Three friends, who are mostly strangers, meet up occasionally and sometimes get into mischief and good deeds over the decades. Each character is theirThree friends, who are mostly strangers, meet up occasionally and sometimes get into mischief and good deeds over the decades. Each character is their own part, encapsulated, which I didn't like. The first two parts are the most interesting and engaging, especially because I am the same age and share many of the same experiences of growing up. The last part was dark and creepy and such an odd turn. ...more
While the actual story is a bit plodding for the first half, I really enjoyed the concept, both the perspective of a new mom wishing to escape and cloWhile the actual story is a bit plodding for the first half, I really enjoyed the concept, both the perspective of a new mom wishing to escape and cloning murder victims. The near-future technology was fun, too. As Yun commented, I was especially intrigued by the idea of being a clone. How much of my original self remains, personality wise. Am I that person or someone else entirely?...more
A great book to challenge my brain into new paradigms. First, by having the main character a non-binary individual who uses the "they" suite of pronouA great book to challenge my brain into new paradigms. First, by having the main character a non-binary individual who uses the "they" suite of pronouns and "Sibling" instead of brother or sister. Woot for representation! Second, by having Dex be a monk who drinks, lusts; curses - loudly and often; and has sex, while also offering healing tea and conversation; which, to my 51 year-old self, is the furthest from a monk but a therapist instead? I loved the descriptions of places returned to wildness, and especially the tea wagon, how beautifully painted and efficient the various future-leaning solar panels and grey water collection was to envision. While I initially enjoyed the introduction of Mosscap, the robot and Sibling Dex are too similar in language and demeanor, so instead of two individuals, it read as two halves of the same person in conversation with themself. I must also speak to the amazing nature of the title and cover. Y E S !...more
Was initially unsure about this near-future tale of a woman who wakes up as her clone, as the first twenty or-so pages felt a little clunky. It reallyWas initially unsure about this near-future tale of a woman who wakes up as her clone, as the first twenty or-so pages felt a little clunky. It really took off after that with a little thriller vibe as Con tries to piece together the death of her Original. Lots of creative twists, and though I figured out the person behind the madness early on, I enjoyed seeing it all come together....more
I loved the idea of this story, a mystery wrapped in time travel during a pandemic! While the execution and resolution worked fine for me, I found mucI loved the idea of this story, a mystery wrapped in time travel during a pandemic! While the execution and resolution worked fine for me, I found much of it, and Olive Llewellyn's section in particular, while fascinating (pandemics, conquerors and their disease spreading) and thought provoking (good grief, the inappropriate interview questions), mostly irrelevant to the story....more
After learning The Book of Phoenix began as a short story, my sense that it was padded for word count really made sense. It has a gripping start, withAfter learning The Book of Phoenix began as a short story, my sense that it was padded for word count really made sense. It has a gripping start, with fast action and great world building. Then it succumbs to over explanation of simple concepts, the easy binary of good/evil, and investment into very minor characters, in between descriptive feasts. I did love the illustrations, the deep connection to the physical elements and Earth, and naming characters after significant cultural figures, but it really doesn't make up for the fact that the story was 150 pages too long....more
Shelved this years ago, so to have a book about a pandemic come up during a pandemic was a little eerie. Found the end of civilization due to a pandemShelved this years ago, so to have a book about a pandemic come up during a pandemic was a little eerie. Found the end of civilization due to a pandemic a bit implausible, but rolled with it. Though Arthur was the glue tying these individuals together, felt the majority of the passages focusing on him were superfluous and a bit tedious....more
Easy afternoon read, but only as in quick and short. Difficult read for its ugliness and poor grammar. The future that is now, attached to the web 24/Easy afternoon read, but only as in quick and short. Difficult read for its ugliness and poor grammar. The future that is now, attached to the web 24/7: poor people have no rights; targeted advertising and buy, buy, buy; reject those who are different; hurt the ones you love; numb out with drugs and shopping. The world is bleak and depressing, and we are only making it worse....more
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