Scan barcode
A review by theaurochs
Trans-Galactic Bike Ride: Feminist Bicycle Science Fiction Stories of Transgender and Nonbinary Adventurers by Lydia Rogue
3.0
An interesting collection with a fun, super-niche theme. It's cool to see where different authors have taken this idea, and its great to read work from voices in different demographics and/or marginalised communities. That said, a lot of these short stories are not really that innovative or interesting. Mini-reviews of each short story are below.
Per Rotas Ad Astra by Ether Nepenthes
2/5
Really only does what is says on the tin- there are trans people, there is space travel, and there are bicycles. Nothing interesting to write home about.
Riding for Luck by Juliet Kemp
4/5
Really cool- captures that vibe of something slightly numinous; tapping in to powers greater than yourself and more unknowable. Manages to also give a great community feel without being overly saccharine- showing that safe spaces sometimes have to be carved out of harder worlds and that this can be a painful process, but that they are ultimately worth fighting for. Cool urban fantasy vibe.
The Edge of the Abyss by M. Darusha Wehm
3/5
A fine little short story. Highlights how easy it is to blinker ourselves ideologically; shutting ourselves off from other points of view, even ones which differ only slightly from our own, and even when on the face of it we’re open and welcoming. Even when we know people on the other sides of these arbitrary divides. In such a short space, I think it maybe shoots itself in the foot by having the protagonist also be so blinkered and closed-minded; this idea can absolutely work but I think it would need a little more space to do so well.
Unexpectedly Trans-Parent by Lydia Rogue
2/5
Another story that doesn’t do much beyond the title. Once again we have a bicycle, we have interplanetary travel, and we have trans people. In this one, a child is found and subsequently adopted. I got absolutely no sense of character or worldbuilding. Did Kai (the protagonist) want to be a parent? How did they feel about children? We don’t get access to any of this that might make the story interesting or give it an arc.
Rovers by Marcus Woodman
3/5
Not bad- the metaphor of werewolves might be a little on the nose but sure, it’s fun to see. I think the same idea could have been tackled with a lot more nuance though. This one at least gives us a bit of worldbuilding; not masses but enough to be interesting. Nicely developed themes of defining your own place in the world.
The Visitmothers by Charlie Jane Anders
3/5
A pretty classic “be careful what you wish for” type cautionary tale. The idea of being able to wish away your problems is obviously tempting, but possibly also demeans the struggles that people go through to overcome their problems- which is why the ending was good to see. A different solution that doesn’t solve the original problem but provides an option that wasn’t obvious or even considered by the protagonist. That said, taking the ending of the story literally is a little weird and unsatisfying (and borderline horrific); taking it metaphorically leaves it a little saccharine. Fine story.
A Sudden Displacement of Matter by Ava Kelly
3/5
Robin Hood-type story set in an interesting future society. This feels like a lived-in world, where equality and rights have been fought for hard, and those who live there are not complacent about this fact. The plot and individual character work could use some improvement, but I enjoyed the setting of this one a lot more.
Briar Patch by Lane Fox
4/5
Really like this one. Sweet and lovingly written, with somewhat more accomplished prose than others in the collection. Interesting hints of a wider world, but defining the community that actually affects the characters clearly and allows for the short and pleasant tale to be told. Good short story.
Clashing/Complementary by Rafi Kleiman
3/5
Not bad, a fun little light urban fantasy with magic graffiti and magic-inscribed flying bicycles. Some nice little commentary on the nature and purpose of art. Nothing special characterwise.
Lucy Doesn’t Get Angry by Tucker Lieberman
2/5
A little confused, but it feels like the heart is in the right place. A different twist on the Minotaur myth where the real minotaur was inside us all along. Ends with a nice little message about righteous anger, but ultimately is too disjointed and full of somewhat twisted metaphors to really connect.
Beyond by Nathan Alling Long
2/5
Too whimsical for my tastes. Repeat after me: correlation does not imply causation. Correlation does not imply causation. I can tell that it’s trying to have fun by presenting some very speculative and very silly ideas as fact, but this rubs me the wrong way entirely.
Per Rotas Ad Astra by Ether Nepenthes
2/5
Really only does what is says on the tin- there are trans people, there is space travel, and there are bicycles. Nothing interesting to write home about.
Riding for Luck by Juliet Kemp
4/5
Really cool- captures that vibe of something slightly numinous; tapping in to powers greater than yourself and more unknowable. Manages to also give a great community feel without being overly saccharine- showing that safe spaces sometimes have to be carved out of harder worlds and that this can be a painful process, but that they are ultimately worth fighting for. Cool urban fantasy vibe.
The Edge of the Abyss by M. Darusha Wehm
3/5
A fine little short story. Highlights how easy it is to blinker ourselves ideologically; shutting ourselves off from other points of view, even ones which differ only slightly from our own, and even when on the face of it we’re open and welcoming. Even when we know people on the other sides of these arbitrary divides. In such a short space, I think it maybe shoots itself in the foot by having the protagonist also be so blinkered and closed-minded; this idea can absolutely work but I think it would need a little more space to do so well.
Unexpectedly Trans-Parent by Lydia Rogue
2/5
Another story that doesn’t do much beyond the title. Once again we have a bicycle, we have interplanetary travel, and we have trans people. In this one, a child is found and subsequently adopted. I got absolutely no sense of character or worldbuilding. Did Kai (the protagonist) want to be a parent? How did they feel about children? We don’t get access to any of this that might make the story interesting or give it an arc.
Rovers by Marcus Woodman
3/5
Not bad- the metaphor of werewolves might be a little on the nose but sure, it’s fun to see. I think the same idea could have been tackled with a lot more nuance though. This one at least gives us a bit of worldbuilding; not masses but enough to be interesting. Nicely developed themes of defining your own place in the world.
The Visitmothers by Charlie Jane Anders
3/5
A pretty classic “be careful what you wish for” type cautionary tale. The idea of being able to wish away your problems is obviously tempting, but possibly also demeans the struggles that people go through to overcome their problems- which is why the ending was good to see. A different solution that doesn’t solve the original problem but provides an option that wasn’t obvious or even considered by the protagonist. That said, taking the ending of the story literally is a little weird and unsatisfying (and borderline horrific); taking it metaphorically leaves it a little saccharine. Fine story.
A Sudden Displacement of Matter by Ava Kelly
3/5
Robin Hood-type story set in an interesting future society. This feels like a lived-in world, where equality and rights have been fought for hard, and those who live there are not complacent about this fact. The plot and individual character work could use some improvement, but I enjoyed the setting of this one a lot more.
Briar Patch by Lane Fox
4/5
Really like this one. Sweet and lovingly written, with somewhat more accomplished prose than others in the collection. Interesting hints of a wider world, but defining the community that actually affects the characters clearly and allows for the short and pleasant tale to be told. Good short story.
Clashing/Complementary by Rafi Kleiman
3/5
Not bad, a fun little light urban fantasy with magic graffiti and magic-inscribed flying bicycles. Some nice little commentary on the nature and purpose of art. Nothing special characterwise.
Lucy Doesn’t Get Angry by Tucker Lieberman
2/5
A little confused, but it feels like the heart is in the right place. A different twist on the Minotaur myth where the real minotaur was inside us all along. Ends with a nice little message about righteous anger, but ultimately is too disjointed and full of somewhat twisted metaphors to really connect.
Beyond by Nathan Alling Long
2/5
Too whimsical for my tastes. Repeat after me: correlation does not imply causation. Correlation does not imply causation. I can tell that it’s trying to have fun by presenting some very speculative and very silly ideas as fact, but this rubs me the wrong way entirely.