laurelthebooks's Reviews (662)

Jamaica Ginger and Other Concoctions has convinced me that every short story collection should have small author notes and context to introduce them to the reader. It makes for a truly wonderful reading experience. The title story ‘Jamaica Ginger’ was also a collaboration with the Nisi Shawl, so you get a sprinkling of another lovely author in this collection too.

We get stories ranging from environmental collapse to aliens and mystical monsters. The bonus of an anthology is that the variety of a stories mean that there is likely at least one in here for almost any reader. Regardless of what happens in each story, Hopkinson’s own offbeat and to the left approach to considering “but what if” shines through in the entire collection. Some stories gave me chills, others left me with in deep contemplation, and the introduction to each was delightful. (I now know some facts about Jamaica Ginger.)

A gently woven story about the push and pull of motherhood, all set against lush descriptions of death, magic, and the stories that make up the worlds of those around us. 

“No skin is too precious for violence, regardless of age, gender, color.”

I have absolutely been digging the fierce narrators lately, and while part of me was nervous going in because Scales had such a different tone compared to the last book it absolutely worked for me. Scales brought me into the story and had me invested in the outcome. The world, the imperfect characters that bring blood and passion to the page - just! so! good!

What Those Beyond the Wall by Micaiah Johnson delivers:
- a scathing review of Privilege & Class
- a deep look at how Story informs Belief
- a dive into Family and its connected Trauma
- a breakdown of how Public and Private Identities are built
- a no-holds barred take on Guilt and Responsibility
- incandescent rage

This is fast paced with a distinctive voice for the main narrator. If you enjoy a character with minimum inhibitions and a setting that enables them - look no further!