Reviews

Glass and Gardens: Solarpunk Summers by M. Lopes da Silva, Sam S. Kepfield, Sarena Ulibarri, Gregory Scheckler, Jaymee Goh, Jerri Jerreat, Blake Jessop, Wendy Nikel, D.K. Mok, Holly Schofield, Commando Jugendstil, Shel Graves, Helen Kenwright, Charlotte M. Ray, Julia K. Patt, Stefani Cox, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Edward Edmonds

neblig's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

coriandercilantro's review against another edition

the writing in the stories just didn't grab me which is a shame bc i love solarpunk

clare_cedar's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

danthequeer's review against another edition

3.0

Caught Root: 3/5 ⭐️
The Spider and the Stars: 4/5 ⭐️
Riot of the Wind and Sun: 2/5 ⭐️
Fyrewall: 3/5 ⭐️
Watch Out, Red Crusher!: 2/5 ⭐️
The Call of the Wold: 2/5 ⭐️
Camping with City Boy: 2/3 ⭐️
A Field of Sapphires and Sunshine: 2/5 ⭐️
Midsummer Night's Heist: 2/5 ⭐️
The Heavenly Dreams of Mechanical Trees: 4/5 ⭐️
New Siberia: 3/5 ⭐️
Grover: Case #C09 920, "The Most Dangerous Blend": 2/5 ⭐️
Amber Waves: 2/5 ⭐️
Grow, Give, Repeat: 2/5 ⭐️
Cable Town Delivery: 2/5 ⭐️
Women of White Water: 2/5 ⭐️
Under the Northern Lights: 2/5 ⭐️

gondorgirl's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

jasoncomely's review against another edition

5.0

These sci-fi short stories are a breath of unpolluted air. This is a genre I hope to read more of.

blerdgirlromance's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Overall, a fantastic anthology filled with sumptuous worldbuilding and fresh ideas surrounding a post-climate change (and in some cases post-capitalist) world where societies have come together to fashion existences where nature and technology work in balance. 

The first short story, "Caught Root" drew me in immediately and it's only around the middle that the spirit of Solarpunk seems to get a little lost. Hang in there and see it through and the anthology picks back up in its expansive exploration of daily life, adventure, travel, exploration, and - in some cases- finding love.

Glass and Gardens is a great way to get back into reading if you've been in a bit of a slump and my personal short story faves were:

Caught Root
The Spider and the Stars
Fyrewall
The Heavenly Dreams of Mechanical Trees
New Siberia
Cabletown Delivery
Women of White Water
Under the Northern Lights 

knittyreader's review against another edition

5.0

I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

The short stories in this book are light, bright and optimistic. That does not mean everything is easy and perfect. It does mean they are full of hope.

Off course, as always with short stories, there were stories that resonated with me better than others. I did like them all, and feel motivated by them to look into the future.

tinynavajo's review against another edition

4.0

Optimistic

An optimistic look in a world where green energy is the focus. It is a world that I hope we will eventually be able to turn to in order to keep this planet of ours alive.

emilielures's review against another edition

3.0

I sometimes think I'm just not that into short stories, but others have captivated me more, even if I just wasn't in the mood. I found myself wanting to skim while at the same time wishing for more depth and description. Perhaps my impatience lies in the dichotomy of craving an actual manual for a real solarpunk future and not enough flesh to get lost in the stories. Thought the romances would ask least hook me but little to no build-up. Realizing this is a tricky genre to get the right blend of information sharing/ecoactivism while still being engrossing as literature. This was an early anthology of a new genre that I look forward to seeing how it plays out- and hopefully how it inspires our future.