Scan barcode
A review by cefthy
Biketopia: Feminist Bicycle Science Fiction Stories in Extreme Futures by Gretchin Lair, Kris Rose, Sarena Ulibarri, Maddy Spencer, Leigh Ward-Smith, Dylan Siegler, Cynthia Marts, Robert Bose, Elly Blue, Jessie Kwak, Jim Warrenfeltz
4.0
(True average was 3.6, but the reading experience overall was more of a 4 anyway)
Picked this up at AWP after juggling between multiple Elly Blue speculative bike-themed anthologies, and ultimately going with a cover buy. I like yellow!
It ended up being a good choice, and I’m going to be looking out for many of these authors, as well as for more Microcosm anthologies and publications.
(Many of these stories are very short, so I’ll try to keep descriptions vague.)
“Riding in Place” by Sarena Ulibarri (3/5)
Collette has been drafted to the asteroid mines, and is counting down the days to return to earth when she meets an AI worker on the stationary bikes. Interesting, if conventional. I was more interested in the briefly-discussed Sisters of the Sun cult than the actual emotional-robot storyline.
“Taming the Beast” by Robert Bose (2.5/5)
In 2046, Ishani is given a government-sanctioned smart bicycle to replace his antiquated car. I could not deal with the idea that, in 20 years, we would all be saying “fark” instead of fuck. I like the bike gang though.
“Meet-cute” by Maddy Spencer
A comic strip! No dialogue, truly just a meet-cute. Liked the art, not going to try to rate it.
“Signal Lost” by Gretchen Lair (4.5/5)
The story opens with Tara receiving a push notification that she’s pregnant, and just gets weirder from there. I get overwhelmed thinking about data privacy at least weekly, and this was a really interesting take on it— as well as on the expectations and pressures of perfection put on mothers.
“Portlandtown” by Elly Blue (2.5/5)
There’s a matriarchy and entirely too many characters.
“Fast Learner” by Kris Rose (4.5/5)
This one follows Missy learning some difficult truths about her marriage as a mysterious plague overcomes the human race. The resolution of this was so ridiculous and delightful.
“Day 3658” by Dylan Siegler (3.5/5)
Zacky, Ashley, and Mandy are on the run from both the zombie apocalypse and dangerous military run “sanctuaries”. Omelas-esque, but much more fun.
“Shelter” by Cynthia Marts (5/5)
Donna is at risk of losing everything after her brother and guardian’s death in an extremely restrictive dystopia, and finds some solace in a support group. God, I love this one.
“Questions With the First” by Jim Warrenfeltz (4/5)
This is a transcript of an interview with the leader (or “first among equals”) of the People’s Republic of Real America. Really interesting, and also made me indirectly excited for the upcoming Hunger Games prequel.
“The Future of Flirtation” by Leigh Ward-Smith (2.5/5)
Mika meets a mysterious stranger at the diner where she works. It’s weird! Also, not enough about bikes.
“Maaike’s Aquatic Center for Bicycles Raised by Fishes” (4/5)
It’s all in the title. Cute!
The book concludes with book and television reviews that all relate back to bicycles somehow. Sure, I guess.
Picked this up at AWP after juggling between multiple Elly Blue speculative bike-themed anthologies, and ultimately going with a cover buy. I like yellow!
It ended up being a good choice, and I’m going to be looking out for many of these authors, as well as for more Microcosm anthologies and publications.
(Many of these stories are very short, so I’ll try to keep descriptions vague.)
“Riding in Place” by Sarena Ulibarri (3/5)
Collette has been drafted to the asteroid mines, and is counting down the days to return to earth when she meets an AI worker on the stationary bikes. Interesting, if conventional. I was more interested in the briefly-discussed Sisters of the Sun cult than the actual emotional-robot storyline.
“Taming the Beast” by Robert Bose (2.5/5)
In 2046, Ishani is given a government-sanctioned smart bicycle to replace his antiquated car. I could not deal with the idea that, in 20 years, we would all be saying “fark” instead of fuck. I like the bike gang though.
“Meet-cute” by Maddy Spencer
A comic strip! No dialogue, truly just a meet-cute. Liked the art, not going to try to rate it.
“Signal Lost” by Gretchen Lair (4.5/5)
The story opens with Tara receiving a push notification that she’s pregnant, and just gets weirder from there. I get overwhelmed thinking about data privacy at least weekly, and this was a really interesting take on it— as well as on the expectations and pressures of perfection put on mothers.
“Portlandtown” by Elly Blue (2.5/5)
There’s a matriarchy and entirely too many characters.
“Fast Learner” by Kris Rose (4.5/5)
This one follows Missy learning some difficult truths about her marriage as a mysterious plague overcomes the human race. The resolution of this was so ridiculous and delightful.
“Day 3658” by Dylan Siegler (3.5/5)
Zacky, Ashley, and Mandy are on the run from both the zombie apocalypse and dangerous military run “sanctuaries”. Omelas-esque, but much more fun.
“Shelter” by Cynthia Marts (5/5)
Donna is at risk of losing everything after her brother and guardian’s death in an extremely restrictive dystopia, and finds some solace in a support group. God, I love this one.
“Questions With the First” by Jim Warrenfeltz (4/5)
This is a transcript of an interview with the leader (or “first among equals”) of the People’s Republic of Real America. Really interesting, and also made me indirectly excited for the upcoming Hunger Games prequel.
“The Future of Flirtation” by Leigh Ward-Smith (2.5/5)
Mika meets a mysterious stranger at the diner where she works. It’s weird! Also, not enough about bikes.
“Maaike’s Aquatic Center for Bicycles Raised by Fishes” (4/5)
It’s all in the title. Cute!
The book concludes with book and television reviews that all relate back to bicycles somehow. Sure, I guess.