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A review by anxiousnachos
Keep Faith by Kess Costales, C.T. Callahan, Mary Fan, Elly Ha, Sofia Soter, Kate Brauning, Mayara Barros, Bogi Takács, Adiba Jaigirdar, Julia Rios, Megan Manzano, Shenwei Chang, Vanshika Prusty, Gabriela Martins
5.0
I was already tearing up at Gabhi's editor's note, so I think we all know this one is going to be emotional! But what it also is, is an incredible diverse and nuanced discussion on spirtuality. There is such a range of genres and styles, there is a story in here for everyone. So I thought I'd showcase the brilliance of each story with a mini review of each - enjoy!
And I Entreated - Bogi Takács
I don't think I quite realised how empty science fiction is of faith and religion until reading this short story and seeing it so represented. This is a wholly Jewish tale set on a space station, with one of the coolest concepts I've seen in a while: our MC has been turned into a houseplant. I just love that idea!! The mother, now houseplant, has to witness the struggles of their trans kid, clueless husband and non-binary assistant work together in their absence. With nuanced discussion of what it means to be non-binary and how that fits into Judaism, this story was an excellent start to this anthology, both humourous and touching in it's telling.
Bigger Than Us - Megan Manzano
What a sweet relationship!! Jude has just come into her powers, and can now perform magic. Her powers make her a servant to the Goddess Valencia and mean she must leave everything she's known behind to serve the goddess. But Jude doesn't want to leave Mari, the girl she loves. This is such a sweet romance about love, sacrifice, and having faith that the one you love will always come back.
Droplets of Starlight - Vanshika Prusty
"A god who hates their worshippers' happiness is no god of ours."
Oh gosh how poetic and incredibly beautiful is the prose in this story! It felt almost like a dream story for how magical and intense the slow development of Zoya and Payal's relationship was. And what a fabulous discussion of religion and gods and love - wonderful to see this so clearly on the page.
Godzilla - Kate Brauning
"I think people suffer and stagnate when they try to meet other people's ideals. You're a person, not an ideal, and if you think there's purpose and joy for you in following something other people won't like, then screw them. You are the one who has to live your life."
Yes yes yes yessssssss a story with supportive friendships, kick ass feminists who don't want to perform their queerness so you can pretend you're accepting (Y.E.S), about not being enough for anyone, about being you, unashamedly and unapologetically. I really wish I could do what this story says and stop caring what people thought.
Golden Hue - Mayara Barros
Such a different look at faith to the other stories so far! Instead of the religious focus, this was more a look at spirituality, at what happens after death, about how even after death the spirits of our loved ones are there supporting us. With cool magic, including healing magic which I always loooooove, and super fierce beasts!
How Not to Die (Again) - Gabriela Martins
Oooooh this is one of my favs!! It was so much fun and there was a little mystery as Margô the MC keeps dying and waking up a day later, and figuring out why it all seems to revolve around Josie. Super cute development of relationship - both MCs were really well characterised and I had such a sense of who they were even though it's only a short story which always impresses me! Loved the theme of having faith in yourself as well.
Life is a Story of Change - Elly Ha
Ohhhh how I adore books with mental health rep yes please and thank you! Elly Ha's story feels so relatable, it felt very real and honest in how she discussed falling in love and how mental illness, asexuality and aromance adds to this. Some great thoughts on being true to yourself alone and using the definitions which you and you alone feel comfortable with, not forcing yourself into a box just so others understand you.
Nothing Left Standing - C.T Callahan
Well this was emotional! From the very first word to the very last, this story felt oh so impactful and emotional. The despair of the MC, Aaron, was so powerful. This story very much focused on the emotional pain of the MC as opposed to action/plot and I LOVED it for it!! One of my favourites. ♥️♥️
On the Other Side - Shenwei Chang
Another totally different look at faith and queerness, this time all combined with the pressure and grief of not getting to tell a parent who you are, which felt very real and relatable. So interesting to see an insight into the Buddhist faith as well. Throughout this story, you really got a sense of peace, and hope, which was lovely.
Read the Room - Sofia Soter
Oh my gosh, this was great! I loved the poly relationship, loved the nervous flirty behaviour of all the characters, they were all so adorable trying to hide their feelings but totally failing. I also loved the background and concept of telling fortunes with cards to guide the story as well!
Ten Steps to Becoming a Successful Vlogger - Julia Rios
"You matter."
Guh these stories about having faith in yourself really do pack a hard punch. Potentially (read: extremely and 100%) because it's something I struggle with so much. This was such an interesting and different style to all the others, told as if a vlogger was saying this online. It resulted in a very unique voice and I totally could imagine this as a vlog as they were so enthusiastic and genuine in the story.
The Language of Magic - Adiba Jaigirdar
This story just made me even more excited to read Adiba's debut novel next year! This was a mysterious and magical fantasy, about having faith in magic when it calls to you, about believing the unbelievable, all to be with the one you love before it's too late.
The Messenger - Mary Fan
And I Entreated - Bogi Takács
I don't think I quite realised how empty science fiction is of faith and religion until reading this short story and seeing it so represented. This is a wholly Jewish tale set on a space station, with one of the coolest concepts I've seen in a while: our MC has been turned into a houseplant. I just love that idea!! The mother, now houseplant, has to witness the struggles of their trans kid, clueless husband and non-binary assistant work together in their absence. With nuanced discussion of what it means to be non-binary and how that fits into Judaism, this story was an excellent start to this anthology, both humourous and touching in it's telling.
Bigger Than Us - Megan Manzano
What a sweet relationship!! Jude has just come into her powers, and can now perform magic. Her powers make her a servant to the Goddess Valencia and mean she must leave everything she's known behind to serve the goddess. But Jude doesn't want to leave Mari, the girl she loves. This is such a sweet romance about love, sacrifice, and having faith that the one you love will always come back.
Droplets of Starlight - Vanshika Prusty
"A god who hates their worshippers' happiness is no god of ours."
Oh gosh how poetic and incredibly beautiful is the prose in this story! It felt almost like a dream story for how magical and intense the slow development of Zoya and Payal's relationship was. And what a fabulous discussion of religion and gods and love - wonderful to see this so clearly on the page.
Godzilla - Kate Brauning
"I think people suffer and stagnate when they try to meet other people's ideals. You're a person, not an ideal, and if you think there's purpose and joy for you in following something other people won't like, then screw them. You are the one who has to live your life."
Yes yes yes yessssssss a story with supportive friendships, kick ass feminists who don't want to perform their queerness so you can pretend you're accepting (Y.E.S), about not being enough for anyone, about being you, unashamedly and unapologetically. I really wish I could do what this story says and stop caring what people thought.
Golden Hue - Mayara Barros
Such a different look at faith to the other stories so far! Instead of the religious focus, this was more a look at spirituality, at what happens after death, about how even after death the spirits of our loved ones are there supporting us. With cool magic, including healing magic which I always loooooove, and super fierce beasts!
How Not to Die (Again) - Gabriela Martins
Oooooh this is one of my favs!! It was so much fun and there was a little mystery as Margô the MC keeps dying and waking up a day later, and figuring out why it all seems to revolve around Josie. Super cute development of relationship - both MCs were really well characterised and I had such a sense of who they were even though it's only a short story which always impresses me! Loved the theme of having faith in yourself as well.
Life is a Story of Change - Elly Ha
Ohhhh how I adore books with mental health rep yes please and thank you! Elly Ha's story feels so relatable, it felt very real and honest in how she discussed falling in love and how mental illness, asexuality and aromance adds to this. Some great thoughts on being true to yourself alone and using the definitions which you and you alone feel comfortable with, not forcing yourself into a box just so others understand you.
Nothing Left Standing - C.T Callahan
Well this was emotional! From the very first word to the very last, this story felt oh so impactful and emotional. The despair of the MC, Aaron, was so powerful. This story very much focused on the emotional pain of the MC as opposed to action/plot and I LOVED it for it!! One of my favourites. ♥️♥️
On the Other Side - Shenwei Chang
Another totally different look at faith and queerness, this time all combined with the pressure and grief of not getting to tell a parent who you are, which felt very real and relatable. So interesting to see an insight into the Buddhist faith as well. Throughout this story, you really got a sense of peace, and hope, which was lovely.
Read the Room - Sofia Soter
Oh my gosh, this was great! I loved the poly relationship, loved the nervous flirty behaviour of all the characters, they were all so adorable trying to hide their feelings but totally failing. I also loved the background and concept of telling fortunes with cards to guide the story as well!
Ten Steps to Becoming a Successful Vlogger - Julia Rios
"You matter."
Guh these stories about having faith in yourself really do pack a hard punch. Potentially (read: extremely and 100%) because it's something I struggle with so much. This was such an interesting and different style to all the others, told as if a vlogger was saying this online. It resulted in a very unique voice and I totally could imagine this as a vlog as they were so enthusiastic and genuine in the story.
The Language of Magic - Adiba Jaigirdar
This story just made me even more excited to read Adiba's debut novel next year! This was a mysterious and magical fantasy, about having faith in magic when it calls to you, about believing the unbelievable, all to be with the one you love before it's too late.
The Messenger - Mary Fan