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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
3.0
“Where the Stars Rise” is an anthology of Asian science fiction and fantasy. I love the variety of these twenty-three stories, encompassing many different Asian flavors, as well as many different varieties of science fiction and fantasy. Here you will find characters who are male, female, young, old, human and inhuman. There are characters with disabilities, characters of different ethnicities, robots, djinns, ghosts, mermaids, and superheroes.
As is almost inevitable in such a broad-ranging anthology, not every story appealed to me, but by and large I enjoyed this. My personal favorite was Karin Lowachee’s “Meridian,” a strong, dark tale with a haunting end. I’ve had Lowachee’s first novel waiting on my to-read shelves for a few years, and now I’ll be promoting it in the ranks. I also particularly liked Minsoo Kang’s chilling “Wintry Hearts of Those Who Rise,” Fonda Lee’s story about choices and possibilities, “Old Souls,” and Naru Dames Sundar’s brief but effective “The Orphans of Nilaveli.”
As is almost inevitable in such a broad-ranging anthology, not every story appealed to me, but by and large I enjoyed this. My personal favorite was Karin Lowachee’s “Meridian,” a strong, dark tale with a haunting end. I’ve had Lowachee’s first novel waiting on my to-read shelves for a few years, and now I’ll be promoting it in the ranks. I also particularly liked Minsoo Kang’s chilling “Wintry Hearts of Those Who Rise,” Fonda Lee’s story about choices and possibilities, “Old Souls,” and Naru Dames Sundar’s brief but effective “The Orphans of Nilaveli.”
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review
4.0
I hadn't heard of most of these authors coming in, except for Tony Pi (and as usual, Pi does not disappoint!) And now I have a whole new set of authors to read!
Lots of variation, from superheroes to high fantasy to space travel. Some stories are just fun, some are more introspective. In some stories, race and gender play a big role, while in others, they are not even mentioned.
Overall, a solid compilation. I would recommend to all fans of speculative fiction!
Lots of variation, from superheroes to high fantasy to space travel. Some stories are just fun, some are more introspective. In some stories, race and gender play a big role, while in others, they are not even mentioned.
Overall, a solid compilation. I would recommend to all fans of speculative fiction!
pelargonia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? N/A
4.0
annieb123's review
4.0
First published on my blog: Nonstop Reader
I can be fairly clueless.
I love anthologies and picked this one solely on the basis of its cover. I was not aware until I started reading the introduction (yes, I read the introduction and you should also) that it was a collection of Asian SF & fantasy.
Second background tidbit: I have been involved in fandom in one form or another for over 40 years until I mostly passed the baton on to my three minions (two females and a male).
This means, as a female heavily involved in fandom in the late 60's through the 00's, I've been marginalized, patted on the head, straight up disdained, called names, and worse. Some of the nastiness came from my 'peers' in non-fandom of course, but a discouragingly large amount came from other fans. Generally caucasian, nearly universally male. You grow a tough skin, you move on (or quit).
Fast forward to the time period between 2000 and the present day. Non-white-non-male fans and authors seemed more welcome to the dialogue and to bring N-W-N-M voices to the chorus. Things seemed to be going ticketty-boo. Then the backlash. There always seems to be a backlash. Puppygate, calling out Social Justice Warriors, etc etc.
For people who will read the description and think 'Where the Stars Rise is not for me'. Or 'these authors' voices are not speaking to things which concern me', this is a collection of well written (in some cases transcendent) stories which speak to our common existence. They're not all perfect of course, but all of them are worthwhile.
As stated on the cover, this is a collection of 23 short works written by Asian authors. As with all anthologies, it's a mixed lot. They're all in the 3-5 star range, well weighted to the upper 4 star range. There are some truly standout pieces; Memoriam by Priya Sridhar, Back to Myan by Regina Kanyu Wang, and The dataSultan of Streets and Stars, by Jeremy Szal were amazing for me. There are many more well written stories included, but just these three alone are worth the price of the anthology.
Why is it important to read and expose oneself to other voices and other ideas? It's precisely because our strength is in our diversity. Unity and understanding can only come from growth. What other people have to say is vitally important and if we're going to live together on this planet and not die together, we desperately need to stop marginalizing one another.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
I can be fairly clueless.
I love anthologies and picked this one solely on the basis of its cover. I was not aware until I started reading the introduction (yes, I read the introduction and you should also) that it was a collection of Asian SF & fantasy.
Second background tidbit: I have been involved in fandom in one form or another for over 40 years until I mostly passed the baton on to my three minions (two females and a male).
This means, as a female heavily involved in fandom in the late 60's through the 00's, I've been marginalized, patted on the head, straight up disdained, called names, and worse. Some of the nastiness came from my 'peers' in non-fandom of course, but a discouragingly large amount came from other fans. Generally caucasian, nearly universally male. You grow a tough skin, you move on (or quit).
Fast forward to the time period between 2000 and the present day. Non-white-non-male fans and authors seemed more welcome to the dialogue and to bring N-W-N-M voices to the chorus. Things seemed to be going ticketty-boo. Then the backlash. There always seems to be a backlash. Puppygate, calling out Social Justice Warriors, etc etc.
For people who will read the description and think 'Where the Stars Rise is not for me'. Or 'these authors' voices are not speaking to things which concern me', this is a collection of well written (in some cases transcendent) stories which speak to our common existence. They're not all perfect of course, but all of them are worthwhile.
As stated on the cover, this is a collection of 23 short works written by Asian authors. As with all anthologies, it's a mixed lot. They're all in the 3-5 star range, well weighted to the upper 4 star range. There are some truly standout pieces; Memoriam by Priya Sridhar, Back to Myan by Regina Kanyu Wang, and The dataSultan of Streets and Stars, by Jeremy Szal were amazing for me. There are many more well written stories included, but just these three alone are worth the price of the anthology.
Why is it important to read and expose oneself to other voices and other ideas? It's precisely because our strength is in our diversity. Unity and understanding can only come from growth. What other people have to say is vitally important and if we're going to live together on this planet and not die together, we desperately need to stop marginalizing one another.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
alexperc_92's review
4.0
I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of the few times a publisher on NetGalley granted my wish! And this anthology was an adventure, though space and regions where every part of the human psyche was covered. From lovers and drug dealers to revenge and politics this book has a gorgeous cast, amazing authors who I am going to check too (since I know only Amanda Sun!) and a glorious representation of the Asian culture, even through the spectrum of the sci-fi genre!
Truly recommended!
This was one of the few times a publisher on NetGalley granted my wish! And this anthology was an adventure, though space and regions where every part of the human psyche was covered. From lovers and drug dealers to revenge and politics this book has a gorgeous cast, amazing authors who I am going to check too (since I know only Amanda Sun!) and a glorious representation of the Asian culture, even through the spectrum of the sci-fi genre!
Truly recommended!
serranok's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aardwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Variety, ambition, range, and emotion. Some of the stories were duds for me, but that's how an anthology is. They may work perfectly for you.
spacerookie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
Great read.
My favourites:
Weaving Silk by Amanda Sun
A Visitation for the Spirit Festival by Diana Xin
Meridian by Karin Lowachee*
Wintry Hearts of Those Who Rise by Minsoo Kang
Decision by Joyce Chng
Old Souls by Fonda Lee
The Orphans of Nilaveli by Naru Dames Sundar*
*My two favourite favourites.
My favourites:
Weaving Silk by Amanda Sun
A Visitation for the Spirit Festival by Diana Xin
Meridian by Karin Lowachee*
Wintry Hearts of Those Who Rise by Minsoo Kang
Decision by Joyce Chng
Old Souls by Fonda Lee
The Orphans of Nilaveli by Naru Dames Sundar*
*My two favourite favourites.
mlludwig's review against another edition
3.0
Typical of anthologies, enjoyed some & didn't enjoy others. Averaged out to 3 stars