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A review by carols
The Locus Awards: Thirty Years of the Best in Science Fiction and Fantasy by Jonathan Strahan, Charles N. Brown
4.0
As many collections are, this was a mixed bag of stories. Some were amazing and some were only okay.
The Death of Doctor Island by Gene Wolfe
Eh. This one wasn't terrible, but I didn't like it that much. 3 stars.
The Day Before the Revolution by Ursula K. Le Guin
I've discovered that when I like her work, I really like it. Otherwise, I find it only okay or don't like it at all. This one was just okay. 3 stars.
Jeffty is Five by Harlan Ellison
This one blew me away. It's sweet and sad and I keep finding myself thinking of it. 5 stars.
The Persistence of Vision by John Varley
This is about a glut of babies born deaf and blindand how, once they grew up, they learned to cope on their own in the world and one outsider's experience. This blew. me. away. 5 stars.
The Way of the Cross and Dragon by George R. R. Martin
This was an interesting tale about faith and heresy. Kind of. 4.5 stars.
Souls by Joanna Russ
This is the story of a nun who deals with Vikings. They got much more than they bargained for. 5 stars.
Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler
I don't want to say anything about this story, but again, it blew. me. away. 5 stars.
The Only Neat Thing to Do by James Tiptree Jr.
This tells of a girl who inadvertently picks up an alien life form. They form a friendship that's put to the test rather quickly. 4.5 stars.
Rachel in Love by Pat Murphy
Who knew a gorilla could be so sympathetic and human? 3.5 stars
The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter by Lucius Shepard
The story started out hopefully, but quicklyturned my stomach. I didn't expect a rape, or to have to read the details of said rape and lost my love for the story. It also dragged on, and though the ending was original (the last lines were perfect), it didn't make up for the middle. I did like the way the characters interacted with each other, and I liked Catherine. I think this story just wasn't for me. 1.5 stars.
Bears Discover Fire by Terry Bisson
Everyone praised this story, and though I found it sweet, I don't think it was one of the best in this book. 3.5 stars.
Buffalo by John Kessel
This is a fictional tale of the author's father meeting H. G. Wells. I loved the people and the father's reaction to meeting Wells. 4 stars.
Even the Queen by Connie Willis
Quite the smart (and amusing) story regarding women's rights. 4 stars.
Gone by John Crowley
This is a sweet and sad little story. 4 stars.
Maneki Neko by Bruce Sterling
This story revolves around those good luck kitties with one paw raised and technology. 5 stars.
Border Guards by Greg Egan
This one brought tears to my eyes. 5 stars.
Hell is the Absence of God by Ted Caiang
As a Christian, I didn't like this portrayal of God, though the story was very well written. 3 stars.
October in the Chair by Neil Gaiman
I've read this story numerous times and I STILL love it. 5 stars.
The Death of Doctor Island by Gene Wolfe
Eh. This one wasn't terrible, but I didn't like it that much. 3 stars.
The Day Before the Revolution by Ursula K. Le Guin
I've discovered that when I like her work, I really like it. Otherwise, I find it only okay or don't like it at all. This one was just okay. 3 stars.
Jeffty is Five by Harlan Ellison
This one blew me away. It's sweet and sad and I keep finding myself thinking of it. 5 stars.
The Persistence of Vision by John Varley
This is about a glut of babies born deaf and blindand how, once they grew up, they learned to cope on their own in the world and one outsider's experience. This blew. me. away. 5 stars.
The Way of the Cross and Dragon by George R. R. Martin
This was an interesting tale about faith and heresy. Kind of. 4.5 stars.
Souls by Joanna Russ
This is the story of a nun who deals with Vikings. They got much more than they bargained for. 5 stars.
Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler
I don't want to say anything about this story, but again, it blew. me. away. 5 stars.
The Only Neat Thing to Do by James Tiptree Jr.
This tells of a girl who inadvertently picks up an alien life form. They form a friendship that's put to the test rather quickly. 4.5 stars.
Rachel in Love by Pat Murphy
Who knew a gorilla could be so sympathetic and human? 3.5 stars
The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter by Lucius Shepard
The story started out hopefully, but quickly
Bears Discover Fire by Terry Bisson
Everyone praised this story, and though I found it sweet, I don't think it was one of the best in this book. 3.5 stars.
Buffalo by John Kessel
This is a fictional tale of the author's father meeting H. G. Wells. I loved the people and the father's reaction to meeting Wells. 4 stars.
Even the Queen by Connie Willis
Quite the smart (and amusing) story regarding women's rights. 4 stars.
Gone by John Crowley
This is a sweet and sad little story. 4 stars.
Maneki Neko by Bruce Sterling
This story revolves around those good luck kitties with one paw raised and technology. 5 stars.
Border Guards by Greg Egan
This one brought tears to my eyes. 5 stars.
Hell is the Absence of God by Ted Caiang
As a Christian, I didn't like this portrayal of God, though the story was very well written. 3 stars.
October in the Chair by Neil Gaiman
I've read this story numerous times and I STILL love it. 5 stars.