A review by jillselwyn
Robots vs. Fairies by Navah Wolfe, Dominik Parisien

challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Introduction ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I expected that this was going to be a “normal” anthology introduction, was pleasantly surprised that it was an introduction to the actual world of the stories, weaving them all together. 

Build Me a Wonderland ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is not a story I would have chosen to start off the anthology with - yes it is interesting, but it feels like it’s lacking something that I can’t quite name, it just didn’t feel original or unique enough with everything that’s out now. The writing was fine, but just not fine enough to override the lack of uniqueness. 

Quality Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really thought this was going to go the way of the movie Megan, and I looked forward to it. It felt rather anticlimactic at the end. 

Murmured Under the Moon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a simple human - I see libraries, magic shape-shifting sapphic books, and love spell gone wrong and I like it. I want more of this story. It’s awesome.

The Blue Fairy’s Manifesto ⭐️

I wasn’t exactly expecting any “retellings” and honestly my experience of the story is definitely colored by my dislike for Pinnocchio. I mean it was unique and creative but it just felt bland. 

Bread and Milk and Salt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story was incredibly disturbing. Bordering on horror. And it was amazing. Thrilling, made my heart race. Made dread fill my chest. This is an excellent addition (and would do well as the opening story in fact) to this collection.

Ironheart ⭐️⭐️

Not really interesting - depressing though. 

just another love song ⭐️

(as soon as I saw “being a banshee means my voice is a tool” this plummeted down to two stars. Will see if this gets better)

“Things had gotten a little weird that summer. Fae had gone missing, and without any obvious reason. No bodies had turned up, there were no rumors that unpleasant humans were making life difficult….” (can remove “without any obvious reason” and just go straight to the example of NO OBVIOUS REASON)

same with the “noticed things”

“she’s not totally housebound” no shit? 

“it was just really hard to find it” proceeds to give an example - show not show and tell

“shit maybe I really was broken” is all that’s needed. This tells us that the same thing that happened at the beginning happened again.

Sound & Fury ⭐️⭐⭐️1/2

definitely one of the better “robots” stories so far in the collection, but also I too just want to be cozy and curled up in bed with my cat and a good book most days. 

The Bookcase Expedition ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐1/2

I won’t lie when I say the ending was a little confusing in regards to the “how long have you known” was the wife referring to the faeries? the flag? the expedition? the bookcase? outside of that one instance, my goodness what fun!

Work Shadow/Shadow Work ⭐️⭐⭐️1/2

guessing right away this is going to be also one of the better ones of the collection, I hope I’m right (so far leaning towards team fairy)

second to the left and straight on ⭐️⭐⭐️1/2

At the beginning there was still the frustrating issue of the lack of showing versus telling. But the story was captivating overall

the buried giant ⭐️⭐️1/2

eh a story within a story that vaguely reminded me of the Iron Giant

three robots experience objects…. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

pleasantly amusing

ostentation of peacocks ⭐️⭐️

confused but nice writing

all the time we’ve left to spend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

depressing and anxious 

adriftica ⭐️⭐️

why does he mention his dick so much???

to a clove pine ⭐️

lyrical but wtf did I jsut read?

a fall counts anywhere ⭐️

really didn’t enjoy - i hate the all caps when its used like that