches and transport and air companies have a problem with that. How far will they go to stop the ecological air travel?
Happy Hunting Ground by Corey J. White ★★☆☆☆
Dystopia set in the future in which food is controlled by corporations supported by the police. Obviously, there's a community that opposes them. It's the type of setting that allows for creative and new ideas. Unfortunately, what we get instead is a boring story about responsibility, parenthood, and (gay) love.
Pink Footed by Marian Womack ★★☆☆☆
I suppose it was intended as humorous, but it isn't. A sad little tale about the last pink-footed goose.
As you see most stories didn't work for me, but that's ok. I'm glad I've read Ecopunk anyway as I've found few veritable gems. My favorite ones are:
The Wandering Library by D.K. Mok - after finishing it I bought two books by DK Mok and I plan to read them shortly.
Milk and Honey by Jason Fischer
The Butterfly Whisperer by Andrew Sullivan
Monkey Business by Janeen Webb - I need more stories about Captain Brunelli.
Island Green by Shauna O'Meara
Worth trying.
cecooper's review
2.0
Most of these stories were really bad. However, I did enjoy "Mr Mycelium" by Claire McKenna, "The Right Side of History" by Jane Rawson, "The Wandering Library" by D.K. Mok, and "Island Green" by Shauna O'Meara. I would've given up if I didn't have to read it for an assignment.
daveversace's review
5.0
Extremely entertaining and thought-provoking collection of ecological science fiction. It's honestly hard to pick out the highlights with such a wide range of great ideas supporting great stories, but a few I liked the most include Claire McKenna's sly Jack and the Beanstalk riff with black market fungal stocks in "Mr Mycelium", D K Mok's optimistic post-flooding "The Wandering Library", Rivqa Rafael's intrepid vaccination squad in "Trivalent" and Shauna O'Meara's disaster-recovery-science reality television show in "Island Green". But ask me on a different day and I might give you four completely different faves - if this kind of near-future, cautiously optimistic SF is your bag at all, this whole collection is worth checking out.
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