![Cover illustration by Yoshi Yoshitani Cover illustration by Yoshi Yoshitani](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB80aXecC2TtTr9WIj5v7Xi5Au2VZOQOCYXXVY6yX1MgmSSfPDELdUpp-K5RI79ByUoWqDk4QaNmuA2cfWzuBUd8znPi08g1QGqaSXgQt7hvsLjJ0_N0MFJ6zSdpBEEwTsIAQAW4_-rI/s200/9781781085783_p0_v2_s600x595%255B1%255D.jpg)
★★★☆☆
Eighteen original works of fantasy and science fiction by top authors of color. (89,832 words; Time: 4h:59m)
"New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color," edited by Nisi Shawl, published on March 12, 2019 by Solaris.
Review: 2019.261 (A Word for Authors)
Since these stories were selected based on the authors, there’s quite a variety of content here. However, three quarters of the stories are very dark: horror, dystopia, or dark fantasy, two-thirds are fantasy, and all but one are set no later than the very near future. These are not feel-good stories.
“The Fine Print,” by Chinelo Onwualu, features a world when although the Djinn have commercialized their wish-making services, there are still people who try to get out of a bad wish by trying to make another one.
“Burn the Ships,” by Alberto YÑñez, is set in a Meso-American fantasy which is being invaded by people from a Euro-centric diesel punk fantasy.
In “The Robots of Eden,” Anil Menon shows us how a brain implant that gives people greater control over their emotions makes their lives easier and yet much more alien.
Other Reviews: Search Web, GoodReads.com
Nisi Shawl Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Delightful Variety
I recommended 4 of the 17 stories I counted as genre, which is better than the 2.8 expected for a work of this size. I recommended against 4, which is about as expected (4.25). One story I decided was mainstream, not SF/F.Since these stories were selected based on the authors, there’s quite a variety of content here. However, three quarters of the stories are very dark: horror, dystopia, or dark fantasy, two-thirds are fantasy, and all but one are set no later than the very near future. These are not feel-good stories.
Recommended
“The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex,” by Tobias S. Buckell takes us to a future Earth where fabulously rich intergalactic tourists wreak havoc on our cities and culture in their attempts to have an authentic experience.“The Fine Print,” by Chinelo Onwualu, features a world when although the Djinn have commercialized their wish-making services, there are still people who try to get out of a bad wish by trying to make another one.
“Burn the Ships,” by Alberto YÑñez, is set in a Meso-American fantasy which is being invaded by people from a Euro-centric diesel punk fantasy.
In “The Robots of Eden,” Anil Menon shows us how a brain implant that gives people greater control over their emotions makes their lives easier and yet much more alien.
Other Reviews: Search Web, GoodReads.com
Nisi Shawl Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
No comments (may contain spoilers):
Post a Comment (comment policy)