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pepper_mind's reviews
341 reviews
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Cannibalism
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Crane
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Der Marsianer by Andy Weir
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
With Love, The Stars by A. E. Bratchford, T. W. Night
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What it is about
A collection of short stories surrounding romance, fantasy and sci-fi.
Love at first sight, rivals to lovers and galaxies in between. All the tropes you love in one collection.
What I liked
This collection came just at the right time for me. I’m struggling with focus at the moment, but I still wanted to read fantasy and sci-fi, then this ARC came along!
My favourites were Synthetic, Keeper of the Afterlife and Love Isn’t Dead (Just Sleeping). I have a soft spot for combining sci-fi and fantasy elements (like androids and vampires) and queernormative* love stories.
“All they could hear was the ear-spitting high pitched hum of silence”
This sentence struck me as a writer and left me breathless. What kind of bewitched mastery is this? To describe silence like this? 10/10 show don’t tells.
The collection tackled serious topics (like anxiety, loss and death) but remained a cozy blanket of home and love.
And I want to compliment the cover too, I think it’s stunning!
What I didn’t like as much
Some of the stories felt like part of a bigger story, like a scene taken from a larger piece, and not meant to be a short story.
My preference goes to a more contained feel, without losing the open-ended nature of a short stories.
In other words: some stories had the potential for a full-blown novel and I want more. Maybe we’ll get to see that from the authors?
Final Words
I highly recommend this collection for a short break from reality. When a 700-page fantasy is too much and your brain still needs cozy, fantasy, sci-fi and romance.
Every story was so unique and the writing was great. Perfect for Valentin’s Day, or every other day.
A collection of short stories surrounding romance, fantasy and sci-fi.
Love at first sight, rivals to lovers and galaxies in between. All the tropes you love in one collection.
What I liked
This collection came just at the right time for me. I’m struggling with focus at the moment, but I still wanted to read fantasy and sci-fi, then this ARC came along!
My favourites were Synthetic, Keeper of the Afterlife and Love Isn’t Dead (Just Sleeping). I have a soft spot for combining sci-fi and fantasy elements (like androids and vampires) and queernormative* love stories.
“All they could hear was the ear-spitting high pitched hum of silence”
This sentence struck me as a writer and left me breathless. What kind of bewitched mastery is this? To describe silence like this? 10/10 show don’t tells.
The collection tackled serious topics (like anxiety, loss and death) but remained a cozy blanket of home and love.
And I want to compliment the cover too, I think it’s stunning!
What I didn’t like as much
Some of the stories felt like part of a bigger story, like a scene taken from a larger piece, and not meant to be a short story.
My preference goes to a more contained feel, without losing the open-ended nature of a short stories.
In other words: some stories had the potential for a full-blown novel and I want more. Maybe we’ll get to see that from the authors?
Final Words
I highly recommend this collection for a short break from reality. When a 700-page fantasy is too much and your brain still needs cozy, fantasy, sci-fi and romance.
Every story was so unique and the writing was great. Perfect for Valentin’s Day, or every other day.
Finna by Nino Cipri
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wolfsong by TJ Klune
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Taxi by Karen Duve
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Far from the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0