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A review by redrocketpanda
Where the Stars Rise: Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy by Fonda Lee
5.0
Laksa Media Groups is back with another stunningly brilliant anthology and I was thrilled for them to immediately approve my request to read Where the Stars Rise after I read and reviewed their previous anthology - [b:The Sum of Us: Tales of the Bonded and Bound|34666135|The Sum Of Us Tales of the Bonded and Bound|Susan Forest|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1490236550s/34666135.jpg|55833943]. Science-fiction is one of my absolute favourite genres but it is so often dominated by white men whose main characters are bland white men with savior complexes. So when I saw Where the Stars Rise up for request on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity last year. Sadly, I didn't make time for it when I should have but I am delighted to have read it for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Where the Stars Rise starts with one request - "more diversity in our art, please" - and that's exactly what the anthology delivers. With 23 stories contained with its pages, many of which are #ownvoices, Where the Stars Rise stands proudly above the whitewashed sea of SFF and offers something unique, thought-provoking and packed full of stories that stay with you long after you've read them. Together the short stories band together to challenge Asian stereotypes, cliche's and tropes while exploring themes such as cultural tradition, complicated histories and uncertain futures, belonging and difference, and prejudice alongside a diverse array of characters from different cultures, sexualities, ages, disabilities, and citizenship status'.
As it offers so much, it would be difficult to talk about every single story in a way that does them any justice so I've chosen a varied selection from throughout the anthology to review individually.
Overall, I absolutely loved Where the Stars Rise. Like any anthology, there are always additions which I didn't like as much as the others or didn't feel that they fit well within the anthology as a whole but there wasn't a story that I would rate below 2 stars. On average most stories are definitely in the 3-5 star category, many of which I would love to revisit at a later date to read again. My favourites from the anthology include Szal's dataSultans, Back to Myan by Regina Kanyu Wang, Weaving Silk by Amanda Sun, and Old Souls by Fonda Lee.
Once again the biggest thank you ever to Laksa Media Groups for allowing me to read Where the Stars Rise in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge fan of their anthologies and can't wait to get my hands on their next one <3
Check out my full review of Where the Stars Rise on my blog!
Where the Stars Rise starts with one request - "more diversity in our art, please" - and that's exactly what the anthology delivers. With 23 stories contained with its pages, many of which are #ownvoices, Where the Stars Rise stands proudly above the whitewashed sea of SFF and offers something unique, thought-provoking and packed full of stories that stay with you long after you've read them. Together the short stories band together to challenge Asian stereotypes, cliche's and tropes while exploring themes such as cultural tradition, complicated histories and uncertain futures, belonging and difference, and prejudice alongside a diverse array of characters from different cultures, sexualities, ages, disabilities, and citizenship status'.
As it offers so much, it would be difficult to talk about every single story in a way that does them any justice so I've chosen a varied selection from throughout the anthology to review individually.
Overall, I absolutely loved Where the Stars Rise. Like any anthology, there are always additions which I didn't like as much as the others or didn't feel that they fit well within the anthology as a whole but there wasn't a story that I would rate below 2 stars. On average most stories are definitely in the 3-5 star category, many of which I would love to revisit at a later date to read again. My favourites from the anthology include Szal's dataSultans, Back to Myan by Regina Kanyu Wang, Weaving Silk by Amanda Sun, and Old Souls by Fonda Lee.
Once again the biggest thank you ever to Laksa Media Groups for allowing me to read Where the Stars Rise in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge fan of their anthologies and can't wait to get my hands on their next one <3
Check out my full review of Where the Stars Rise on my blog!