A review by takarakei
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2023 by R.F. Kuang, John Joseph Adams

emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I’ve not read many short story anthologies (I keep buying them and not reading them 💀) but I bought this specifically because R. F. Kuang is my favorite author, and because I knew it included a short story by Alix Harrow which I had previously read and loved. Rereading The Six Deaths of the Saint hit even harder and it was definitely my favorite. Rabbit Test made me stare into space after I finished in the “I’m having a crisis” way. 

Overall, I really enjoyed most of the stories. There were only a couple that I could take or leave.

I did a few stories on audio and tandem while reading and the audio was also good, different narrators for each story.

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