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kp_writ's review against another edition
A bit too challenging for me to get into right now, and after skimming the book I think this writing style just isn't for me.
caterina_1212's review against another edition
4.0
Very creative and very different stories, e can build a world in 4 pages.
greeniezona's review against another edition
5.0
I had been following Bogi online for months, appreciating eir commentary on trans/nb/intersex issues and representation in science fiction and fantasy. So when I saw e had a book coming out with this FANTASTIC title and cover, of course I had to jump on eir Patreon to sign up for a personally autographed copy.
I didn't know at the time that I would get the chance to see Bogi in person at ConFusion shortly after finishing this book, and get to hear eir read from one of my favorite stories in the book!
Anyway, I know I have a tendency to be super critical of short story collections, but something about this collection just worked for me, even when a few individual stories left me feeling nonplussed or unmoved (sometimes it felt like my unfamiliarity with Judaism/Hebrew was a significant barrier -- but only for a few stories). I enjoyed the themes of body modification and integration/community issues with "alien" species, as well as relationships with power differentials, some of which had BDSM elements (nothing really explicitly sexual or erotic, though). Many of these stories had real staying power in my head, and I can bring many scenes easily to mind months later.
Some favorite stories: "Forest spirit Forestspirit" in which a conscious cluster of automata decides to protect a bit of forest from a networked intelligence which has decided to destroy it, and "Standing on the Floodbanks" a longer piece (the one I heard Bogi read from) about magic, control, and respect.
I didn't know at the time that I would get the chance to see Bogi in person at ConFusion shortly after finishing this book, and get to hear eir read from one of my favorite stories in the book!
Anyway, I know I have a tendency to be super critical of short story collections, but something about this collection just worked for me, even when a few individual stories left me feeling nonplussed or unmoved (sometimes it felt like my unfamiliarity with Judaism/Hebrew was a significant barrier -- but only for a few stories). I enjoyed the themes of body modification and integration/community issues with "alien" species, as well as relationships with power differentials, some of which had BDSM elements (nothing really explicitly sexual or erotic, though). Many of these stories had real staying power in my head, and I can bring many scenes easily to mind months later.
Some favorite stories: "Forest spirit Forestspirit" in which a conscious cluster of automata decides to protect a bit of forest from a networked intelligence which has decided to destroy it, and "Standing on the Floodbanks" a longer piece (the one I heard Bogi read from) about magic, control, and respect.
detailsandtales's review against another edition
4.0
The stories in this book look at some fascinating concepts, a lot of which have to do with changing bodies and neurodiversity. Not all of the stories were my cup of tea, but I appreciated the concepts. I was particularly happy to see a few Jewish stories in this collection.
gracew's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
serena_dawn's review against another edition
5.0
I got this ARC ebook from the author when Bogi offered a ARC in exchange for reviews. I know of Bogi from lists of queer books which I have had liked/retweeted into my Twitter feed by those I follow there, and when I saw the title and the cover art, I just had the feeling I *had* to read this book. So I applied to the form, I did not really expect to get a ARC - but I did! I'm excited to share my thoughts on the short stories within.
I noticed (and thought it odd) that the trigger warnings were after the index, I believe they would be more helpful/effective below each short story rather than all grouped together.
This Will Serve As A Demarcation - Enhyoron takes and remakes and guides someone who once destroyed, with magic and technology, to build a barrier between sea and land.
Some Remarks on the Reproductive Strategy of the Common Octopus- "Seaweed", a human left behind in a pod, is found by alien octopus who developed sentience because of - or despite - mankind of the Old Empire.
A Superordinate Set of Principles - Ishtirh-Dunan, Anihemer and Mezvamar encounter humans and grow despite it, helping Interstellar Alliance find a threat.
Forestspirit, Forestspirit - "Gabi" was once a soldier in a long ago war but now dwelling in a forest as a shape shifting "spirit" which a young man calls upon to save his uncle's forest home from the Consentience.
Given Sufficient Desperation- Vera finds herself supposedly labeling objects for aliens, aliens that supposedly bombed Earth, but want to use the data to rebuild but her desperation leads to unexpected truths.
Changing Body Templates - A breakthrough in technology and biology leads a confrontation with sadly predictable bureaucratic ending.
For Your Optimal Hookboarding Experience - Bees and something like snowboarding (only with hooks attached to lines) with magic.
Increasing Police Visibility- Kari and Jano work - Jano at a airport and Kari to prove to government bureaucrats that detecting ETs isn't working, has never worked and may never work with the gates.
Good People In A Small Space - A forced stop at a station due to solar flare and a meeting between strangers and a exchange makes them good people in a small space.
Recordings of a More Personal Nature -Idriwu, a Achievist of the Temple and Athlaniyo her Maiden seek to save from the Achieve, Idriwu's self and memories and with her help, to record with writing what their people are being cut off from by the stars. (This one reminded me of old works by Andre Norton, wished there was more as it seemed almost connected to the cataclysm and Atlantis/fled ruined cities theories, although with the origin of writing implied)
This Secular Technology - Leah uses secular technology to fight the sheidim on a gevurah day.
Three Partitions- Chani and Adira seek to help her community that without Adira among them the planetmind will devour them. To save themselves they must change.
Unifications - Sara tries to make whole what was broken in a passageway's history.
The Size of a Barleycorn, Encased in Lead- What is the shamir, builder of the Temple? How similar it may be to the origins of fission/fusion weapons.
To Rebalance the Body- Biruyan's magic and bond with Master Viiren of Hairen Hills gives Benurh a unique view when Biruyan falls ill. (I loved this one and hope there's more, a novel or short stories some day.)
Shovelware- More modern day, the collaboration between Tamas, a artist, and Liliane, a lucid dreaming game maker, beginning to collaborate for a horror/dark game to deal with a reality.
The Oracle of DARPA- A weapon made by a oracle, makes men cold to it's use, is revenge or a answer to war.
Toward the Luminous Towers- Magic makes a biotech controller of weapons, and may damn or save someone who just wanted to be a librarian in another life.
Wind-Lashed Vehicles of Bone - Araana dreams of what could bes of fast vehicles and Ujabir makes it so with magic and rides with him.
The Need for Overwhelming Sensation - Miran Anyuwe a hunted politician, seeks a ride in Master Sanre's ship and neither Iryu nor Sanre is pleased when Miran Anyuwe interferes in their relationship and the ship. (Liked this one, it also seemed to be Alliance, maybe related to Changing Body Templates or A Superordinate Set of Principles?)
Spirit Forms of the Sea- Delin knows too well the secret of Reka's spirit guide and just what a taltos is to it. (I enjoyed this one and wished there were more short stories)
All Talk of Common Sense -Bihan is a fool in the court of King Abrany and Court Mage Marekas, but even a fool can tell Marekas has no magic.
Standing on the Floodbanks - Aniye a survivor and weapon of the Crimson Army, is turned apprentice to High Mage Oresuy, her master, who is not mastered by King Abrany's court or the Mages' Guild even when waters run over. (Would like to see Aniye and Bihan and Marekas interact)
I noticed (and thought it odd) that the trigger warnings were after the index, I believe they would be more helpful/effective below each short story rather than all grouped together.
This Will Serve As A Demarcation - Enhyoron takes and remakes and guides someone who once destroyed, with magic and technology, to build a barrier between sea and land.
Some Remarks on the Reproductive Strategy of the Common Octopus- "Seaweed", a human left behind in a pod, is found by alien octopus who developed sentience because of - or despite - mankind of the Old Empire.
A Superordinate Set of Principles - Ishtirh-Dunan, Anihemer and Mezvamar encounter humans and grow despite it, helping Interstellar Alliance find a threat.
Forestspirit, Forestspirit - "Gabi" was once a soldier in a long ago war but now dwelling in a forest as a shape shifting "spirit" which a young man calls upon to save his uncle's forest home from the Consentience.
Given Sufficient Desperation- Vera finds herself supposedly labeling objects for aliens, aliens that supposedly bombed Earth, but want to use the data to rebuild but her desperation leads to unexpected truths.
Changing Body Templates - A breakthrough in technology and biology leads a confrontation with sadly predictable bureaucratic ending.
For Your Optimal Hookboarding Experience - Bees and something like snowboarding (only with hooks attached to lines) with magic.
Increasing Police Visibility- Kari and Jano work - Jano at a airport and Kari to prove to government bureaucrats that detecting ETs isn't working, has never worked and may never work with the gates.
Good People In A Small Space - A forced stop at a station due to solar flare and a meeting between strangers and a exchange makes them good people in a small space.
Recordings of a More Personal Nature -Idriwu, a Achievist of the Temple and Athlaniyo her Maiden seek to save from the Achieve, Idriwu's self and memories and with her help, to record with writing what their people are being cut off from by the stars. (This one reminded me of old works by Andre Norton, wished there was more as it seemed almost connected to the cataclysm and Atlantis/fled ruined cities theories, although with the origin of writing implied)
This Secular Technology - Leah uses secular technology to fight the sheidim on a gevurah day.
Three Partitions- Chani and Adira seek to help her community that without Adira among them the planetmind will devour them. To save themselves they must change.
Unifications - Sara tries to make whole what was broken in a passageway's history.
The Size of a Barleycorn, Encased in Lead- What is the shamir, builder of the Temple? How similar it may be to the origins of fission/fusion weapons.
To Rebalance the Body- Biruyan's magic and bond with Master Viiren of Hairen Hills gives Benurh a unique view when Biruyan falls ill. (I loved this one and hope there's more, a novel or short stories some day.)
Shovelware- More modern day, the collaboration between Tamas, a artist, and Liliane, a lucid dreaming game maker, beginning to collaborate for a horror/dark game to deal with a reality.
The Oracle of DARPA- A weapon made by a oracle, makes men cold to it's use, is revenge or a answer to war.
Toward the Luminous Towers- Magic makes a biotech controller of weapons, and may damn or save someone who just wanted to be a librarian in another life.
Wind-Lashed Vehicles of Bone - Araana dreams of what could bes of fast vehicles and Ujabir makes it so with magic and rides with him.
The Need for Overwhelming Sensation - Miran Anyuwe a hunted politician, seeks a ride in Master Sanre's ship and neither Iryu nor Sanre is pleased when Miran Anyuwe interferes in their relationship and the ship. (Liked this one, it also seemed to be Alliance, maybe related to Changing Body Templates or A Superordinate Set of Principles?)
Spirit Forms of the Sea- Delin knows too well the secret of Reka's spirit guide and just what a taltos is to it. (I enjoyed this one and wished there were more short stories)
All Talk of Common Sense -Bihan is a fool in the court of King Abrany and Court Mage Marekas, but even a fool can tell Marekas has no magic.
Standing on the Floodbanks - Aniye a survivor and weapon of the Crimson Army, is turned apprentice to High Mage Oresuy, her master, who is not mastered by King Abrany's court or the Mages' Guild even when waters run over. (Would like to see Aniye and Bihan and Marekas interact)
valgus's review against another edition
5.0
this took a while for me to read, but it had more to do with the state of the world than anything. this book was great! :)
peeled_grape's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, I am not the audience for this one. I couldn't quite get my grounding on any of these stories, and I wasn't connecting with it. It was and is still wildly comforting to read stories about non-binary people by non-binary people, though, and that was magic.
mariahaskins's review against another edition
5.0
A marvelous, fiercely original, and compelling collection of short stories that traverse space and time and worlds, where bodies and individuals shapeshift and mingle, and where the boundaries between lifeforms and the world around them might be re-drawn and re-imagined. Bogi Takács has a gift for writing stories that bend and twist speculative fiction in new an unexpected ways, with stories that delve deep into issues of language and identity, exploring the way alien life, technology, artificial intelligence, and human life might come into conflict, but also co-exist in new forms of harmony.
With prose that can be both gentle and piercing, this collection is a must-read for anyone with a love for speculative fiction in general, and for science fiction in particular.
With prose that can be both gentle and piercing, this collection is a must-read for anyone with a love for speculative fiction in general, and for science fiction in particular.
yarnycharlie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0