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A review by apostrophen
North of Infinity II by Stephen Graham King, Mark Leslie
4.0
I have to admit to being a little surprised that an anthology of Canadian Science Fiction was so dark. It's not that I have anything against dystopia, but I was taken aback - surely the True North Strong and Free would have at least one glimmer of happiness? No? Oh. Okay then.
What this anthology does have, however, is some very high quality entries into short fiction.
Obviously, some names - Robert J. Sawyer - spring to the forefront of attention, and his story, "Forever," is both clever and quite moving.
"Walter's Brain," by Kimberley Footit, was absolutely charming, and made me smile throughout - one of the few science fiction stories I've read that gave me a sense of "feel-good."
The strongest of the set in my opinion was Stephen Graham King's "Pas de deux" which echoed with a grim realism and gave me a shiver-in-the-spine sensation with its closing moments.
While the tales were varied, and I'll admit to not "getting" one or two of them, as a collection, the anthology is definitely worthwhile. Kudos to Mark Leslie for gathering some Canadian talent and making a strong whole.
What this anthology does have, however, is some very high quality entries into short fiction.
Obviously, some names - Robert J. Sawyer - spring to the forefront of attention, and his story, "Forever," is both clever and quite moving.
"Walter's Brain," by Kimberley Footit, was absolutely charming, and made me smile throughout - one of the few science fiction stories I've read that gave me a sense of "feel-good."
The strongest of the set in my opinion was Stephen Graham King's "Pas de deux" which echoed with a grim realism and gave me a shiver-in-the-spine sensation with its closing moments.
While the tales were varied, and I'll admit to not "getting" one or two of them, as a collection, the anthology is definitely worthwhile. Kudos to Mark Leslie for gathering some Canadian talent and making a strong whole.