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amandadevoursbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In Convergence Problems, will need to lobby examines a future where climate catastrophe has happened. Almost every story holds a thread of grief, loss, transition, and Hope.
I enjoyed that the author played with narrative style and a couple of the stories: One is a chat post with replies one is a patent application and one breaks up a traditional Nigerian folktale with a corollary in the future present.
I also appreciated the author notes at the end of the book for each of the short stories. I found them fascinating, because they gave a glimpse into the author's writing process.
I'm definitely going to be picking up a copy for myself because I will be revisiting some of these stories.
People who like afrofuturism, Black speculative fiction are probably going to like this book.
Thank you Net Galley and Daw books for my advanced reader copy.
I enjoyed that the author played with narrative style and a couple of the stories: One is a chat post with replies one is a patent application and one breaks up a traditional Nigerian folktale with a corollary in the future present.
I also appreciated the author notes at the end of the book for each of the short stories. I found them fascinating, because they gave a glimpse into the author's writing process.
I'm definitely going to be picking up a copy for myself because I will be revisiting some of these stories.
People who like afrofuturism, Black speculative fiction are probably going to like this book.
Thank you Net Galley and Daw books for my advanced reader copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Colonisation, and Murder
Moderate: Trafficking
sarrie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
TL;DR: A strong and varied collection of African centered SF stories exploring technology and it’s connections in our lives.
Convergence Problems is solid. I have to open with that. While it wasn’t mind blowing for me, I enjoyed most of these stories for how our author captured and explored these ‘convergence problems’ in short format. Each takes a different way of looking at how technology does or might intersect with our lives.
My favorite pieces in this were the shorter ones, the longer pieces struggled to hold my interest but the shorter, more dynamic pieces were great. This features at least one novella, which I found fascinating but a little dull to my tastes, as well. My favorite by far was Saturday’s Song. The dynamic way it was told, via song and different voice, made it fun and unique.
If you enjoy Science Fiction shorts this is a collection that’s worth the pick up. The ideas are interesting, and the execution solid.
3 out of 5 mercenary gods
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Colonisation, Racism, and Death
Minor: War and Gore
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