This gripping science fiction novella explores the rights of women over their own bodies within a highly stratified underground society. Selemei has dThis gripping science fiction novella explores the rights of women over their own bodies within a highly stratified underground society. Selemei has done her part for the Race and birthed many children--and almost died. She still hasn't recovered, and struggles to take even a few steps on her own. She's blessed to have a cossetted life, with a politically-powerful husband who is also compassionate and loving. He heeds Selemei's concerns over the risks of sex and child labor, and proposes legislation that will drastically change their society. But then... things happen.
Truly, this is a beautiful, deep work. The worldbuilding is intricate and the characters genuine. As a wife and mother, I strongly related to Selemei, but I think Wade's masterful descriptions would enable anyone to sympathize with Selemei's plight. This novella will linger with me for a while.
Merged review:
This gripping science fiction novella explores the rights of women over their own bodies within a highly stratified underground society. Selemei has done her part for the Race and birthed many children--and almost died. She still hasn't recovered, and struggles to take even a few steps on her own. She's blessed to have a cossetted life, with a politically-powerful husband who is also compassionate and loving. He heeds Selemei's concerns over the risks of sex and child labor, and proposes legislation that will drastically change their society. But then... things happen.
Truly, this is a beautiful, deep work. The worldbuilding is intricate and the characters genuine. As a wife and mother, I strongly related to Selemei, but I think Wade's masterful descriptions would enable anyone to sympathize with Selemei's plight. This novella will linger with me for a while....more
“A breathtaking start to a new fantasy series that abounds in magic, backstabbing, and war. This is your new epic fantasy fix, rLoved it! Blurbed it!
“A breathtaking start to a new fantasy series that abounds in magic, backstabbing, and war. This is your new epic fantasy fix, right here.”—Beth Cato, author of Breath of Earth...more
I started on The Fated Sky the day after finishing the first book in the duology. Together, they are among my favorite reads for the year.
In this alteI started on The Fated Sky the day after finishing the first book in the duology. Together, they are among my favorite reads for the year.
In this alternate history, an impact off the American eastern seaboard in the early 1950s killed millions and is starting to cause radical shifts in the planet's climate. Elma York, pilot and rocket program computer, has been involved in the efforts to get humanity space-born along with her husband, lead engineer Nathaniel York. A decade after the cataclysm, their efforts have led to the formation of a space station and base on the moon, but the ultimate goal is Mars.
This journey isn't simply a matched wits battle of scientific innovation and technology, but of humanity's own innate criticism and cruelty. This is the 1960s. The Civil Rights movement is underway. Racism and sexism plague the space program, even after Elma sets off on her journey with an intrepid crew. This is, at times, an uncomfortable read, as it should be. But it's also a beautiful one. This is science fiction full of ingenuity and genuine characters. These books brought tears to my eyes more than once. The Fated Sky is also an incredibly tense read. I cared deeply about these people and I needed them to be okay. To my shock, that even included Stetson Parker, a man I truly loathed and wished death upon in the first book. He evolves here to be an even more complicated and sympathetic character.
I could talk about the authentic feel of the science and jargon, and how multiple astronauts and NASA personnel vetted the material, but I want to end this review talking about the true backbone of these two books: the marriage of the Yorks. It is probably one of the most realistic depictions I've ever read, and I've read a lot. It reminded me a lot of my own marriage. My husband is an engineer like Nathaniel and in a similar crisis-management kind of job, so the resemblances and quirks felt eerie at times. Even though Elma was the one in the most peril, I felt downright panicky over Nathaniel at times, too.
In all truth, I think these two books are now up there as among my all-time favorites. ...more
These old issues tend to be more miss than hit for me. This isn't simply because of the white dude hero theme, but the writing style--the slowness is These old issues tend to be more miss than hit for me. This isn't simply because of the white dude hero theme, but the writing style--the slowness is very evident to me. Computers have radically changed the ease of editing.
Such is the case in this issue from May 1980, when I was a mere baby. I was intrigued by several of the stories. "Window" by Bob Leman starts off like sci-fi but ends on a note of profound horror--really, this story will stay with me a while! I enjoyed the concept of "Others' Eyes," about a child who is blind except when family is in close proximity, though the ending by modern standards would be egregiously ableist. However, I ended up skimming most of the other works. The cover novelette of "The Merry Men of Methane" not only made me want to pull out a red pen (these are the best scientists around? really?) but the heavy-handed emphasis on the prettiness of the wife and the way she is described is being 'smart by accident' made me gnash by teeth.
Issues like this really highlight for me how genre short fiction has advanced in recent decades; I mean, this issue has ads in the back for Oriental and Mexican mail order brides! Yikes. The modern run of F&SF is highly readable and inclusive, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. (No ads for mail order brides, either.)...more
This book is full of science and feels. It's intense from the start, with a meteorite impact right off the eastern coast of the United States. Elma anThis book is full of science and feels. It's intense from the start, with a meteorite impact right off the eastern coast of the United States. Elma and her husband survive thanks to their science know-how--she's a WWII WASP and a computer for the rocket program, and he's a lead engineer--but as they assist the rebirth of the government, they stumble upon the awful truth that this is an extinction-level event. Humankind will need to depart the planet to survive.
Elma York is such an inspiration. She's smart, savvy in a disaster, and also fights crippling social anxiety. The entire cast exemplifies representation and diversity. This is a book that shows how the "good old 1950s" were for all sides (non-spoiler alert: the decade was not so pleasant if you weren't a white dude), even in the aftermath of a cataclysm. As if the doom of Earth wasn't enough, there's the antagonist Stetson Parker who needs to die in some terribly painful way that doesn't make him a hero. Honestly, the realism of the book is what got me. Everything felt terrible and plausible, from the science and math (vetted by astronauts!) to the adorably affectionate relationship between the Yorks to the complexity of Stetson Parker.
Needless to say, I bought the sequel straight away. I can't wait to find out what happens next....more
Cole draws on many familiar fantasy elements and twists them in new ways in this novella from Tor. This is a medieval setting where magical is punishaCole draws on many familiar fantasy elements and twists them in new ways in this novella from Tor. This is a medieval setting where magical is punishable by death of the perpetrator--and their entire town. The Order rides around the countryside to hold back the forces of hell, and make some profit while they're at it. They are almost too easy to hate in their callous corruption. Teenage Heloise and her father encounter them on the road, and Heloise doesn't stay tight-lipped and obedient as she should. This starts off what will become a Really Bad Day.
At times, Heloise's impetuous nature frustrated me, but her actions also acted as reminders that she's a normal (within her world and ours) teenage girl. Yes, she does stupid things. She's not a trained soldier. She's fairly sheltered.
The book offered many surprises for me. I won't delve into the major events near the end--and wow, are there some twists there--but without spoiling anything, I will say I was pleased by how the village reacted to her family's trouble.
In all, an enjoyable, quick read, and I look forward to reading more in the series....more
What an insightful view into the 1920s! I've read quotes from this book in several other books on the period, and it was wonderful to read them in fulWhat an insightful view into the 1920s! I've read quotes from this book in several other books on the period, and it was wonderful to read them in full context. Valeria Belletti was a 26-year-old Italian New Yorker when she went on an exciting vacation to California with her pal Irma. Valeria enjoyed the Golden State so much that she decided to stay. She settled down in California and began writing regular letters to Irma.
These are not exciting letters. This is a young woman writing to her bestie, explaining roommate woes and good dates and bad dates and sharing gossip about her new job--as secretary to Sam Goldwyn. Valeria is in Hollywood during a time of incredible transition. She quits for a time to make a dream trip to Italy to reunite with her father, only to find out he recently died, and struggles through sickness and legal issues before returning to the States. She returns to Los Angeles and chronicles changes as studios consolidate, but the instability of her job doesn't bother her too much as she's preparing for her own new job: as a wife. The letters end as Talkies emerge as the future of the industry.
Valeria comes across as such a bright, fierce woman. She is brave to strike off on her own to start anew in California, and to travel to Italy with her little-practiced Italian. She dates often, always with an eye to marriage, and is also guided by strict morals. Her viewpoint on the 1920s is an absolute treasure....more
Bengston is a remarkable detective: he goes through silent movies, frame by frame, and tries to identify where they were filmed, through both evidenceBengston is a remarkable detective: he goes through silent movies, frame by frame, and tries to identify where they were filmed, through both evidence from a hundred years ago and modern on-the-ground research in Los Angeles and New York. This particular volume focuses on the work of one of the great comedic stars of the 1920s, Harold Lloyd. I discovered Lloyd's work this past summer because of Turner Classic Movie Channel's Silent Sundays, and it was delightful to learn more about how Lloyd pulled off his brilliant stunts.
And as a writer in full research mode, I was even more delighted to find tons of useful information. This book created a lot more work for for me, but in the end, it'll make my current project much more accurate. I now must get copies of Bengston's two other works in this vein on the works of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. The author's website is also a fantastic resource.
If you're not into silent movies, this book will still be enjoyed by history buffs and urban geographers, especially those with an interest in the Los Angeles area or New York City....more
I received this galley through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Sarah Pinsker is among my favorite writers, and I was thrilled to read her new collection I received this galley through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Sarah Pinsker is among my favorite writers, and I was thrilled to read her new collection from Small Beer Press a few months in advance of release. When I say she's among my favorites, that also means I'd read most of the stories in this book before; four were new to me, but one sees its first publication in this book.
All of these stories are worth re-reading. Actually, they are worth studying on a technical level to understand why stories work. Pinsker doesn't write about big drama. She writes about people being people in sometimes extraordinary circumstances. There's a sense of subtlety to her works. In "A Stretch of Highway Two Lanes Wide," a man loses his arm, and along with his prosthetic he gains an awareness of being a road in remote Colorado. "Remembery Day" addresses PTSD and the effects of war on the next generation, without ever becoming preachy. In "And Then There were (n-one)," one of my very favorite novellas, period, she brings a brilliant spin to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" by envisioning a cross-dimensional conference of hundreds of Sarah Pinskers on an isolated island in a storm--and one of them is murdered.
Because of this collection, I started my document to track my favorite 2019 releases to nominate for awards in 2020. Yes, this collection is that good....more
I am so conflicted as I write reviews of this series because they are such an odd case where the TV series is so much better. That's especially true wI am so conflicted as I write reviews of this series because they are such an odd case where the TV series is so much better. That's especially true with Murder on the Ballarat Train. In the book, the action leaves the train quite quickly, and it feels like a third of the book is about Phryne seducing a college boy. Many of the plot elements remain the same in the episode but are shuffled around a lot, though there's a subplot involving Jane--with Bert and Cec investigating--that was closely reproduced. Details about mesmerism feel unbelievable in both print and film, though the book adds a bit about voodoo that left me saying, "Huh?" However, the characters still shine. I love Bert and Cec, and the Butlers.
This volume finishes off the collection I bought, and I don't plan on reading on....more
This smart, action-packed space opera follows a savvy Filipina named Beth who transitions from private piloting in space to the Navy. She's the first This smart, action-packed space opera follows a savvy Filipina named Beth who transitions from private piloting in space to the Navy. She's the first to meet--and survive--an encounter with aliens, and the Navy knows a good asset when they see one.
I found this to be a highly enjoyable, fast read. It follows some of the tropes of the genre, but I genuinely enjoyed the cozy feel and the inventive twists that Brazee brought to his characters and worldbuilding. On a selfish note, I love getting to read about a main character who shares my name--that doesn't happen often!...more
While written for an academic audience, Girls Will Be Boys provides a fascinating analysis of the role of cross-dressed women and lesbians in early fiWhile written for an academic audience, Girls Will Be Boys provides a fascinating analysis of the role of cross-dressed women and lesbians in early film. This is highly readable, even for the lay person. To my surprise, cross-dressed women were outright common in the early silent era, often utilized as part of a Strong Pioneer Woman archetype (and actually fed into white eugenics propaganda), and no bearing on the woman's perceived sexuality. It was only in the 1920s when lesbians became a "known" thing due to controversial movies and books, and that's when coding came in: i.e., a woman in pants must be a lesbian. More blatant depictions of lesbianism in the early 1930s sent censors into a tizzy, and so anti-perversion wording was added into the famed "Code" that dictated Hollywood productions for decades to come.
The book is sometimes redundant but I never found it outright slow. Some of the small details were especially intriguing. I was well aware of the term "pansy" for a wimpy boy in modern times or a gay man historically, but I had no idea that lesbians were dubbed "violets" after some coding used in the movie The Captive. I also didn't know that in the 1920s, "bisexual" literally meant a person possessing two sexes, and not someone attracted to men and women.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in LGBTQ history and/or early Hollywood....more
I blurbed this! "Priestess of Ishana evokes everything I love about historically-inspired fantasy with a strong and savvy heroine, a compassionate herI blurbed this! "Priestess of Ishana evokes everything I love about historically-inspired fantasy with a strong and savvy heroine, a compassionate hero, and a world both blessed and cursed by the oversight of gods. Mystery, romance, action: this has it all."...more
This intriguing secondary-world novella is about choices. Siara has never felt like she had many; as a princess, she has been ignored by both her mothThis intriguing secondary-world novella is about choices. Siara has never felt like she had many; as a princess, she has been ignored by both her mother and her emperor father. However, she never expected that upon her mother's death, she'd be locked in the crypt, alive, as an intended escort to the afterlife. The escape from there establishes the fascinating nature of Cypress's world, where most everyone is born with a set number of Choices (big C)--major life decisions, ones that you are aware of in the moment.
I'm pretty good are predicting where books go, but the very end of this delivered a twist I never saw coming! I'd love to read more about this setting. I feel like I had a mere taste here....more
Heartfield establishes a fascinating, original take on time travel in Alice Payne Arrives. While a bit mind-bendy at times (time travel does that), thHeartfield establishes a fascinating, original take on time travel in Alice Payne Arrives. While a bit mind-bendy at times (time travel does that), the intriguing characters and premise kept me glued to the screen as I read this novella. I couldn't help but love Alice Payne, the woman highway robber who craves independence, though the time-wayfaring Major Zuniga was a curiosity to me as well. Ripples across time had inflicted some odd changes within her life. The end is a bit of a cliffhanger, so I look forward to reading the sequel soon!...more
This is a book about horrible people being horrible to each other.
These two novels (more like novellas by modern standards) are considered classics. MThis is a book about horrible people being horrible to each other.
These two novels (more like novellas by modern standards) are considered classics. Miss Lonelyhearts was made into multiple movies and even an opera; Day of the Locust was made into a movie and was later dubbed one of the best books of the 20th century. That's a sad statement about the century. In any case, the movie versions must have radically changed elements from the books, as they both feature bleak tones and existential dilemmas and persistent sex, along with cruel characters who can't keep their pants on.
Miss Lonelyhearts follows the titular Miss Lonelyhearts, a man who writes answers for an advice column. He mocks the people who come to him for help, while he's an even sadder sap who hangs out with men who discuss why women should be gang raped.
The Day of the Locust takes place in 1930s Hollywood, and I was able to get some research notes out of that--thank goodness, this thing wasn't a total waste of time! Tod is a painter for a studio, but very little of the story is on actual Hollywood. Instead, Tod obsesses over a neighbor women, Faye, and repeatedly daydreams about raping her. I am not exaggerating. To quote page 107: "Nothing less than violent rape would do." Tod even gets drunk and shows up at the funeral for Faye's father, where he then tries to rape her. (Note: don't be Tod.) And yet he keeps getting turned down by her, and calls her a slut a few times, too.
Really, these two novels remind of when I read slush for a magazine, and how so many stories were of men taking revenge on shrewish women. I rejected those stories. I reject these two novels/novellas, too. I enjoy a good anti-hero. I don't mind dark stories. But these are pretentious and obnoxious. There are female main characters in both, but all of them are regarded as sexual objects to be pinched, humped, or raped. They serve no other purpose.
I will not subject myself to any more of West's works....more
The previous two books in the Winternight Trilogy are among my favorites in recent years. Therefore, my expectaI received this book through Netgalley.
The previous two books in the Winternight Trilogy are among my favorites in recent years. Therefore, my expectations were quite high. Winter of the Witch lived up to my hopes, and made me fight tears a few times along the way.
This is a series set in medieval Russia where folktale creatures exist, but are dying as people turn more to the church than to them. Vasya straddles both worlds, and fits in neither--and to complicate things more, she's a woman (a noblewoman at that). Arden's prose is gorgeous, and she writes Vasya as a strong, smart heroine who makes mistakes, learns from them, and does not give up. A romantic element is gentle and complicated all at once, and deftly handled.
There is a major heartbreaking incident that happens early on in the book. It's so devastating, it might make some readers stop. DON'T. Really. Dry your eyes and keep reading. This book is by no means a perky, happily-ever-after sort, but neither is it a grimdark bloodbath. Instead, it continues the vibe of the previous two books and manages to be fresh and vibrant and nostalgic all at once.
This issue had a wonderfully diverse mix of stories, with my favorites heavily weighted to the very beginning and end.
- “Thanksgiving” by Jeffery ForThis issue had a wonderfully diverse mix of stories, with my favorites heavily weighted to the very beginning and end.
- “Thanksgiving” by Jeffery Ford is a fun exploration on the matter of an unwelcome, uninvited guest to the feast. As I read this on the long drive to a Thanksgiving gathering, I was especially amused by the story.
- “The Baron and His Floating Daughter” by Nick DiChario. I loved this original Italian fairy tale, especially the twist at the very end.
- “The Island and Its Boy” by Bo Balder. The world fascinated me, with its living islands that travel currents through the sea, but the characters were fantastic, too. ...more
I'm in a holiday kind of mood and this fun anthology made me even more so. Mrs. Claus gives old Saint I was provided with a gratis copy by the editor.
I'm in a holiday kind of mood and this fun anthology made me even more so. Mrs. Claus gives old Saint Nick's wife (or future wife) a long-deserved chance to stand in the spotlight. The stories are incredibly diverse, with Mrs. Claus everything from a valkyrie to a witch to a space colonist. As with any anthology, I related to some stories more than others--but this time around, there were a few stories I absolutely loved:
"Wight Christmas" by Laura VanArendonk Baugh - various calendar holidays plays cameos in this creative twist on a Christmas story.
"Unexpected Guests" by Andrew Wilson - Mrs. Claus defends the castle while her husband is away
"Shouldering the Burden" by M.L.D. Curelas - a special holiday delivery to right some old wrongs
"Red to Hide the Blood" - Hayley Stone - LOVED this take with the missus as a white-haired Alaskan huntress; it has a distinct urban fantasy vibe, in a rural setting...more
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