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templetoncecelia's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ameserole's review
4.0
I have zero regrets about buying Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space. There's just something about anthologies that makes me so happy. Maybe it's diving into new authors or opening my eyes to a different kind of genre. Either way, I really enjoyed a lot of the stories within this one.
Out of the 17, I probably had a handful that were my absolute favorite. Each part gave me a story or two that I just fell in love with. Especially when they had that added creepy factor to them. If I had to pick an overall favorite out of the ones I really like, well, I would probably pick Sumaiko & La Sirena and Tame the Wicked Night. Mostly because those were in my favorite part of the book.
Although This is Our Manifesto and Color-Coded would be next. As for the rest, well they were likable and easy to listen to. I don't think I found a story that I really disliked. I did, however, think some ended too short or quickly and wished were a bit longer. Then again, it could just be me thinking that way.
In the end, I'm just really happy that I dove into this anthology. I can't wait for the next one to come my way.
Out of the 17, I probably had a handful that were my absolute favorite. Each part gave me a story or two that I just fell in love with. Especially when they had that added creepy factor to them. If I had to pick an overall favorite out of the ones I really like, well, I would probably pick Sumaiko & La Sirena and Tame the Wicked Night. Mostly because those were in my favorite part of the book.
Although This is Our Manifesto and Color-Coded would be next. As for the rest, well they were likable and easy to listen to. I don't think I found a story that I really disliked. I did, however, think some ended too short or quickly and wished were a bit longer. Then again, it could just be me thinking that way.
In the end, I'm just really happy that I dove into this anthology. I can't wait for the next one to come my way.
delicatezeal's review against another edition
This isn't a good fit for me right now.
amess's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mikaclapson's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
godhateskeely's review
5.0
Reclaim the Stars is an anthology of seventeen science fiction and fantasy stories written by a range of Latin American YA authors. The collection is filled cover-to-cover with some of the most wonderful and heart-wrenching stories I've ever come across and I'm a little speechless. However, not speechless enough apparently because I'm going to write little summaries of each story here so that I can prevent my godawful memory from forgetting any of these.
Reign of Diamonds by Anna-Marie McLemore (5/5) *
- Childhood friends to lesbian lovers to enemies fighting to the death in space on behalf of their rival families. If that doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. This was angst-ridden from start to finish but in the best way possible. They were so vicious to one another but also so tender at the same time it was perfect.
Flecha by Daniel José Older (5/5) *
- A story that imagines what will happen to the world once climate change has become unstoppable and the seas have risen too much and flooded the entire planet. Daniel José Older channelled the anger of an entire generation and made me feel so anxious in the process like this story gave me a fear-fuelled stomach ache and migraine combo. He touched on issues of overconsumption, posing greedy corporations as villains rather than individual agents which I really appreciated. It was also surprisingly funny (mostly because of Grengraf) which was a relief because otherwise I think this might have sent me into a proper full-blown existential crisis.
The First Day of Us by David Bowles (3/5)
- This was by no means BAD, it just didn't gel with me personally. I really loved the poly relationship and I thought it was lovely that the author included that sort of representation because I never really see stories featuring that sort of dynamic and it's so important. However, the sci-fi elements were quite confusing. Bowles used so much jargon and included so much lore that would have made sense if he had a chance to properly explain either but, because it was a short story, these things were thrown in there without any explanation which made it difficult for me to connect with. But also maybe I'm just too stupid for science fiction and it's a me problem.
The Tin Man by Lilliam Rivera (5/5)
- This was such a heartbreaking dystopian story about a young girl who seems to be the only surviving person in the Bronx. Rivera's writing made me feel so many emotions and I wanted the story to never end. Where's the rest of the story. What happens to the Build-a-Bear with her families voice recordings. I need to know more than I need to breathe.
This is Our Manifesto by Mark Oshiro (5/5) *
- I had chills while reading this story. This was such an incredible commentary on the prison system and how racist, dehumanising, and isolating these institutions are. It was so interesting to see how sci-fi themes were used to explore this issue and I loved the revolutionary spirit that the characters exuded. Also there were lesbians so if I wasn't sold by the main message, I was definitely sold by them.
Creatures of Kings by Circe Moskowitz (4/5)
- This was a little confusing for me and I don't think I ever really understood what was going on but I found it so wonderful. The mother-daughter relationship was pure agony and I felt an ache reading about their strained relationship.
Eterno by J. C. Cervantes (5/5) *
- Eterno broke my heart and I think I nearly cried but in a very cool and fashionable way. It reminded me so much of the ending in Ballad of Never After and truly, memory loss always hits me where I'm the weakest. The love was so sweet but also so odd but also I'm going to look past that for the time being. Maybe I will reflect in the future but probably not. There was so much pain in this short story that I was not expecting. Him forgetting her and her forgetting him and him leaving her to protect her from the pain his brother wishes to bestow upon her??? I don't want to compare this to Creatures of Kings because they're so different but it's hard not to since they were placed right beside one another. I think the reason this one worked for me more was because there was a 70/30 split with the relationships being explored more than the lore whereas in Creatures of Kings, the lore was explored more than the relationships.
White Water, Blue Ocean by Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez (5/5) *
- Exquisite. Beautiful. Compelling. Tear-jerking. This was about a young trans boy and the family that didn't accept him. The entire story revolves around the idea of lies, with the entire bloodline being cursed in a way that prohibits them from being able to lie without expelling a foul odour and suffering a shortened lifespan. Though the story opens with a slew of relatives rejecting Gabriel's identity, most of the story takes place by the ocean as the boy has a conversation with the sea goddess (who is heavily implied to be a lesbian in love with the soul of one woman, Ana, who keeps returning to her ocean in every life she leads) who has been tied to his family for generations. Initially being the one to "curse" the family, the ocean goddess and Gabriel have a long conversation about truth, coming to the conclusion that truth is not oppressive, but rather a gift for those who do not wish to deceive those around them. This was heartbreaking and emotional and the final conversation between Gabriela and his abuela nearly made me cry. I love this story so so much.
Leyenda by Romina Garber (5/5)
- As someone who has always wanted to read the Lobizona duology, I was so excited for this short story. Though I found it to be predictable and frustrating (because every second sentence involved someone being deeply misogynistic), the story was atmospheric. The castle setting felt cosy and magical and I adored not only Zaybet's character, but her take on feminism as well. This makes me want to read the Lobizona books so badly this Halloween.
Color-Coded by Maya Motayne (3.5/5)
- I think I would have loved and appreciated this so much if I had read it as a tween going through puberty, but the concept was still sweet and there was nothing to complain about. I have a lot of questions about why the mother left/returned and I wish that had been explained a little more but overall this wasn't bad!
Magical Offerings by Nina Moreno (5/5) *
- If I were asked to describe girlhood, I'd show someone this story. It felt gritty and raw and wild and a little feral and I loved it so much for all those reasons. This story might be one of my favourites because it really captured the fairytale-esque whimsy of being a young girl wandering around in the wilderness. I adored so many aspects of this story, from the huntsman waiting - frozen in time - for her return to her abuelo letting her go because he knows what it's like to be a dreamer. Moreno's writing was beautiful, atmospheric, sad, and made my heart beat. I truly just want to exist in this little world they've created.
Rogue Enchantments by Isabel Ibañez (5/5)
- Ibañez managed to create a story that felt magical and eerie all at once. This story was the perfect balance of warmth and iciness, with the whimsical markets contrasting with the mysterious duendes haunting the stalls at night. I loved the idea of Graciela's abuelita being a watchful figure and helping her ensnare the once-charming villain. And I loved the ending with Diego too. Overall, it was such a fun place to exist in for a short while and I barely even noticed how long the story was because it flew by so quickly.
Sumaiko y La Sirena by Vita Ayala (5/5) **
- I think this might be one of my favourite stories that I've ever read. The prose was unbelievable and the story was the perfect romantic tragedy. Ayala tells the story of a young sirena torn away from the ocean as a child to live on the land with a man who has lost his own family. Though raised as a happy child, Suma feels as if something is missing. Following the passing of her father, Suma returns to the ocean, only to discover that she is unable to ever return home. Hoping to be gifted the ability to live as a sirena, Suma sits on the shore each night and sings to an ocean that repays her with presents. After some time, la sirena emerges from the ocean to greet Suma, confessing that it has been her that has been returning each night to listen to her songs. They spend each night together, falling in love and singing, until this vengeful guy steals la sirena from the ocean to spite Suma, who refused to marry him. Eventually, Suma and la sirena escape to the ocean together, committing to living half-lives in the sea so that they may stay together. This was beyond lovely and I want the story to be carved into my bones so that it can stay with me forever. That's dramatic but it's true...
River People by Yamile Saied Méndez (5/5) *
- This story was beautiful, haunting, and filled with so much love for home, family, and the beings unseen to most. From the goddess of the Moon to the river itself, Méndez filled these pages with the most magical stories and folktales imaginable, only to question whether these spirits really can be categorised as fictional. The story ended with a child in the diaspora dreaming of the stories and songs of the river, illustrating that the love and connection one has with home will never leave, even if home is now someplace else.
Moonglow by Sara Faring (3.5/5)
- Honestly, this one was a little confusing. I found the descriptions to be vivid and consuming but the plot was a little foggy for me. It felt a lot like the opening story in The Houseguest by Amparo Dávila which never really gelled with me either. But nonetheless, Faring has an incredibly compelling writing style and I fell in love with the strong personalities of her characters.
Killing El Chivo by Claribel A. Ortega (5/5) *
- This was, dare I say, Mariana Enriquez-esque. Though very different, Ortega's story is a commentary on dictatorship and the struggles that communities face when living through these oppressive regimes. The dictator is a manipulative goat Devil who forces people to hang photos of him in their houses, steals people away from their homes, tortures those who disagree with the system, and uses magic to force people to adore his presence and turn a blind eye when he commits atrocities in front of them. Ortega focuses on three rebel sisters - who also happen to be witches - as they plot the murder of El Chivo, the cruel dictator of their island. As the day nears, Zaria starts having all sorts of weird dreams and visions, all of which remind her of the witchbird. This witchbird is supposedly an omen of death, but for Zaria, it's much more than an omen. In a truly grotesque scene, Zaria's body cracks and contorts into this witchbird creature, allowing her to kill El Chivo before dying herself. I found the descriptions of her bird-form to be deeply unsettling and there was also an eerie moment in which her human skinsuit was placed into a bucket beside her bed. Ortega made it so easy to feel Zaria's pain and desire for vengeance, with these emotions only being heightened by the earlier descriptions of the sisters and their lovely relationship. Another story which makes me wish there was a full text for me to devour immediately.
Tame the Wicked Night by Zoraida Córdova (5/5)
- Starting off really funny, this story quickly became deeply depressing. It's a tale of a misunderstood sun goddess being cast into the darkness and the earth-loving boy she falls in love with. And their goat named Rigoberto. This was an epic love story about love growing in someplace which was deemed dead, desolate, and barren. In addition, the wildlife imagery was delightful and there was so much passion weaved into every description of the natural world.
Reign of Diamonds by Anna-Marie McLemore (5/5) *
- Childhood friends to lesbian lovers to enemies fighting to the death in space on behalf of their rival families. If that doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. This was angst-ridden from start to finish but in the best way possible. They were so vicious to one another but also so tender at the same time it was perfect.
Flecha by Daniel José Older (5/5) *
- A story that imagines what will happen to the world once climate change has become unstoppable and the seas have risen too much and flooded the entire planet. Daniel José Older channelled the anger of an entire generation and made me feel so anxious in the process like this story gave me a fear-fuelled stomach ache and migraine combo. He touched on issues of overconsumption, posing greedy corporations as villains rather than individual agents which I really appreciated. It was also surprisingly funny (mostly because of Grengraf) which was a relief because otherwise I think this might have sent me into a proper full-blown existential crisis.
The First Day of Us by David Bowles (3/5)
- This was by no means BAD, it just didn't gel with me personally. I really loved the poly relationship and I thought it was lovely that the author included that sort of representation because I never really see stories featuring that sort of dynamic and it's so important. However, the sci-fi elements were quite confusing. Bowles used so much jargon and included so much lore that would have made sense if he had a chance to properly explain either but, because it was a short story, these things were thrown in there without any explanation which made it difficult for me to connect with. But also maybe I'm just too stupid for science fiction and it's a me problem.
The Tin Man by Lilliam Rivera (5/5)
- This was such a heartbreaking dystopian story about a young girl who seems to be the only surviving person in the Bronx. Rivera's writing made me feel so many emotions and I wanted the story to never end. Where's the rest of the story. What happens to the Build-a-Bear with her families voice recordings. I need to know more than I need to breathe.
This is Our Manifesto by Mark Oshiro (5/5) *
- I had chills while reading this story. This was such an incredible commentary on the prison system and how racist, dehumanising, and isolating these institutions are. It was so interesting to see how sci-fi themes were used to explore this issue and I loved the revolutionary spirit that the characters exuded. Also there were lesbians so if I wasn't sold by the main message, I was definitely sold by them.
Creatures of Kings by Circe Moskowitz (4/5)
- This was a little confusing for me and I don't think I ever really understood what was going on but I found it so wonderful. The mother-daughter relationship was pure agony and I felt an ache reading about their strained relationship.
Eterno by J. C. Cervantes (5/5) *
- Eterno broke my heart and I think I nearly cried but in a very cool and fashionable way. It reminded me so much of the ending in Ballad of Never After and truly, memory loss always hits me where I'm the weakest. The love was so sweet but also so odd but also I'm going to look past that for the time being. Maybe I will reflect in the future but probably not. There was so much pain in this short story that I was not expecting. Him forgetting her and her forgetting him and him leaving her to protect her from the pain his brother wishes to bestow upon her??? I don't want to compare this to Creatures of Kings because they're so different but it's hard not to since they were placed right beside one another. I think the reason this one worked for me more was because there was a 70/30 split with the relationships being explored more than the lore whereas in Creatures of Kings, the lore was explored more than the relationships.
White Water, Blue Ocean by Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez (5/5) *
- Exquisite. Beautiful. Compelling. Tear-jerking. This was about a young trans boy and the family that didn't accept him. The entire story revolves around the idea of lies, with the entire bloodline being cursed in a way that prohibits them from being able to lie without expelling a foul odour and suffering a shortened lifespan. Though the story opens with a slew of relatives rejecting Gabriel's identity, most of the story takes place by the ocean as the boy has a conversation with the sea goddess (who is heavily implied to be a lesbian in love with the soul of one woman, Ana, who keeps returning to her ocean in every life she leads) who has been tied to his family for generations. Initially being the one to "curse" the family, the ocean goddess and Gabriel have a long conversation about truth, coming to the conclusion that truth is not oppressive, but rather a gift for those who do not wish to deceive those around them. This was heartbreaking and emotional and the final conversation between Gabriela and his abuela nearly made me cry. I love this story so so much.
Leyenda by Romina Garber (5/5)
- As someone who has always wanted to read the Lobizona duology, I was so excited for this short story. Though I found it to be predictable and frustrating (because every second sentence involved someone being deeply misogynistic), the story was atmospheric. The castle setting felt cosy and magical and I adored not only Zaybet's character, but her take on feminism as well. This makes me want to read the Lobizona books so badly this Halloween.
Color-Coded by Maya Motayne (3.5/5)
- I think I would have loved and appreciated this so much if I had read it as a tween going through puberty, but the concept was still sweet and there was nothing to complain about. I have a lot of questions about why the mother left/returned and I wish that had been explained a little more but overall this wasn't bad!
Magical Offerings by Nina Moreno (5/5) *
- If I were asked to describe girlhood, I'd show someone this story. It felt gritty and raw and wild and a little feral and I loved it so much for all those reasons. This story might be one of my favourites because it really captured the fairytale-esque whimsy of being a young girl wandering around in the wilderness. I adored so many aspects of this story, from the huntsman waiting - frozen in time - for her return to her abuelo letting her go because he knows what it's like to be a dreamer. Moreno's writing was beautiful, atmospheric, sad, and made my heart beat. I truly just want to exist in this little world they've created.
Rogue Enchantments by Isabel Ibañez (5/5)
- Ibañez managed to create a story that felt magical and eerie all at once. This story was the perfect balance of warmth and iciness, with the whimsical markets contrasting with the mysterious duendes haunting the stalls at night. I loved the idea of Graciela's abuelita being a watchful figure and helping her ensnare the once-charming villain. And I loved the ending with Diego too. Overall, it was such a fun place to exist in for a short while and I barely even noticed how long the story was because it flew by so quickly.
Sumaiko y La Sirena by Vita Ayala (5/5) **
- I think this might be one of my favourite stories that I've ever read. The prose was unbelievable and the story was the perfect romantic tragedy. Ayala tells the story of a young sirena torn away from the ocean as a child to live on the land with a man who has lost his own family. Though raised as a happy child, Suma feels as if something is missing. Following the passing of her father, Suma returns to the ocean, only to discover that she is unable to ever return home. Hoping to be gifted the ability to live as a sirena, Suma sits on the shore each night and sings to an ocean that repays her with presents. After some time, la sirena emerges from the ocean to greet Suma, confessing that it has been her that has been returning each night to listen to her songs. They spend each night together, falling in love and singing, until this vengeful guy steals la sirena from the ocean to spite Suma, who refused to marry him. Eventually, Suma and la sirena escape to the ocean together, committing to living half-lives in the sea so that they may stay together. This was beyond lovely and I want the story to be carved into my bones so that it can stay with me forever. That's dramatic but it's true...
River People by Yamile Saied Méndez (5/5) *
- This story was beautiful, haunting, and filled with so much love for home, family, and the beings unseen to most. From the goddess of the Moon to the river itself, Méndez filled these pages with the most magical stories and folktales imaginable, only to question whether these spirits really can be categorised as fictional. The story ended with a child in the diaspora dreaming of the stories and songs of the river, illustrating that the love and connection one has with home will never leave, even if home is now someplace else.
Moonglow by Sara Faring (3.5/5)
- Honestly, this one was a little confusing. I found the descriptions to be vivid and consuming but the plot was a little foggy for me. It felt a lot like the opening story in The Houseguest by Amparo Dávila which never really gelled with me either. But nonetheless, Faring has an incredibly compelling writing style and I fell in love with the strong personalities of her characters.
Killing El Chivo by Claribel A. Ortega (5/5) *
- This was, dare I say, Mariana Enriquez-esque. Though very different, Ortega's story is a commentary on dictatorship and the struggles that communities face when living through these oppressive regimes. The dictator is a manipulative goat Devil who forces people to hang photos of him in their houses, steals people away from their homes, tortures those who disagree with the system, and uses magic to force people to adore his presence and turn a blind eye when he commits atrocities in front of them. Ortega focuses on three rebel sisters - who also happen to be witches - as they plot the murder of El Chivo, the cruel dictator of their island. As the day nears, Zaria starts having all sorts of weird dreams and visions, all of which remind her of the witchbird. This witchbird is supposedly an omen of death, but for Zaria, it's much more than an omen. In a truly grotesque scene, Zaria's body cracks and contorts into this witchbird creature, allowing her to kill El Chivo before dying herself. I found the descriptions of her bird-form to be deeply unsettling and there was also an eerie moment in which her human skinsuit was placed into a bucket beside her bed. Ortega made it so easy to feel Zaria's pain and desire for vengeance, with these emotions only being heightened by the earlier descriptions of the sisters and their lovely relationship. Another story which makes me wish there was a full text for me to devour immediately.
Tame the Wicked Night by Zoraida Córdova (5/5)
- Starting off really funny, this story quickly became deeply depressing. It's a tale of a misunderstood sun goddess being cast into the darkness and the earth-loving boy she falls in love with. And their goat named Rigoberto. This was an epic love story about love growing in someplace which was deemed dead, desolate, and barren. In addition, the wildlife imagery was delightful and there was so much passion weaved into every description of the natural world.
im_basil's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
Not every story was a hit for me, but overall it was a really great collection! My favorite story is either Sumaiko y La Sirena or Tame The Wicked Night.
mrz_owenz's review
4.0
Queer Latines in fantasy and space! Collection of short stories that feature Latine characters (often queer) in fantasy and science fiction settings. The non-Euro mythology that was included many of the stories made them out of the ordinary and extra engaging.
smittenforfiction's review
2.0
Hey book lovers! I'm here with a book review for Reclaim The Stars: Seventeen Tales Across Realms & Space edited by Zoraida Córdova. I'm very lucky to have received an arc from Netgalley. This collection of short stories will be published on February 15, 2022