Zeitgeber by Greg Egan

October 31, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Zeitgeber by Greg Egan
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (39 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

For millions of years, life on Earth has taken its cues from the rising and setting of the sun, and for most of human history we’ve followed the same rhythm. But if that shared connection was broken, and we each fell under the sway of our own private clock, could we still hold our lives together? One family is about to find out.

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The premise of this tale grabbed my attention immediately. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to suddenly have one’s circadian rhythm change without warning and with no explanation of why it was happening. It was a problem that was ordinary enough for me to imagine myself in these character’s shoes while also mysterious enough to create some memorable plot twists. This is one of my favorite types of science fiction, and I couldn’t wait to find out what was causing these issues.

There were a few plot holes that I wish had been better explained. They had to do with how humanity reacted to the sleep cycles of some people changing so rapidly and permanently. Since this story unfolded over multiple years, I would have expected people to adjust to these changes better than they appeared to. It would have been helpful to have some more clues about why this didn’t happen for them.

With that being said, the ending was well done. It was subtly hinted at earlier on in the storyline, so seeing it play out the way I thought it might made me smile. I also appreciated the fact that the author gave his audience so much freedom in coming up with our own theories about what caused this illness and what might happen to the characters in the future. There was room for a sequel, but I was also pretty satisfied with what had already been shared with the readers.

If you’ve ever had trouble with your sleep cycle, Zeitgeber might be right up your alley.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Hundredth House Had No Walls by Laurie Penny

October 29, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Hundredth House Had No Walls by Laurie Penny
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (22 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The King was bored.

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Living happily ever after doesn’t look the same for everyone.

The storyline was creative and thought provoking. It played around with so many different tropes that I’d be hard pressed to pigeonhole it into any one particular type of plot. There were elements of fairy tales, high fantasy, urban fantasy, magical realism, and a few other sub-genres all dancing around together simultaneously. I was mesmerized by how Ms. Penny was able to mix everything together so effortlessly. While I’ve read countless fantasy novels, I was surprised time and again by how she combined familiar and not-so-familiar themes from so many different corners of the fantasy genre.

There were a couple of things about the ending that I wish had been developed more thoroughly. The king was written in a very specific way in the beginning and middle. He was intelligent and hard working, but he was also stubborn and had a tendency to assume that everyone saw the world the same way he did. It came as a bit of a surprise to me to see how these traits of his influenced the final scene. While I definitely saw where the author was going with that twist, I also thought it would have been helpful to have a stronger explanation of how and why he was evolving.

Yes, the names of the king and the various people he met on his adventures were eventually shared. I’ve decided to leave them out of this review because of how long it took me to learn them and how important those details were for their character development. Honestly, figuring out their identities was an important step in getting to know these characters better and understanding why they weren’t behaving the way one would expect people to act in this sort of setting. Getting to know them all was a great deal of fun, and I’d like it if other readers had the same opportunity to figure out these characters with as little information about their identities or personalities beforehand as possible.

I’d strongly recommend The Hundredth House Has No Walls to anyone who has ever wished fairy tales came true in real life.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Cup of Salt Tears by Isabel Yap

October 29, 2019 By Leave a Comment


A Cup of Salt Tears by Isabel Yap
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Makino’s mother taught her caution, showed her how to carve her name into cucumbers, and insisted that she never let a kappa touch her. But when she grows up and her husband Tetsuya falls deathly ill, a kappa that claims to know her comes calling with a barbed promise. “A Cup of Salt Tears” is a dark fantasy leaning towards horror that asks how much someone should sacrifice for the one she loves.

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Makino had been through some hard times in her life, but the worst seemed like it was just around the corner when I first met her. Her reaction to the news that her husband was dying only endeared me to her even more. She loved him very much, and her heart was breaking as his health deteriorated. This was such a difficult experience for her that I kept hoping they’d somehow get a happy ending.

The ending was confusing to me. There were at least two different ways it could have been interpreted, but neither of them quite seemed to fit the tone of the beginning and middle. One of them was very bleak and felt totally out of character for what I’d learned about Makino’s personality. The other one seemed to have ignored important plot twists from earlier scenes. It would have been helpful to know what the author was actually trying to say and if the interpretations I came up with were close to how she imagined the final scene.

Kappas aren’t a monster I’d ever read about before, so I was curious to see what this one was like. His quiet intelligence surprised me at first. It also made me more curious to figure out his connection to Makino was and why he showed up just after her husband had been told there was nothing more the doctors could do for him. This was definitely a horror story, but it was like nothing I’d ever read before in this genre. I was impressed by how much thought the author put into developing the villain and his reasons for behaving the way that he did.

I’d recommend A Cup of Salt Tears to anyone who likes modern twists on old legends.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Please Undo This Hurt by Seth Dickinson

October 25, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Please Undo This Hurt by Seth Dickinson
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (30 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Ever feel like you care too much? After a breakup, after the funeral…it feels like the way to win at life is to care the least.

That’s not an option for Dominga, an EMT who cares too much, or her drinking buddy Nico, who just lost his poor cat. Life hurts. They drink. They talk:

Nico’s tired of hurting people. He wants out. Not suicide, not that – he’d just hurt everyone who loves him. But what if he could erase his whole life? Undo the fact of his birth? Wouldn’t Dominga be having a better night, right now, if she didn’t have to take care of him?
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I am not letting him have this. I am not letting Nico go without a fight.

Some problems loom so large they feel unfixable. Are they, though?

The character development in this story was well done. Both Dominga and her good friend, Nico, were dealing with painful life experiences when the audience first met them. They were muddling through the stages of grief as best as they could, but they were clearly struggling with their losses. Sometimes flashes of their previous selves poked through their sadness, and I smiled at the joy they’d both known. They were still the same clever and thoughtful people they’d been in the past, but it was interesting to see how they’d changed since their lives became more difficult. There were so many layers to these characters that I can’t explore all of them in one review, but I was quite pleased with how much effort Mr. Dickinson put into describing them and their journeys to us. He did an amazing job.

I would have liked to see a little more time spent developing the solution Dominga found for the angst she and Nico felt. It was such a unique idea, so I was a bit surprised by how quickly the characters brushed over exactly how it would work and where it came from. If more care had been taken in this part of the storyline, I would have easily gone for a five star rating. Everything else about it was perfect.

This was one of the best descriptions of what depression feels like that I’ve ever read, and I’m saying that as someone who has personal experience with the topic. One of the hardest things about this mental illness is how emotionally exhausting it is. Things that made someone happy before they became ill can now feel impossible. Dominga and Nico knew this feeling all too well. Her descriptions of trying to drag her and her friend through ordinary life experiences made me nod in empathy. They were dealing with a sickness that seems like it will last forever. More than anything, I wanted them to find relief from it. The deeper they fell into depression, the stronger my desire became to see what their fates would be.

I’d especially recommend Please Undo This Hurt to anyone who is feeling burned out or mentally exhausted.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Dreamer by Il Sung Na

October 24, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Dreamer by Il Sung Na
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (52 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Even pigs can learn to fly: Once, there was a pig who admired birds. But he could never join them. Or could he? Thus begins the journey of a pig with big dreams, and the perseverance to make them come true. He develops flight plans, builds experimental contraptions, and has far-flung adventures, but at the end of the day, his favorite thing to do is sit and watch for those he loves best: birds. Il Sung Na creates a world at once whimsical and aspirational, where anything is possible and, yes, even pigs can learn to fly.

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There was so much room for letting the reader’s imagination run wild in this tale. While the narrator supplied the basic details of why the pig wanted to fly and what steps he took to make that dream a reality, the audience was also given plenty of leeway to figure out how every decision he made was linked to the ones before and after it. I appreciated that.

The ending didn’t make a great deal of sense to me. In one scene, the plot was chugging along nicely. In the next, it abruptly stopped. That was a disappointing page to turn to after having such a nice buildup of expectation and emotion earlier on in the plot. As much as I enjoyed the freedom this story gave it’s audience to fill in all of the little details ourselves, the final scene really need need a more thorough explanation.

Failure is a normal part of trying to solve just about any sort of problem. The fact that so many of pig’s designs didn’t work was refreshing, and the only thing better than that was seeing how he reacted every time he had to go back to the drawing board and try something new. His perseverance was something to be admired. He never gave up trying no matter what happened to him or how many of his ideas turned out not to work that well after all.

The Dreamer should be read by and to people who have vivid imaginations.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush and the Warm Springs Discovery by Joni Franks

October 22, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush and the Warm Springs Discovery by Joni Franks
Publisher: Xlibris
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (54 pages)
Age Recommendation: 8+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Sagebrush felt as if the world had gone to sleep and that she was the only one awake as she peered out the window of the little mountain cabin she called home. The sound of the wet falling snow was as quiet as feathers landing on the ground as the magical landscape of the Rocky Mountains and the cattle ranch became enveloped in a blanket of white snow. Follow Sagebrush and the Young Miss as they discover the secret warm springs hidden deep within the mountains and teach the moral lesson of sharing Mother Earth’s precious resources with a homeless man and the tiny people known as the Shuns, who are seeking a forever home. The fifth book in a multi-award-winning collection, Sagebrush and the Warm Springs Discovery is a memorable and extraordinary fairy tale.

Even adults have trouble sharing sometimes.
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One of the Shuns had a medical condition that isn’t generally talked about in children’s books. I appreciated the fact that the author introduced someone who was dealing with that problem. While I won’t say what it was to avoid giving away any spoilers, it’s always nice to see representations of characters who are dealing with health issues.

I would have liked to see a little more conflict in the plot. The one problem the characters faced was solved pretty quickly. As happy as I was to see how they resolved it, there is also something to be said for encouraging characters to work a bit harder to reach their goals. Seeing how they struggle through things that don’t come easily to them can make all sorts of plot twists possible. With that being said, this was a minor criticism of something I enjoyed reading.

Once again, I was impressed with the kindness woven into this story. It was something I noticed the first time I read about this world, so I was pleased to see that theme pop up again. All of the main characters looked out for each other, especially the friends of their who were smaller or weaker than most folks. That’s always a lovely thing to read about, and it’s making me hope for more sequels soon.

This is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone work.

Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush and the Warm Springs Discovery should be read by anyone who enjoys spending time out in nature.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Starlet is Born by Maysam Yabandeh

October 17, 2019 By 1 Comment


A Starlet is Born by Maysam Yabandeh
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (42 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Green aliens, the original residents of the earth, are temporarily living in Greenovia, a planet at the edge of the great black hole. They are concerned that with the way humans are treating the planet, there might not be anything left of it when they will return. To figure why humans are not taking care of their planet, they send a spy to live on earth as a human being. The mission goes wrong, however, and disrupts the romantic life as we know it. The alien romance, however, turns to be a key in understanding the humans’ plan for the environment.

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As soon as I read the premise, I knew I had to find out more. There aren’t a lot of examples of aliens acting benevolently in the science fiction genre, so I get excited every time I find something that assumes beings from another planet would want to help humanity instead of harm us. The creative approach to Greenovians and their plans for us kept me reading until the final scene. There were so many possible paths their visit could take that I had to know what would become of everyone.

Unfortunately, all of the characters in this story were flat. I found it hard to take them seriously because of how many stereotypes were used to describe them and how little time the narrator spent explaining their personalities. They often read like caricatures of certain types of people. It would have been really helpful to get to know them better so that I could see them as individuals instead.

There were some fascinating plot twists in this tale, however. It was difficult for the green aliens to understand why humans behaved the way they did. The cultural differences between their species and our own were so massive that there were many things that simply didn’t translate well between us. I found it very interesting to see how the aliens interpreted the human’s actions and how they reacted once they believed they’d figured out what we want.

A Starlet is Born should be read by anyone who enjoys aliens.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Cycles of the Phoenix by C. A. Nicholas

October 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Cycles of the Phoenix by C. A. Nicholas
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Heat Rating: Spicy
Length: Full length (470 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

C.A. Nicholas’s magnum opus symphony is about to begin and he’s reserved a seat for you. So come on in and I’ll lead you to your place of honour as the house lights dim. Yes, your spot is beside the maestro as he teleports you and he through various worlds to befriend diverse souls who’ll reveal the beauty of your life through their stories.

Hope, love, and perseverance infuse this art piece; ready to embrace anyone who feels lonely and enchained within the essence of a starless and moonless night. However, not all of his stories of fantasy, humour, and horror within may have happily ever afters though take heart in knowing that there is a humanity enriching purpose to any of the possibly devastating conclusions.

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The characters and their difficult situations inspire sympathy with the way they deal with their challenges. Rich details bring imaginary worlds to life. The relationships vary and are sometimes tender, sometimes violent, but always written in a way to make readers feel what the characters are feeling.

There is a section of the book from the point of view of those suffering from Depression and Anxiety, a common affliction, and it is written so well that those who do not suffer from these can gain an understanding, a real inside view. Also, the author takes into consideration the effects on sufferer’s loved ones. It’s very well-done.

There is a variety of stories, but they all reside in the world of fantasy, even as their underlying concepts, their moods, represent internal experiences for many people. Those who have suffered different types of losses could find comfort by reading these fictional tales, but high emotions will surely be felt, and one sympathizes with the innocent and gets angry at the victimizers. All this occurs in meticulously developed settings, rich with sensual details.

Some of the stories are even a bit shocking. Especially the last one. The book ends on a dramatic note and will have one remembering–and feeling–for some time to come.

If you want to be moved and read stories presented in a unique, lyrical way, this book would be a good one to try.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

I Was a Gay Teenage Zombie by Alison Cybe

October 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment


I Was a Gay Teenage Zombie by Alison Cybe
Publisher: Deep Hearts YA
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (164 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“Y’know, if I was a sexy type of undead, like a vampire or something, I’m sure I’d have some kind of supernatural power to bring any guy I liked under my charismatic control. Best I can hope for is to not decompose over someone’s shoes. How romantic.”

And you thought it was hard coming out as gay… Jay was a perfectly normal teenager, like any other awkward, antisocial, gay teenager. Until he was bitten by a mysterious zombie boy.
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Now, Jay has far more on his mind than he can handle. Not only is he struggling to keep his troubled family together and deal with his unfulfilled love for the hottest guy in school, he also needs to keep in check his urge to devour human flesh. All the while making sure his decomposition doesn’t show. As if he wasn’t already enough of an outsider…

This unique story offers a fresh and exciting new twist on the young adult LGBT coming-of-age comedy horror tale. Shockingly aware and witty, this thrilling tale by acclaimed horror and dark fantasy author Alison Cybe dishes up side-splitting laughter, stomach-churning horror, heart-rending drama and everything you’ll need to know about growing up when you just don’t fit in.

Some zombies are full of surprises.

Jay’s character development was marvelous. Like many teenagers, he dealt with moods that sometimes changed rapidly and often felt like no one in the world understood him. Ms. Cybe captured what it’s like to be a teenager perfectly. If that wasn’t enough, Jay also changed in all sorts of delightful ways as his body continued to look less like the person he’d been before he was bitten. He felt real to me, and that’s always something to praise.

There were some parts of the storyline that weren’t well developed. This was especially true when it came to some of the things the protagonist did to hide his injury, illness, death, resurrection, and undead afterlife from the people closest to him. I was surprised by how oblivious his parents were to all of these developments, and it would have been nice to have more reasons for them missing such blatant signs that something had dramatically changed in their son’s life. If they’d been included, I would have given this book a much higher rating. Everything else about it was great.

The descriptions of what it felt like to be zombie were well done. Every universe has their own rules about how this process works and how long it takes. This was definitely one of the longest transformations I’ve ever read about, so I was fascinated by how slowly Jay changed after he was bitten. It was also interesting to see all of the ways he didn’t conform to the typical stereotypes of this monster. Sharing specific details about them would give away too many spoilers, but the author did a great job of putting her own twist on traditional zombie lore.

I Was a Gay Teenage Zombie should be read by fans of the young adult and horror genres alike.

Filed Under: Horror, Other, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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