I've written down my thoughts as I was reading this short story collection. Now that I'm finished I'm looking back at a great collection of short stories. There wasn't really a story I hated, most were good to very good and some really stood out. I don't usually read collections of short stories, but this has been a very nice surprise. I was already planning on reading more books by Mary Robinette Kowal, but now I will definitely do so!
~The Bound Man~ 3.5 stars
Very interesting story to start with. It gives a glimpse at a very interesting universe I would like to read more from.
~Chrysalis~ 4.5 stars
I thought I liked The Bound Man, but I liked this one so much more! I liked the letters, the story and was surprised at how the short story captivated me! I've heard the stories are only getting better to the end...
~Rampion~ 3 stars
Well, too short to really have an opinion about, but I didn't see that coming (might be I just don't know enough about fairy tales though).
~At the Edge of Dying~ 3 stars
Interesting story, some very special concept are mentioned but at times it felt like a part was missing and that it should have been a longer story to really get it.
~Clockwork Chickadee~ 3.5 stars
Presented in the form of a fable with clockwork animals, it was an interesting read and completely different from the other stories I've read so far.
~Body Language~ 3.5 stars
It's almost a shame we don't get to see more of this sci fi world, with the AI and the puppets. I quite liked the story.
~Waiting for Rain~ 3.5 stars
I'd never thought to say it but a very interesting story about wine, and love.
~First Flight~ 4 stars
First reaction: Time Travel! I'm always in for a little bit of time travel. The restriction on it seems logical and it makes for a very unusual heroine. I want more of this!
~Evil Robot Monkey~ 4 stars
I'd heard a lot of good things about this story, and it certainly was a good story, but it also was very, very short. Perhaps a bit too short for my taste.
~The Conciousness Problem~ 3 stars
A short tale about a clone, and how are you even able to recognize the real person if they share all their experiences. Not the best story of the set, but still enjoyable and posing an interesting question.
~For Solo Cello, op. 12~ 3.5 stars
Even though it was very short, just like the others, it managed to present a very sinister choice for a couple where the man, a cellist, just lost his arm and the woman finally is pregnant.
~For Want of A Nail~ 4.5 stars
I really liked this short story. It poses an interesting question and fits in with all the books with sentient AIs that I've read lately. Also, it shows how some very stupid small things can get enormous consequences.
~The Shocking Affair of the Dutch Steamship Friesland~ 4 stars
Sherlock Holmes! Watson! A short murder mystery with a young heroine who has a terrible choice to make.
~The Salt of the Earth~ 4 stars
Although most of the stories in this collection are quite sad, this one certainly was really sad. It is also strange to imagine a world where salt is so scarce that they need to retrieve it from bodies.
~American Changeling~ 3 stars
Mwah, I wasn't that impressed with this story about a young fairy who must save the Fairy Queen. It was a nice story, but compared to the others in this collection I felt it was less special.
~The White Phoenix Feather~ 3.5 stars
This story is subtitled A Story of Cuisine and Ninjas. And yes, it is exactly as weird as one would expect. It is a farce on gastronomy, with a twist. The weirdest story in the collection so far.
~We Interrupt This Broadcast~ 3.5 stars
Interesting story about the massive powers that lay with people we don't expect.
~Red Rockets~ 4 stars
Very short story about fire works on Mars. Oh, and punch cards.
~The Lady Astronaut of Mars~ 4 stars
Also a very sad story, like many in this collection. But a beautiful one.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
22
2
