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cheye13's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Beginning Materials: I very much appreciate including the brief nonfiction essays that contextualize the terms and concepts of survivance and two-spirit from (presumably?) Indigenous authors.
Aliens (5★): I suggest checking in with Indigenous & trans reviews, but I (cis) loved it. The perspective is challengingly limited, told through the narrator's benevolent ignorance, but I love that the real story can be glimpsed between the lines.
Legends are Made, Not Born (4★): A bit short for my taste, but beautiful.
Perfectly You (4★): great story, great concept. I felt something missing, but can't put my finger on it.
The Boys Who Became the Hummingbirds (4.5★): The imagery and style of this one is beautiful.
Né Łe! (3★): Felt more like a YA novel than a short story, despite its completeness.
Transitions (4.5★): This is exactly the kind of story I was anticipating from this collection. I wanted more of it.
Imposter Syndrome (3★): A bit complex to follow. Loved the pace & concept, but couldn't get a mental grip on it. I'd like it better as say, a novella.
Valediction at the Star View Motel (3.5★): I wanted a little more of the speculative element in this one, but the character work was great.
Parallax (5★): can't say I grasped this entirely, but I think I got the gist, and the form is gorgeous. The rhythm is entrancing, I adored it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Blood, Animal death, and Racism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Drug use, Excrement, Grief, Medical content, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual content, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Bullying, and Body horror
Most warnings apply primarily to "Imposter Syndrome," which is the most hard-scifi (focusing on aliens/space/robots/etc.) and largely allegorical. The animal warnings apply to "Ne Le" (the main character is a vet) and relate to dogs and chickens.
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