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A review by frasersimons
Before, After, Alone: A Planetfall Universe short story collection by Emma Newman
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Like most short story collections I’ve read, my interest varied from story to story—and though all are set in the same world and have a broad overarching theme to them, didn’t really build out or drill down into what interested me about the main series. Probably because the strength, for me, was in the character work, rather than the technological aspects, and I just don’t get enough time with a character in short stories to get much emotional payoff, typically.
It’s very nice that there’s a disclaimer before some stories for spoilers as well, citing how it would spoil the reader. I read this last because of it. The most impactful story for me, unsurprisingly, was one that continued the After Mars storyline, because I knew the character and wondered what became of them. Worth reading just for that, really.
It’s very nice that there’s a disclaimer before some stories for spoilers as well, citing how it would spoil the reader. I read this last because of it. The most impactful story for me, unsurprisingly, was one that continued the After Mars storyline, because I knew the character and wondered what became of them. Worth reading just for that, really.