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shanaqui's review
- 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? No
3.0
A Glimmer of Silver is a novella looking at not first contact, but how contact with an alien lifeform might evolve. It reminds me of some other story that I can't quite bring to mind, which is driving me a bit nuts. Anyway, the idea is that the ocean of this planet is in fact sentient, and humans are -- for the most part -- carefully keeping themselves separate from it, thinking that this is what Ocean wants. No fishing, no drinking the water (without careful distillation), etc.
Jennery is a Communicator, but a reluctant one, having wanted to become a musician instead. Still, it seems that what Ocean wants is not at all what the status quo has established, and the humans on Ocean (other than the Communicators) are equally restless.
The solution is a neat one, and worth pondering. Overall, it's a fairly slight story, but worth it, I think.
Jennery is a Communicator, but a reluctant one, having wanted to become a musician instead. Still, it seems that what Ocean wants is not at all what the status quo has established, and the humans on Ocean (other than the Communicators) are equally restless.
The solution is a neat one, and worth pondering. Overall, it's a fairly slight story, but worth it, I think.
tyrshand's review
4.0
Everything you want in a fascinating human meets alien style story. Even though it’s not first contact insofar as humanity meeting, it is the first meeting of minds for our protagonist, who brings a unique perspective to it all... and perhaps saves this planet’s humanity.
thefox22's review against another edition
2.0
I just feel very meh about this. I thought it was unique, and I liked the questions it brought up, and how it said that it's okay to sometimes change your ways and beliefs. That you can't just always accept things as they are, especially if it's not working. And Jennery had to truly listen to Ocean so that the people of Endeavor (and elsewhere) could be saved. So it was interesting, and timely considering the very real danger of irreversible climate change today. But, I don't know, something about it just didn't click with me, and I read it mostly because it was so short.
arifel's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this! It's an interesting YA sci fi novella which manages to pack a ton of plot into its length without ever feeling rushed. The issues around colonialism and adaptation are well explored, with definite parallels between main character Jennery's desire to push xyr responsibilities to one side and refuse to adapt to a career xe never chose, and humanity's similar decisions about coexisting on a planet encompassed by a sentient alien Ocean. The language is rather 21st century colloquial for a far-future space colony - apparently I'm a total grandma about overuse of the word "stuff" - but it's still very readable and Jennery has a strong, clear voice. Also, while I was already expecting it, it was super exciting to see the use of neopronouns throughout!
I also felt a little more time could have been taken over the ending, particularly as there's a fair bit of offscreen death and culturally specific taboo for the characters to process in order to come to the conclusions they do, but the conclusion itself is very satisfying. Overall this is a 9/10 or a 4.5 out of five for me - well worth picking up.
I also felt a little more time could have been taken over the ending, particularly as there's a fair bit of offscreen death and culturally specific taboo for the characters to process in order to come to the conclusions they do, but the conclusion itself is very satisfying. Overall this is a 9/10 or a 4.5 out of five for me - well worth picking up.
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