Take a photo of a barcode or cover
citrus_seasalt 's review for:
Like basically every anthology I’ve read, there were some duds, but when have I ever picked up an anthology to not enjoy the range in writing styles, concepts and ways stories will or won’t find a way to burrow themselves within my mind?
I think more than a couple of these stories could’ve benefitted from a larger page count—even with the stories I rated higher, there’s only so much time you can introduce a convincing sci-fi world and characters to get your reader to resonate with. Still, there was an ever-present sense of melancholy and community that I enjoyed.
Some standouts:
• “ANDWÀNIKÀDJIGAN”(4⭐️) - Or, as I called it in my Goodreads statuses, “Beta Màgòdiz”! I can see how this was adapted into a full-length novel, the writing was engrossing. And honestly, it’s a beautiful story about storytelling and passing down culture through it. (Also, queer love!) Though, because of the shortened length, a lot of details of the world itself were kept vague. For as much as I complained about the large amount of POVs in Màgòdiz, now I can really see their purpose in fleshing out the story and adding more perspectives haha. But. I feel like if I didn’t already love “Màgòdiz”, I would be indifferent to this story.
• “STORY FOR A BOTTLE”(4.25⭐️) - While not the first story in this collection to take on a letter approach/format, I feel this one does it more convincingly. The abandoned world of New America was interesting, Darcy Little Badger’s descriptions on the different settings really clicked for me. (I don’t have any put together, professional-sounding reviewer words for that. I just like her writing style.) I also enjoyed the imperfect, but honest, teenage POV.
• “ELOISE”(4.5⭐️) - Arguably, the best was saved for last. Dystopia at its finest— both surreal and cynical. The exposition was timed well and it was easy to fall into the flow of the story, I enjoyed seeing Cassie’s thoughts change and question a little more of her reality the further along in the story we got. My only gripe is that the ending was strange, and I’m still trying to make sense of it?
I’d like to mention “THE ARK OF THE TURTLE’S BACK”, just because it was interesting to read something by jaye simpson that was in prose instead of poetry. Maybe I was quick to pick up on this because I’ve followed jaye’s Instagram and view her stories consistently, but the theme of Nichiiwad wanting to be a queer mother, relative, or/and elder for her family honestly made this story feel emotional. I liked her as a character, and how she always kept a part of Earth with her. Though, I don’t have this story in the standouts because there wasn’t enough time with the larger cast of characters, and I wasn’t as satisfied as I was with the other stories by authors I’ve liked. (The exposition also comes kind of abruptly because Nichiiwad is conked out right before the change in setting. Though, I did appreciate getting information the same time as the MC.)
Sidenote: I see a lot of people praising “ABACUS” or calling it a standout, but while I liked some of the worldbuilding in that one, I didn’t like the pop culture references, and the romance was (predictably, but still unpleasantly,) bizarre.
Overall, though, I really loved getting to read several different stories with 2spirit characters at the forefront. Even if some readers don’t like the little time given to try to grasp each story and world, the perspectives offered are still valuable.
I think more than a couple of these stories could’ve benefitted from a larger page count—even with the stories I rated higher, there’s only so much time you can introduce a convincing sci-fi world and characters to get your reader to resonate with. Still, there was an ever-present sense of melancholy and community that I enjoyed.
Some standouts:
• “ANDWÀNIKÀDJIGAN”(4⭐️) - Or, as I called it in my Goodreads statuses, “Beta Màgòdiz”! I can see how this was adapted into a full-length novel, the writing was engrossing. And honestly, it’s a beautiful story about storytelling and passing down culture through it. (Also, queer love!) Though, because of the shortened length, a lot of details of the world itself were kept vague. For as much as I complained about the large amount of POVs in Màgòdiz, now I can really see their purpose in fleshing out the story and adding more perspectives haha. But. I feel like if I didn’t already love “Màgòdiz”, I would be indifferent to this story.
• “STORY FOR A BOTTLE”(4.25⭐️) - While not the first story in this collection to take on a letter approach/format, I feel this one does it more convincingly. The abandoned world of New America was interesting, Darcy Little Badger’s descriptions on the different settings really clicked for me. (I don’t have any put together, professional-sounding reviewer words for that. I just like her writing style.) I also enjoyed the imperfect, but honest, teenage POV.
• “ELOISE”(4.5⭐️) - Arguably, the best was saved for last. Dystopia at its finest— both surreal and cynical. The exposition was timed well and it was easy to fall into the flow of the story, I enjoyed seeing Cassie’s thoughts change and question a little more of her reality the further along in the story we got. My only gripe is that the ending was strange, and I’m still trying to make sense of it?
I’d like to mention “THE ARK OF THE TURTLE’S BACK”, just because it was interesting to read something by jaye simpson that was in prose instead of poetry. Maybe I was quick to pick up on this because I’ve followed jaye’s Instagram and view her stories consistently, but the theme of Nichiiwad wanting to be a queer mother, relative, or/and elder for her family honestly made this story feel emotional. I liked her as a character, and how she always kept a part of Earth with her. Though, I don’t have this story in the standouts because there wasn’t enough time with the larger cast of characters, and I wasn’t as satisfied as I was with the other stories by authors I’ve liked. (The exposition also comes kind of abruptly because Nichiiwad is conked out right before the change in setting. Though, I did appreciate getting information the same time as the MC.)
Sidenote: I see a lot of people praising “ABACUS” or calling it a standout, but while I liked some of the worldbuilding in that one, I didn’t like the pop culture references, and the romance was (predictably, but still unpleasantly,) bizarre.
Overall, though, I really loved getting to read several different stories with 2spirit characters at the forefront. Even if some readers don’t like the little time given to try to grasp each story and world, the perspectives offered are still valuable.