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rodneywilhite's review against another edition
I bought it for the Ted Chiang story, which was great, but I liked a lot of the stories. Some were better than others, sure, but the whole thing was really fun.
metaphorosis's review against another edition
2.0
If these were the best stories of 2007, I'm afraid it wasn't a very good year. More likely, I just don't agree with Mr. Dozois' choices.
I picked this up at a discount store for $5, and for that, it's reasonably good value for money. There's a lot in this, including a (numbingly detailed) review of the year's magazines and SF news, and a long list of runners up. Almost 700 pages of SF info.
Unfortunately, many of the 32 stories included just aren't very good. Dozois has included many of the big names in the field, but they don't always measure up. None of the stories are really bad, but there are quite a few in the 'eh' category. And while he generally avoids all out fantasy, not all the stories are really true SF.
Still, some of the stories were very good. My favorites included:
"Against the Current" by [a:Robert Silverberg|4338|Robert Silverberg|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1366300348p2/4338.jpg]. A time travel story that doesn't really go anywhere, but works regardless.
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by [a:Ted Chiang|130698|Ted Chiang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1208187207p2/130698.jpg]. Not very SF, but a good story.
"Steve Fever" by [a:Greg Egan|32699|Greg Egan|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1375595103p2/32699.jpg]. Longer than it needed to be, but a nice exploration of a concept.
"Tideline" by [a:Elizabeth Bear|108173|Elizabeth Bear|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1219878171p2/108173.jpg]. A surprising but touching story of duty and devotion.
I gave this 3 stars, at first, but downgraded when I went back through looking for favorites, and realized how few qualified.
I picked this up at a discount store for $5, and for that, it's reasonably good value for money. There's a lot in this, including a (numbingly detailed) review of the year's magazines and SF news, and a long list of runners up. Almost 700 pages of SF info.
Unfortunately, many of the 32 stories included just aren't very good. Dozois has included many of the big names in the field, but they don't always measure up. None of the stories are really bad, but there are quite a few in the 'eh' category. And while he generally avoids all out fantasy, not all the stories are really true SF.
Still, some of the stories were very good. My favorites included:
"Against the Current" by [a:Robert Silverberg|4338|Robert Silverberg|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1366300348p2/4338.jpg]. A time travel story that doesn't really go anywhere, but works regardless.
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by [a:Ted Chiang|130698|Ted Chiang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1208187207p2/130698.jpg]. Not very SF, but a good story.
"Steve Fever" by [a:Greg Egan|32699|Greg Egan|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1375595103p2/32699.jpg]. Longer than it needed to be, but a nice exploration of a concept.
"Tideline" by [a:Elizabeth Bear|108173|Elizabeth Bear|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1219878171p2/108173.jpg]. A surprising but touching story of duty and devotion.
I gave this 3 stars, at first, but downgraded when I went back through looking for favorites, and realized how few qualified.
nwhyte's review against another edition
4.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2045531.html[return][return]Big collection of sf short stories published in 2007, of which I had read very few - the five Hugo nominees (of which I remembered only three, Ted Chiang's "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate", Stephen Baxter's "Last Contact" and Elizabeth Bear's "Tideline"). Several stories new to me that particularly grabbed me: "An Ocean Is a Snowflake, Four Billion Miles Away" by John Barnes; "Sea Change", by Una McCormack; "Against the Current", by Robert Silverberg; "Of Love and Other Monsters", by Vandana Singh; "The Mists of Time", by Tom Purdom; and "The Prophet of Flores", by Ted Kosmatka. No turkeys; as usual a good collection.
spacenoirdetective's review against another edition
5.0
An overview:
The awesome:
Lighting Out by Ken MacLeod - I liked this story for the bizarre technology, the description of what FTL felt like and the disjointing way AI was incorporated into daily life was filled with original and unexpected moments.
Of Late I Dreamt of Venus by James van Pelt - Alright! A kickass story about a woman to whom nothing is ever good enough as she terraforms Venus. With a powerfully emotional ending that left me well, as speechless as the main character.
Against the Current by Robert Silverberg - One of the saddest and funniest time travel stories I've ever come across. Beautifully tragic. A fair warning for anyone who has ever passingly wished they could travel through time.
The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate by Ted Chiang - Historically gorgeous time travel story, and told in the style of the Arabian Nights. Ted Chiang is a genius.
Beyond the Wall by Justin Stanchfield - Took me by complete surprise. A great alien archaeological mind fuck does just that!
Kiosk by Bruce Sterling - Mind blowing tale of future Russia as it deals with the economic upset of nanotech evolution and its effects in the marketplace. The characters could have been out of any time period as they grapple to earn a living.
Last Contact by Stephen Baxter - Good bye, the universe! A nicely told little tale of how everything in existence is being eaten up. Think Neverending Story without the happy ending.
The Sledge-Maker's Daughter by Alastair Reynolds - A slam dunk for Mr. Reynolds. This is by far the most deeply moving of any of Reynolds works that I've read thus far. A planet so far in the future after it has regressed to a more primitive tech state and a fiercely independent young girl equals a feminist tale brimming with images that I can't get out of my head.
The Skysailor's Tale by Michael Swanwick - One of the best steampunk stories ever written. Take my word on that. Beautiful and lyrically tragic.
Of Love and Other Monsters by Vandana Singh - Oh HELL yes. Indian aliens, subtle telepathy, dopplegangers, secret societies, revenge plots, love triangles and betrayals, this story literally has everything. Ms. Singh my hat is off to you.
Steve Fever by Greg Egan - A weird, short little tale of nano AI's that just fuck with people because they don't know any better. Then everyone just goes back to normal, whatever that can be considered. Bizarre and memorable.
Hellfire at Twilight by Kage Baker - Roman god worshiping Brits in the 16th century and an android from the future sent to get valuable artifacts make for a memorable evening, for sure.
The Immortals of Atlantis by Brian Stableford - A wonderfully messed up scenario that proves that appearances can be very deceiving. Sometimes you never know what your potential can be until someone tells you.
Nothing Personal by Pat Cadigan - This one really didn't grab me until nearly the end, and then it became amazing. Be patient with this one. A detective dreads something and it turns out her fears are more than justified...
Tideline by Elizabeth Bear - I nearly cried over this goddamn story. It's about an AI shaped like a rover as it consoles a young boy in a no man's land beach after a war has wiped out untold millions. I couldn't believe how moved I was by a rover dying. Thank you, Ms. Bear.
The Accord by Keith Brooke - WEIRD story here about a fantastic planet and some dude who is a god in a future where humanity and heaven have an accord. This story will tie your mind in philosophic knots for days.
Laws of Survival by Nancy Kress - One of the funniest stories about dogs of aliens or homeless girls I've ever read. Also bleak and terrifying and then hilarious again. Kress is wonderfully humane and at her absolute best. I've loved her for years and this has become my very favorite story of hers.
Stray by Benjamin Rosenbaum and David Ackert - A deeply moving story about racism, immortality, and religion that weaves a very unique perspective. Think you've heard every immortality plotline? Think again.
Roxie by Robert Reed - This is a great story about a dog that had almost no science fiction in it. There's an asteroid that may or may not hit the earth. What is important is DOGGIE!!!
Dark Heaven by Gregory Benford - This is one of the most atmospheric stories about the South as it is infested by amphibious aliens that eat people I've ever read. It would work as a great Southern noir crime story without the aliens. Luckily for us, there are, and they are some fucked up immigrant aliens that have some fucked up beliefs that leave the main character wishing he had never walked into this scenario. It's the best gumshoes that always have regrets...
And the rest...
Finisterra by David Moles; Gross and kind of interesting. Evil Muslims from a semi dystopian future earth attack and harvest giant living islands. Meh.
An Ocean is a Snowflake, Four Billion Miles Away by John Barnes - some passive aggressive people fighting on Mars as some dude films rocks. Great.
Saving Tiamaat by Gwyneth Jones - It's nice to read a story where aliens are not looked down upon for cannibalism. I HATE that. So judgmental of people. Stupid judgment. Sufficed to say, diplomacy has its ups and downs!
Verthandi's Ring by Ian McDonald; - I don't care for McDonald's work. I just can't get into it.
Sea Change by Una McCormack - The future sucks, life for the poor sucks, global warming sucks. Tell me something I don't know.
The Sky is Large and the Earth is Small by Chris Roberson - Semi good story here about alternate history China spying on alternate history Aztecs and seeing if they pose a threat. Meh.
Glory by Greg Egan - Dude makes an AI daughter and she is just your normal average teenager except that he made an extra part so that in alternate dimensions, all her alternates will follow the same pattern. She runs away and gets raped a lot. Then he saves her. Then she rips out the part. Now you don't have to read this story. Bleh.
Alien Archaeology by Neal Asher - I kind of liked this. It was weird as hell.
Sanjeev and Robotwallah by Ian McDonald - blah blah India blah blah singularity.
The Mists of Time by Tom Purdom - Bitchy, unpleasant people fighting as they film a slave ship captured as they watch in their time ship, fighting about the TV show they're making. Eh.
Craters by Kristine Kathryn Rusch - Shitty Middle Eastern country is shitty.
The Prophet of Flores by Ted Kosmatka - Stupid, boring story about a dude in an alternate universe where creationism rules supreme. Yawn.
The awesome:
Lighting Out by Ken MacLeod - I liked this story for the bizarre technology, the description of what FTL felt like and the disjointing way AI was incorporated into daily life was filled with original and unexpected moments.
Of Late I Dreamt of Venus by James van Pelt - Alright! A kickass story about a woman to whom nothing is ever good enough as she terraforms Venus. With a powerfully emotional ending that left me well, as speechless as the main character.
Against the Current by Robert Silverberg - One of the saddest and funniest time travel stories I've ever come across. Beautifully tragic. A fair warning for anyone who has ever passingly wished they could travel through time.
The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate by Ted Chiang - Historically gorgeous time travel story, and told in the style of the Arabian Nights. Ted Chiang is a genius.
Beyond the Wall by Justin Stanchfield - Took me by complete surprise. A great alien archaeological mind fuck does just that!
Kiosk by Bruce Sterling - Mind blowing tale of future Russia as it deals with the economic upset of nanotech evolution and its effects in the marketplace. The characters could have been out of any time period as they grapple to earn a living.
Last Contact by Stephen Baxter - Good bye, the universe! A nicely told little tale of how everything in existence is being eaten up. Think Neverending Story without the happy ending.
The Sledge-Maker's Daughter by Alastair Reynolds - A slam dunk for Mr. Reynolds. This is by far the most deeply moving of any of Reynolds works that I've read thus far. A planet so far in the future after it has regressed to a more primitive tech state and a fiercely independent young girl equals a feminist tale brimming with images that I can't get out of my head.
The Skysailor's Tale by Michael Swanwick - One of the best steampunk stories ever written. Take my word on that. Beautiful and lyrically tragic.
Of Love and Other Monsters by Vandana Singh - Oh HELL yes. Indian aliens, subtle telepathy, dopplegangers, secret societies, revenge plots, love triangles and betrayals, this story literally has everything. Ms. Singh my hat is off to you.
Steve Fever by Greg Egan - A weird, short little tale of nano AI's that just fuck with people because they don't know any better. Then everyone just goes back to normal, whatever that can be considered. Bizarre and memorable.
Hellfire at Twilight by Kage Baker - Roman god worshiping Brits in the 16th century and an android from the future sent to get valuable artifacts make for a memorable evening, for sure.
The Immortals of Atlantis by Brian Stableford - A wonderfully messed up scenario that proves that appearances can be very deceiving. Sometimes you never know what your potential can be until someone tells you.
Nothing Personal by Pat Cadigan - This one really didn't grab me until nearly the end, and then it became amazing. Be patient with this one. A detective dreads something and it turns out her fears are more than justified...
Tideline by Elizabeth Bear - I nearly cried over this goddamn story. It's about an AI shaped like a rover as it consoles a young boy in a no man's land beach after a war has wiped out untold millions. I couldn't believe how moved I was by a rover dying. Thank you, Ms. Bear.
The Accord by Keith Brooke - WEIRD story here about a fantastic planet and some dude who is a god in a future where humanity and heaven have an accord. This story will tie your mind in philosophic knots for days.
Laws of Survival by Nancy Kress - One of the funniest stories about dogs of aliens or homeless girls I've ever read. Also bleak and terrifying and then hilarious again. Kress is wonderfully humane and at her absolute best. I've loved her for years and this has become my very favorite story of hers.
Stray by Benjamin Rosenbaum and David Ackert - A deeply moving story about racism, immortality, and religion that weaves a very unique perspective. Think you've heard every immortality plotline? Think again.
Roxie by Robert Reed - This is a great story about a dog that had almost no science fiction in it. There's an asteroid that may or may not hit the earth. What is important is DOGGIE!!!
Dark Heaven by Gregory Benford - This is one of the most atmospheric stories about the South as it is infested by amphibious aliens that eat people I've ever read. It would work as a great Southern noir crime story without the aliens. Luckily for us, there are, and they are some fucked up immigrant aliens that have some fucked up beliefs that leave the main character wishing he had never walked into this scenario. It's the best gumshoes that always have regrets...
And the rest...
Finisterra by David Moles; Gross and kind of interesting. Evil Muslims from a semi dystopian future earth attack and harvest giant living islands. Meh.
An Ocean is a Snowflake, Four Billion Miles Away by John Barnes - some passive aggressive people fighting on Mars as some dude films rocks. Great.
Saving Tiamaat by Gwyneth Jones - It's nice to read a story where aliens are not looked down upon for cannibalism. I HATE that. So judgmental of people. Stupid judgment. Sufficed to say, diplomacy has its ups and downs!
Verthandi's Ring by Ian McDonald; - I don't care for McDonald's work. I just can't get into it.
Sea Change by Una McCormack - The future sucks, life for the poor sucks, global warming sucks. Tell me something I don't know.
The Sky is Large and the Earth is Small by Chris Roberson - Semi good story here about alternate history China spying on alternate history Aztecs and seeing if they pose a threat. Meh.
Glory by Greg Egan - Dude makes an AI daughter and she is just your normal average teenager except that he made an extra part so that in alternate dimensions, all her alternates will follow the same pattern. She runs away and gets raped a lot. Then he saves her. Then she rips out the part. Now you don't have to read this story. Bleh.
Alien Archaeology by Neal Asher - I kind of liked this. It was weird as hell.
Sanjeev and Robotwallah by Ian McDonald - blah blah India blah blah singularity.
The Mists of Time by Tom Purdom - Bitchy, unpleasant people fighting as they film a slave ship captured as they watch in their time ship, fighting about the TV show they're making. Eh.
Craters by Kristine Kathryn Rusch - Shitty Middle Eastern country is shitty.
The Prophet of Flores by Ted Kosmatka - Stupid, boring story about a dude in an alternate universe where creationism rules supreme. Yawn.
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