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grid's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the last story in this anthology so much that it eclipsed the others by a pretty wide margin. In it, Jade is pregnant and Moon struggles with his feelings about becoming a father and of course, another crazy escapade just outside their home tree.
The other stories were also good. Definitely recommended reading if you’ve read the rest of the series.
The other stories were also good. Definitely recommended reading if you’ve read the rest of the series.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Books of the Raksura is one of my favorite fantasy series. It's unusual and very interesting. It was nice to see a little glimpse of Raksura trading customs in this short story.
If you haven't read the series I think that story would not be interesting to you, you need to know the background behind the world and characters.
Story is not very long and can be read for free here.
If you haven't read the series I think that story would not be interesting to you, you need to know the background behind the world and characters.
Story is not very long and can be read for free here.
felofhe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Infertility, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Violence, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Excrement, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
amberx19's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
pidgevorg's review against another edition
5.0
Wells's writing is very good, as always. But there are a couple things that make this particular story collection excellent. First, there is a subtle thematic connection between the two novellas (and not-so-subtle plot similarities), which makes the whole book feel almost like a novel with two parts, and not just a collection of stuff. The short stories also work in the larger context, even though they are all completely different, and one is not even about the Raksura. I can't really get into what the connection is, since it would be a spoiler, but it's definitely there. And yet all the stories are complete enough to stand on their own as well.
The other thing I really liked is that the main character, Moon, finally steps beyond the typical "Martha Wells guy". She has one in almost all of her books--the clever survivor warrior with trust issues. He's been separated from his home or culture because of some tragedy, and now has to make his own way in a hostile world. He's feared and marginalized everywhere he goes, but manages to remain sensible, tolerant, and easy-going. In spite of his hair trigger instincts and constant fear for his life, he is very calm and patient when he needs to be, which means he's excellent with little kids. Whether due to biology, culture, or personal preference, he likes powerful, independent women who tend to boss him around (but in a respectful way). He's generally low key and has a healthy amount of common sense, but tends to be pessimistic and insecure because of how people have been treating him. Did I mention he has trust issues? So, yeah, that guy. I don't know, I suppose since Wells came up with him, she gets to use him over and over a character. But after the first couple of times, I started to find it somewhat annoying. Well, in these two novellas Moon manages to not be that guy, if only temporarily.
In "The Dead City" it's subtle. Maybe it's the way he vents his despair and disappointment by recklessly attacking some bad guys and then arranging their limbs in a pattern. "I probably shouldn't have done that," Moon thinks after the villagers find his little art project and start fearfully discussing what kind of predator could be out there. And then he makes sure they change the subject before they deduce too much. This little moment is enough to show that the trust issues are not one-sided. It's not just our tragic hero who has reasons to be mistrustful. Sure he's acting all cuddly now, but what happens if he gets hungry? The people who drive him off are not necessarily prejudiced, they might just be wary pragmatic survivalists. Just like Moon.
In "The Dark Earth Below" Moon finally seems to be over his issues. Maybe it's because his current major source of anxiety is so common and relatable. He's about to become a father for the first time, and has all the typical fear and uncertainty any normal person would feel. Maybe he'll go back to being the "Martha Wells guy", but for now he's just an average guy. Which would not be interesting in and of itself, but is really refreshing in this particular case. And of course, there is still an adventure story, so he still gets to be a badass.
The other thing I really liked is that the main character, Moon, finally steps beyond the typical "Martha Wells guy". She has one in almost all of her books--the clever survivor warrior with trust issues. He's been separated from his home or culture because of some tragedy, and now has to make his own way in a hostile world. He's feared and marginalized everywhere he goes, but manages to remain sensible, tolerant, and easy-going. In spite of his hair trigger instincts and constant fear for his life, he is very calm and patient when he needs to be, which means he's excellent with little kids. Whether due to biology, culture, or personal preference, he likes powerful, independent women who tend to boss him around (but in a respectful way). He's generally low key and has a healthy amount of common sense, but tends to be pessimistic and insecure because of how people have been treating him. Did I mention he has trust issues? So, yeah, that guy. I don't know, I suppose since Wells came up with him, she gets to use him over and over a character. But after the first couple of times, I started to find it somewhat annoying. Well, in these two novellas Moon manages to not be that guy, if only temporarily.
In "The Dead City" it's subtle. Maybe it's the way he vents his despair and disappointment by recklessly attacking some bad guys and then arranging their limbs in a pattern. "I probably shouldn't have done that," Moon thinks after the villagers find his little art project and start fearfully discussing what kind of predator could be out there. And then he makes sure they change the subject before they deduce too much. This little moment is enough to show that the trust issues are not one-sided. It's not just our tragic hero who has reasons to be mistrustful. Sure he's acting all cuddly now, but what happens if he gets hungry? The people who drive him off are not necessarily prejudiced, they might just be wary pragmatic survivalists. Just like Moon.
In "The Dark Earth Below" Moon finally seems to be over his issues. Maybe it's because his current major source of anxiety is so common and relatable. He's about to become a father for the first time, and has all the typical fear and uncertainty any normal person would feel. Maybe he'll go back to being the "Martha Wells guy", but for now he's just an average guy. Which would not be interesting in and of itself, but is really refreshing in this particular case. And of course, there is still an adventure story, so he still gets to be a badass.
kimroseozzy's review against another edition
5.0
Finally! Something I've been waiting for since I knew it could happen, has happened! Can't believe it was just a short story, but amazing. Can't wait to read the next, now with the inclusion of their first clutch
fatimawright's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
titusfortner's review against another edition
3.0
Another one of the small stories that I didn't find as compelling as the other stories in these collections. 2.5 stars.
Merged review:
The only short story in the collections that features characters not associated with our favorite Raksura. I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars,.
Merged review:
I hope we get more Raksura books eventually (though I'm more than happy to keep getting the Murderbot stories). This set of stories is not quite as good as the first one. Mostly that's because I didn't care for Mimesis or Trading Lessons. The Dead City and the Dark Earth Below were both standouts. I left reviews for each on their respective Goodreads pages.
Merged review:
The only short story in the collections that features characters not associated with our favorite Raksura. I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars,.
Merged review:
I hope we get more Raksura books eventually (though I'm more than happy to keep getting the Murderbot stories). This set of stories is not quite as good as the first one. Mostly that's because I didn't care for Mimesis or Trading Lessons. The Dead City and the Dark Earth Below were both standouts. I left reviews for each on their respective Goodreads pages.
artomizer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Absolutely wonderful; I liked this even better than the prior installment of Stories of the Raksura. I love how these little collections include both stories that are absolutely integral to the trajectory of the broader series -- here the novella The Dark Earth Below is absolutely not to be missed -- and 'extras' -- here including one prequel story, one story with an entirely different cast of characters set in the same universe, and a funny story about the Raksura approach to trading goods. The short stories are really good, but the novellas are fantastic. Love this series, wholeheartedly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, and Death