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tricapra's review
3.0
"A Queer anthology featuring stories inspired by magic and the cosmos, a vast and beautiful place where planets, stars, comets, entire galaxies even, live without borders, specifications or binaries. Stories will span science fiction, science fantasy, contemporary, fabulism and magical realism."
I wanted to like this anthology so much more than I did! A fan of short story collections and a member of the lgbt community, it seems like it would be perfect for me. This isn't my first queer anthology rodeo. Unfortunately, I felt this collection was slightly clunky. Of the 9 stories included, I only felt two really stood out. Awry with Dandelions by J.S. Field and Death Marked by Sara Cordair. I feel like perhaps some of the joy of nonbinary characters by authors from their own community was lost on me as a cis person, and there may be a bit more joy and wonder for a nonbinary or trans reader. Or perhaps most the stories were just a vein of magical realism that isn't right for me! It's hard to tell. Either way I'm sure this collection will be delightful in the hands of a reader seeking a more specific nb experience!
I wanted to like this anthology so much more than I did! A fan of short story collections and a member of the lgbt community, it seems like it would be perfect for me. This isn't my first queer anthology rodeo. Unfortunately, I felt this collection was slightly clunky. Of the 9 stories included, I only felt two really stood out. Awry with Dandelions by J.S. Field and Death Marked by Sara Cordair. I feel like perhaps some of the joy of nonbinary characters by authors from their own community was lost on me as a cis person, and there may be a bit more joy and wonder for a nonbinary or trans reader. Or perhaps most the stories were just a vein of magical realism that isn't right for me! It's hard to tell. Either way I'm sure this collection will be delightful in the hands of a reader seeking a more specific nb experience!
veecaswell's review
4.0
A Queer anthology inspired by magic and the cosmos, a vast and beautiful place where planets, stars, comets—entire galaxies, even—live without borders, specifications or binaries. Stories span science fiction, science fantasy, contemporary, fabulism and magical realism, and celebrate Non-binary and Transgender characters
Everyone one of these writers in this collection brings something that made me want to keep on reading their stories. The first short story pulls you in and keeps you in until the very end of the collection as we see the importance of friendship and connection in stories such as ‘Twice-spent Comet’ to the final story ‘Death Marked’ where we see the importance of family.
To see such great representation in fiction is rare, so this compilation really is a treat for me, as this book is packed with well formed and really well developed characters that even in these short bursts make for excellent reading and make you yearn for the story in full. For me this is especially true of ‘Twice Spent Comet’ which I feel would be a great graphic novel too, but also stories such as ‘Ink And Stars’ you can’t leave me hanging like that!
A brilliant collection of short stories, I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a dash of scifi or magical realism that hits right throughout the whole of this book.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
Everyone one of these writers in this collection brings something that made me want to keep on reading their stories. The first short story pulls you in and keeps you in until the very end of the collection as we see the importance of friendship and connection in stories such as ‘Twice-spent Comet’ to the final story ‘Death Marked’ where we see the importance of family.
To see such great representation in fiction is rare, so this compilation really is a treat for me, as this book is packed with well formed and really well developed characters that even in these short bursts make for excellent reading and make you yearn for the story in full. For me this is especially true of ‘Twice Spent Comet’ which I feel would be a great graphic novel too, but also stories such as ‘Ink And Stars’ you can’t leave me hanging like that!
A brilliant collection of short stories, I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a dash of scifi or magical realism that hits right throughout the whole of this book.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
joanareads's review
4.0
I love reading anthologies, and this one didn't disappoint. It's nice to see so many diversity in one book and all in fantasy stories! I also really appreciated all the stories having trigger warnings at the beginning. My overall rating was 3.6, rounded up to 4. Here's a rating for all the stories:
Twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz
3.5 Stars
The writing in this one was so magical and beautiful, I was ready to read a full novel! There’s all kinds of queer representation and poly relationships, and mermaids, and found families. The only downside was I was a little confused throughout, but that might be just me.
From Dusk to Dying Sun by Paige S. Allen
4 Stars
This felt pretty contemporary up to the last few pages but I loved the characters and the relationships between them so much! It’s also written in second person which I always think is super cool.
Lost/Found by Brooklyn Ray
4 Stars
Imagine falling in love with a star? That’s it, that’s the tweet. But also positive depiction of sex work!
I’d also add a domestic violence TW to the ones listed.
Awry with dandelions by J. S. Fields
3.5 Stars
This was nice! A little long but I really enjoyed the ending.
The Far Touch by S. R. Jones
2 Stars
Unfortunately this wasn’t a favorite. My biggest pet peeve with short stories is being confused way too further in. I just had to skim half of this.
Ink and Stars by Alex Harrow
4 Stars
This kept my interest all throughout and I thought the relationships between the characters were super interesting.
Horologium by Emmet Nahil
2.5 Stars
This was just too complex for a short story in my opinion.
Death Marked by Sara Codair
5 Stars
This was so good! I loved the characters and the pacing I wish it was a full novel
Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo
4 Stars
That was hot, that’s all ... not but really I loved our main character Ari so much.
Twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz
3.5 Stars
The writing in this one was so magical and beautiful, I was ready to read a full novel! There’s all kinds of queer representation and poly relationships, and mermaids, and found families. The only downside was I was a little confused throughout, but that might be just me.
From Dusk to Dying Sun by Paige S. Allen
4 Stars
This felt pretty contemporary up to the last few pages but I loved the characters and the relationships between them so much! It’s also written in second person which I always think is super cool.
Lost/Found by Brooklyn Ray
4 Stars
Imagine falling in love with a star? That’s it, that’s the tweet. But also positive depiction of sex work!
I’d also add a domestic violence TW to the ones listed.
Awry with dandelions by J. S. Fields
3.5 Stars
This was nice! A little long but I really enjoyed the ending.
The Far Touch by S. R. Jones
2 Stars
Unfortunately this wasn’t a favorite. My biggest pet peeve with short stories is being confused way too further in. I just had to skim half of this.
Ink and Stars by Alex Harrow
4 Stars
This kept my interest all throughout and I thought the relationships between the characters were super interesting.
Horologium by Emmet Nahil
2.5 Stars
This was just too complex for a short story in my opinion.
Death Marked by Sara Codair
5 Stars
This was so good! I loved the characters and the pacing I wish it was a full novel
Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo
4 Stars
That was hot, that’s all ... not but really I loved our main character Ari so much.
iam's review against another edition
Read the full review on the blog
3.5 stars
Lovely queer anthology featuring mostly nonbinary trans characters in stories about magic, stars and the universe.
Short stories are a bit of a hit-or-miss for me, and I have to admit that most of these didn‘t hit the mark for me personally. On the positive side, I didn‘t actively hated any of them (something that occurs quite often for me with short stories,) it was more of a case of me not quite connecting with them, not getting what they were trying to tell me or which feeling they were supposed to evoke.
This might also be a case of me not being in the right mindset when I read them.
Another thing was that the stories didn‘t go where I expected – or wanted – them to go, which is a very personal issue and not on the authors.
Other short stories were amazing, and made me want to read about the settings for entire novels rather than just a short story!
Overall I loved what the anthology stands for, and the stories have a ton of potiential. Their themes, characters and moods are spread widely, and any reader will find something in there they love.
You can find individual ratings and reviews on the blog
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
3.5 stars
Lovely queer anthology featuring mostly nonbinary trans characters in stories about magic, stars and the universe.
Short stories are a bit of a hit-or-miss for me, and I have to admit that most of these didn‘t hit the mark for me personally. On the positive side, I didn‘t actively hated any of them (something that occurs quite often for me with short stories,) it was more of a case of me not quite connecting with them, not getting what they were trying to tell me or which feeling they were supposed to evoke.
This might also be a case of me not being in the right mindset when I read them.
Another thing was that the stories didn‘t go where I expected – or wanted – them to go, which is a very personal issue and not on the authors.
Other short stories were amazing, and made me want to read about the settings for entire novels rather than just a short story!
Overall I loved what the anthology stands for, and the stories have a ton of potiential. Their themes, characters and moods are spread widely, and any reader will find something in there they love.
You can find individual ratings and reviews on the blog
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
emmalita's review
4.0
I was excited to see Behind the Sun, Above the Moon on NetGalley and delighted to receive it in exchange for an honest review.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this because Anna Zabo is one of the authors I am diving into this year. I was also intrigued by an anthology of non-binary and transgender characters. I enjoyed all of the stories that I read, but I did not read all of the stories in the anthology. I am having a period of high anxiety and in this state, I react more strongly to body horror. Fortunately, there are content warnings before each story and I skipped the ones that said body horror. They may or may not have ratcheted up my anxiety, but I appreciated the option to skip them.
The stories I did read all deal with the permeability of boundaries. In J.S. Fields’ “Awry with Dandelions”, Orin (xie) and Mette (she) have a magical connection that puts them in each other’s dreams for a few seconds each night, leaving them feeling physically ill and exhausted. Mette figures out a way to sever the connection, but it must be done in a specific place and time. There’s a heist like feel to the adventure as well as a melancholy about separating from someone who has shared your mind.
In S.R. Jones “The Far Touch,” Kel (he), an astronaut, returns to his planet to join his coven for a ritual. Like humans on Earth, the dominant species of his planet seems to be hurtling destruction of the planet. Even back on planet, Kel feels an awareness of the ground under his feet and the space above him. It’s a beautiful meditation on connectedness.
My favorite story was Anna Zabo’s “Weave the Dark, Weave the Light.” Ari (they) is a fire witch who feels like a failure. They go ice skating and while out meet a mysterious and dangerous stranger who appears human, but is not.
Ari and Jonathon start an affair that isn’t, they agree, a romance. I’ve read a lot of bad BDSM romances, and I have rarely believed that the author had any idea what they were writing about. Without speculating about Anna Zabo’s private life, they write about bondage and pain play with a realism and ecstasy that I have rarely encountered. Ari and Jonathon may not have been in a romance, but “Weave the Dark, Weave the Light” is a romance with a lovely Happily for Now.
A Queer anthology inspired by magic and the cosmos, a vast and beautiful place where planets, stars, comets—entire galaxies, even—live without borders, specifications or binaries. Stories span science fiction, science fantasy, contemporary, fabulism and magical realism, and celebrate Non-binary and Transgender characters.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this because Anna Zabo is one of the authors I am diving into this year. I was also intrigued by an anthology of non-binary and transgender characters. I enjoyed all of the stories that I read, but I did not read all of the stories in the anthology. I am having a period of high anxiety and in this state, I react more strongly to body horror. Fortunately, there are content warnings before each story and I skipped the ones that said body horror. They may or may not have ratcheted up my anxiety, but I appreciated the option to skip them.
The stories I did read all deal with the permeability of boundaries. In J.S. Fields’ “Awry with Dandelions”, Orin (xie) and Mette (she) have a magical connection that puts them in each other’s dreams for a few seconds each night, leaving them feeling physically ill and exhausted. Mette figures out a way to sever the connection, but it must be done in a specific place and time. There’s a heist like feel to the adventure as well as a melancholy about separating from someone who has shared your mind.
In S.R. Jones “The Far Touch,” Kel (he), an astronaut, returns to his planet to join his coven for a ritual. Like humans on Earth, the dominant species of his planet seems to be hurtling destruction of the planet. Even back on planet, Kel feels an awareness of the ground under his feet and the space above him. It’s a beautiful meditation on connectedness.
My favorite story was Anna Zabo’s “Weave the Dark, Weave the Light.” Ari (they) is a fire witch who feels like a failure. They go ice skating and while out meet a mysterious and dangerous stranger who appears human, but is not.
But Ari had a heart of knives and a soul of fire. Of course they’d follow.
Ari and Jonathon start an affair that isn’t, they agree, a romance. I’ve read a lot of bad BDSM romances, and I have rarely believed that the author had any idea what they were writing about. Without speculating about Anna Zabo’s private life, they write about bondage and pain play with a realism and ecstasy that I have rarely encountered. Ari and Jonathon may not have been in a romance, but “Weave the Dark, Weave the Light” is a romance with a lovely Happily for Now.
“Tell me about stars.”
Jonathan did, with words that made sense and ones that didn’t, and then whispered truths in a language Ari didn’t know. About loneliness and eternity. Falling to earth. The song of the universe that still echoed in Jonathan’s ears. Ari shuddered and listened. Cold fire wrapped into their marrow, and that at least they understood.
calypte's review
4.0
Nine short sci-fi stories with an LGBTQ slant. I’ve always thought, given the level of fantastical imagination in the genre, it feels odd to stick to ‘he’ and ‘she’ and things that were considered ‘normal’ 50 years ago o.O So yes, we have a princess marrying not just one but two women, a non-binary witch falling for a star (and I don't mean a famous person!), and pronouns from ‘they’ to ‘xie’.
A couple of the stories didn't quite work for me, but overall this is a great collection full of some intriguing concepts.
Full review is up on my blog, and my thanks to Ninestar Press for the ARC.
A couple of the stories didn't quite work for me, but overall this is a great collection full of some intriguing concepts.
Full review is up on my blog, and my thanks to Ninestar Press for the ARC.
judeinthestars's review
5.0
4.5* – I am not a huge short stories reader. I often feel that by the time I’m into the story, it’s over. Seeing J. S. Fields’ name on the cover of this anthology however made me want to give it a try. I loved the Ardulum series so much, I wanted more of their writing.
Behind the Sun, Above the Moon offers nine definitions, nine interpretations of magic, nine representations of non-binary characters in own voices. The stories take the reader from world to world, universe to universe. Some are set on Earth, others are not, in an intriguing mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Some are stories of redemption, some feel like beginnings, others like the end of forever.
They didn’t all work for me on the same level, but I found them all thought-inspiring and captivating. Short stories collection can be very uneven, but this one feels completely coherent, and not repetitive either. Even the story I liked the least – Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo – is really good. My favourites were twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz (a little slow to start but beautiful), Awry with Dandelions by J. S. Fields – surprise! – and Death Marked by Sara Codair.
1- twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz
2- From Dusk to Dying Sun by Paige S. Allen
3- Lost/Found by Brooklyn Ray
4- Awry with Dandelions by J. S. Fields
5- The Far Touch by S. R. Jones
6- Ink and Stars by Alex Harrow
7- Horologium by Emmett Nahil
8- Death Marked by Sara Codair
9- Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Behind the Sun, Above the Moon offers nine definitions, nine interpretations of magic, nine representations of non-binary characters in own voices. The stories take the reader from world to world, universe to universe. Some are set on Earth, others are not, in an intriguing mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Some are stories of redemption, some feel like beginnings, others like the end of forever.
They didn’t all work for me on the same level, but I found them all thought-inspiring and captivating. Short stories collection can be very uneven, but this one feels completely coherent, and not repetitive either. Even the story I liked the least – Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo – is really good. My favourites were twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz (a little slow to start but beautiful), Awry with Dandelions by J. S. Fields – surprise! – and Death Marked by Sara Codair.
1- twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz
2- From Dusk to Dying Sun by Paige S. Allen
3- Lost/Found by Brooklyn Ray
4- Awry with Dandelions by J. S. Fields
5- The Far Touch by S. R. Jones
6- Ink and Stars by Alex Harrow
7- Horologium by Emmett Nahil
8- Death Marked by Sara Codair
9- Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
ijustkindalikebooks's review
4.0
A Queer anthology inspired by magic and the cosmos, a vast and beautiful place where planets, stars, comets—entire galaxies, even—live without borders, specifications or binaries. Stories span science fiction, science fantasy, contemporary, fabulism and magical realism, and celebrate Non-binary and Transgender characters
Everyone one of these writers in this collection brings something that made me want to keep on reading their stories. The first short story pulls you in and keeps you in until the very end of the collection as we see the importance of friendship and connection in stories such as ‘Twice-spent Comet’ to the final story ‘Death Marked’ where we see the importance of family.
To see such great representation in fiction is rare, so this compilation really is a treat for me, as this book is packed with well formed and really well developed characters that even in these short bursts make for excellent reading and make you yearn for the story in full. For me this is especially true of ‘Twice Spent Comet’ which I feel would be a great graphic novel too, but also stories such as ‘Ink And Stars’ you can’t leave me hanging like that!
A brilliant collection of short stories, I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a dash of scifi or magical realism that hits right throughout the whole of this book.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
Everyone one of these writers in this collection brings something that made me want to keep on reading their stories. The first short story pulls you in and keeps you in until the very end of the collection as we see the importance of friendship and connection in stories such as ‘Twice-spent Comet’ to the final story ‘Death Marked’ where we see the importance of family.
To see such great representation in fiction is rare, so this compilation really is a treat for me, as this book is packed with well formed and really well developed characters that even in these short bursts make for excellent reading and make you yearn for the story in full. For me this is especially true of ‘Twice Spent Comet’ which I feel would be a great graphic novel too, but also stories such as ‘Ink And Stars’ you can’t leave me hanging like that!
A brilliant collection of short stories, I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a dash of scifi or magical realism that hits right throughout the whole of this book.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
laurencarter's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I am not a fan of anthologies, there's always stories that you love, like and dislike in them so it's hard to review/rate them. That being said, I really wanted to pick this one up. A Sci-fi queer anthology with a cast of great authors and a focus on non-binary characters? Hell yeah.
Of course, there's was some stories I loved more than others but there wasn't one I hated! Which is so rare for anthologies. I LOVED that they are all sci-fi - it was great bouncing around from universe to universe and getting acquainted with all of the different characters with different personality traits, pronouns, sexualities etc.
The book was completely consistent and even though it focuses on the same genre, it didn't feelrepetitive either. The stories have all stuck with me, I really enjoyed Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo and Twice-Spent Comet by Ziggy Schutz but as I said, there wasn't a story I didn't enjoy.
Even though the stories don't connect, they flowed really well together from one to the other. The non-binary characters were written flawlessly into the stories - I would really love to see more books do this. I would also say, there are TW/CW before the book starts and before each story - so if you need to skip a story, you can! This was super useful for me and will be for other readers too.
A great read full of character and wonder.
I am not a fan of anthologies, there's always stories that you love, like and dislike in them so it's hard to review/rate them. That being said, I really wanted to pick this one up. A Sci-fi queer anthology with a cast of great authors and a focus on non-binary characters? Hell yeah.
Of course, there's was some stories I loved more than others but there wasn't one I hated! Which is so rare for anthologies. I LOVED that they are all sci-fi - it was great bouncing around from universe to universe and getting acquainted with all of the different characters with different personality traits, pronouns, sexualities etc.
The book was completely consistent and even though it focuses on the same genre, it didn't feelrepetitive either. The stories have all stuck with me, I really enjoyed Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo and Twice-Spent Comet by Ziggy Schutz but as I said, there wasn't a story I didn't enjoy.
Even though the stories don't connect, they flowed really well together from one to the other. The non-binary characters were written flawlessly into the stories - I would really love to see more books do this. I would also say, there are TW/CW before the book starts and before each story - so if you need to skip a story, you can! This was super useful for me and will be for other readers too.
A great read full of character and wonder.
jjcrafts's review
5.0
An amazing anthology of SFF short stories with trans and nonbinary protagonists. the quality here is amazing, I loved every single one of the stories and some of them left me really hoping they’ll be turned into novels so I can read more!
Twice Spent Comet by Ziggy Schutz *****
Found family of prison convicts on an asteroid and space mermaids. Wonderful. Loved all the characters and their relationships. Loved the tech and world building. Loved the writing.
From Dusk to Dying Sun by Paige S Allen *****
Two POC Highway patrol officers, pretending not to love each other on the long night drives. But then drivers racing the sun, the sun explodes and magic and shit. Where is the ending? A brilliant short story but PLEASE I want more!
Lost/Found by Brooklyn Ray ****
This author always has the most gorgeous writing I’ve ever read. A cam star who meets and falls for someone made of starlight. Less plot than the others but great story,
Awry with Dandelions by J S Fields ****
A dandelion seller who shares dreams with another person crashes a coronation with a plan to stop them. Loved the silvertongued MC and the friendship (though I would have loved MORE of it!), and the worldbuilding though it was confusing at first.
The Far Touch by S R Jones ****
A witch astronaut meeting up with his coven for a ley line ritual. Soft and quiet, loved the mix of space exploration and earth magic and the feeling of love in the funny but serious moments.
Ink and Stars by Alex Harrow *****
Space tattoo magic, living-ish spaceships, turn cloak military officers on the run. Another one I really hope gets turned into a full book because of where it ends. EDIT: the author is writing a novel on it. I’M SO EXCITED!
Horologium by Emmett Nahil ****
A Christmas Carol retelling but on a one person mining space ship in the far reaches of space. Left a little too much unexplained about what was really going on for me to really love it.
Death Marked by Sara Codair *****
A guard at the ball of their younger sister who is about to inherit the sector, attempting to make up and stop her from getting killed at the same time. Great mix of fantasy and tech. Loved the relationships and worldbuilding.
Weave the Dar, Weave the Light by Anna Xabo ****
A fire witch meets a being of starlight and their sexual relationship that grows into other things helps them understand who they are and what they want.
Twice Spent Comet by Ziggy Schutz *****
Found family of prison convicts on an asteroid and space mermaids. Wonderful. Loved all the characters and their relationships. Loved the tech and world building. Loved the writing.
From Dusk to Dying Sun by Paige S Allen *****
Two POC Highway patrol officers, pretending not to love each other on the long night drives. But then drivers racing the sun, the sun explodes and magic and shit. Where is the ending? A brilliant short story but PLEASE I want more!
Lost/Found by Brooklyn Ray ****
This author always has the most gorgeous writing I’ve ever read. A cam star who meets and falls for someone made of starlight. Less plot than the others but great story,
Awry with Dandelions by J S Fields ****
A dandelion seller who shares dreams with another person crashes a coronation with a plan to stop them. Loved the silvertongued MC and the friendship (though I would have loved MORE of it!), and the worldbuilding though it was confusing at first.
The Far Touch by S R Jones ****
A witch astronaut meeting up with his coven for a ley line ritual. Soft and quiet, loved the mix of space exploration and earth magic and the feeling of love in the funny but serious moments.
Ink and Stars by Alex Harrow *****
Space tattoo magic, living-ish spaceships, turn cloak military officers on the run. Another one I really hope gets turned into a full book because of where it ends. EDIT: the author is writing a novel on it. I’M SO EXCITED!
Horologium by Emmett Nahil ****
A Christmas Carol retelling but on a one person mining space ship in the far reaches of space. Left a little too much unexplained about what was really going on for me to really love it.
Death Marked by Sara Codair *****
A guard at the ball of their younger sister who is about to inherit the sector, attempting to make up and stop her from getting killed at the same time. Great mix of fantasy and tech. Loved the relationships and worldbuilding.
Weave the Dar, Weave the Light by Anna Xabo ****
A fire witch meets a being of starlight and their sexual relationship that grows into other things helps them understand who they are and what they want.