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brose's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Incredible ideas. I wish they had more room to breath.
nickc777's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mahtzahgay's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
accidentallyinspace's review against another edition
Short stories that feel as if they are just a limited window into a larger, more fleshed out tale. I believe Newland wants the reader to make connections and headcanons for some of the surrounding information that's not revealed, and I can understand why people might like that, but it is not for me. Every tale left me slightly disappointed and confused as to the specifics of what had happened and why.
Definitely give it a try if you like drawing your own conclusions and intense reading between the lines. Writing can be somewhat challenging and high-level at times, as well.
Definitely give it a try if you like drawing your own conclusions and intense reading between the lines. Writing can be somewhat challenging and high-level at times, as well.
fiendfull's review
3.0
Cosmogramma is a collection of speculative short stories that imagine alternative futures, exploring robots, space travel, new species, and achieving the seemingly impossible. Some stories consider what happens in near futures where strange seeds appear or transformations of humans occur, whereas others look into more distant moments on other planets and intergalactic travel.
Having read Newland's A River Called Time, I was intrigued to read this collection, which sometimes covers similar themes, but looks particular at transformation, both human and otherwise. The story that made me want more was 'Seed', about what happens when strange seeds appear that grow plants looking like replicas of humans: I almost wanted a whole novel of that one, exploring it further. 'Scarecrow', depicting a world in which the dead return as good or bad, and 'Nommo', about a race of mer creatures who need a connection with humans, were other stories that drew me in, exploring how humans might treat others. As someone who doesn't read much sci-fi, short stories or longer, I enjoyed the tales that were on a possibly recognisable, but changed, version of Earth the most, as I find it harder to get into and understand stories set on different planets or worlds, but other people might enjoy some of the more space-related ones more.
Having read Newland's A River Called Time, I was intrigued to read this collection, which sometimes covers similar themes, but looks particular at transformation, both human and otherwise. The story that made me want more was 'Seed', about what happens when strange seeds appear that grow plants looking like replicas of humans: I almost wanted a whole novel of that one, exploring it further. 'Scarecrow', depicting a world in which the dead return as good or bad, and 'Nommo', about a race of mer creatures who need a connection with humans, were other stories that drew me in, exploring how humans might treat others. As someone who doesn't read much sci-fi, short stories or longer, I enjoyed the tales that were on a possibly recognisable, but changed, version of Earth the most, as I find it harder to get into and understand stories set on different planets or worlds, but other people might enjoy some of the more space-related ones more.
2treads's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I believe in the power of the planet to take care of itself, I always have, and if that comes to mean extermination, so be it,.... from Seed.
Newland obviously has a mind for charting those stories that draw upon our present and past and then extrapolate for a future that takes us beyond, but yet retains a lot of the hubris for which we seem incapable of letting go, the ways in which discrimination change and remain the same, immigrant bias, social revolution, and shifting power dynamics run through all of these stories.
These stories look at AI integration and social relationships, alien societal structure, reproduction, human incorporation, space travel, and the unknown. It is clear to see the impact of technology, anti-immigration, space exploration, advanced science, and research and development on thse stories. Their landscapes are stark with realisations of the many paths to be trod.
Newland writes in a way that I can only describe as static, precise, sometimes staccato, but this does not detract from the issues nor does it harm the creative structure of his stories, although I can see how it may alienate some readers.
The story that took root in my mind was 'Seed', in which after a storm, strange seeds took root across the globe, eventually growing into organic floral concepts of humans. A strong allegory for mother nature retaliating for the decimation we have caused by replacing us with more of Her.
Newland takes futures and futuristic concepts and makes stories that are complex, complicated, where the reader has to work as much for the unsaid as the obvious.
Newland obviously has a mind for charting those stories that draw upon our present and past and then extrapolate for a future that takes us beyond, but yet retains a lot of the hubris for which we seem incapable of letting go, the ways in which discrimination change and remain the same, immigrant bias, social revolution, and shifting power dynamics run through all of these stories.
These stories look at AI integration and social relationships, alien societal structure, reproduction, human incorporation, space travel, and the unknown. It is clear to see the impact of technology, anti-immigration, space exploration, advanced science, and research and development on thse stories. Their landscapes are stark with realisations of the many paths to be trod.
Newland writes in a way that I can only describe as static, precise, sometimes staccato, but this does not detract from the issues nor does it harm the creative structure of his stories, although I can see how it may alienate some readers.
The story that took root in my mind was 'Seed', in which after a storm, strange seeds took root across the globe, eventually growing into organic floral concepts of humans. A strong allegory for mother nature retaliating for the decimation we have caused by replacing us with more of Her.
Newland takes futures and futuristic concepts and makes stories that are complex, complicated, where the reader has to work as much for the unsaid as the obvious.
kikki_heart's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
heaven_be_reading's review against another edition
4.0
More like a 3.5, but I rounded up.
I won this free Kindle ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
Cosmogramma is a really entertaining collection of short stories about the future, aliens, all kinds of good stuff. Some of the stories I loved and wanted to read more of. Others I didn't quite get.. I may edit this review once I've read it again.
I won this free Kindle ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
Cosmogramma is a really entertaining collection of short stories about the future, aliens, all kinds of good stuff. Some of the stories I loved and wanted to read more of. Others I didn't quite get.. I may edit this review once I've read it again.
lucsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I requested Cosmogramma simply because I've rarely come across sci-fi short stories collections and once I discovered that this was written by a black author, then this became the first of its kind I have ever held.
General Impressions
I didn't love or will remember every story in this collection as it always happens but there were several stories that I loved reading and two in particular that are Black Mirror/movie adaptation worthy. If you like Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams or the movie Get out, I think this will be right up your alley.
The language used and the plots might be at times difficult to understand so this is not a book that is easy or relaxing to read but it's worth sticking to because you never know what's ahead in the next chapter.
Conclusions
If you are a lover of sci-fi, black authors or short stories, this is for you.
Rating: 4/5
General Impressions
I didn't love or will remember every story in this collection as it always happens but there were several stories that I loved reading and two in particular that are Black Mirror/movie adaptation worthy. If you like Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams or the movie Get out, I think this will be right up your alley.
The language used and the plots might be at times difficult to understand so this is not a book that is easy or relaxing to read but it's worth sticking to because you never know what's ahead in the next chapter.
Conclusions
If you are a lover of sci-fi, black authors or short stories, this is for you.
Rating: 4/5