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A review by randalm
Nebula Awards Showcase 2015 by Greg Bear
3.0
It's hard to rate such a disparate collection. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised to find how LGBTQ-inclusive many of the stories were. Here's a quick rundown from strongest to weakest, in my humble opinion:
“Time considered as a helix of semi-precious stones” – I adore Samuel R. Delany’s vision. This piece left me longing (in a good way) for more about the Singers in his story.
“The waiting stars” – This was an intriguing novella, both innovative and relatable. I’m going to seek out more of Aliette de Bodard’s Xuya universe.
“The weight of the sunrise” – I thoroughly enjoyed Vylar Kaftan’s alternative history tale, which speculates what would have happened if the Incan civilization had survived small pox.
“Alive, alive oh” – A somber, beautifully told short story.
excerpt from “Sister Mine” – The writing was a bit overly conversational in tone for my taste, but I liked it enough to want to check out Nalo Hopkinson’s full novel.
“The Sounds of Old Earth” – Touching if a bit predictable. Good writing.
“They shall salt the earth with seeds of glass” – I was drawn into this story of alien occupation of Earth but found details of the backstory to be lacking.
“Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters” –Hysterical. Mean girls in outer space.
“The litigation master and the monkey king” Well written and kept me engaged. But I’m not sure how this is sci-fi or fantasy.
“Selected program notes from the retrospective exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer” – An innovative approach to storytelling, although it felt a touch thin.
“Selkie stories are for losers” – A moderately satisfying story of longing.
“Paranormal romance” – Cute urban fantasy story.
“In joy, knowing the abyss behind” – Overly sentimental.
excert from “Ancillary Justice” – This was too short to give me a sense of the larger tale.
“If you were a dinosaur, my love” – I’m not sure why this was the winner.
“Time considered as a helix of semi-precious stones” – I adore Samuel R. Delany’s vision. This piece left me longing (in a good way) for more about the Singers in his story.
“The waiting stars” – This was an intriguing novella, both innovative and relatable. I’m going to seek out more of Aliette de Bodard’s Xuya universe.
“The weight of the sunrise” – I thoroughly enjoyed Vylar Kaftan’s alternative history tale, which speculates what would have happened if the Incan civilization had survived small pox.
“Alive, alive oh” – A somber, beautifully told short story.
excerpt from “Sister Mine” – The writing was a bit overly conversational in tone for my taste, but I liked it enough to want to check out Nalo Hopkinson’s full novel.
“The Sounds of Old Earth” – Touching if a bit predictable. Good writing.
“They shall salt the earth with seeds of glass” – I was drawn into this story of alien occupation of Earth but found details of the backstory to be lacking.
“Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters” –Hysterical. Mean girls in outer space.
“The litigation master and the monkey king” Well written and kept me engaged. But I’m not sure how this is sci-fi or fantasy.
“Selected program notes from the retrospective exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer” – An innovative approach to storytelling, although it felt a touch thin.
“Selkie stories are for losers” – A moderately satisfying story of longing.
“Paranormal romance” – Cute urban fantasy story.
“In joy, knowing the abyss behind” – Overly sentimental.
excert from “Ancillary Justice” – This was too short to give me a sense of the larger tale.
“If you were a dinosaur, my love” – I’m not sure why this was the winner.