(Hard SF) About a century ago, aliens distributed "the Blessing," which ended war by making people less violent. But civilization collapsed, and it's proving difficult to rebuild. (5,000 words; Time: 16m)
Rating: ★★★★★ Award-Worthy
"Blessings," by Nancy Kress [bio] (edited by John Joseph Adams and Hugh Howey), appeared in The End Has Come (RSR review), published on May 1, 2015 by Broad Reach Publishing.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: All of the pieces gradually come together. The aliens have reduced violence and sex because they want the planet. The "bears" are really people. Jenna is free of the blessing, which is why she finds Zane unappealing--and Jake very appealing. The aliens don't talk to us because they don't want to help us. They don't run extermination missions because they're violence averse as well. It all makes sense by the end.
The emotional punch is strong for several reasons. Seeing aliens trying to neuter us and steal our planet is wrenching, but we also mourn for Jake's loss.
Con: If they're so violence averse, how do they manage to kill teams of raiders?
Other Reviews: Search Web, GoodReads.com
Nancy Kress Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
The emotional punch is strong for several reasons. Seeing aliens trying to neuter us and steal our planet is wrenching, but we also mourn for Jake's loss.
Con: If they're so violence averse, how do they manage to kill teams of raiders?
Other Reviews: Search Web, GoodReads.com
Nancy Kress Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
No comments (may contain spoilers):
Post a Comment (comment policy)