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The Shapeshifter Chronicles
Shapeshifters. Beings with the ability to change their physical form or manifestation. From legendary humans who transform under the light of a full moon, to the horrific mimicry of The Thing, to the mimetic metal of a T-1000 Terminator, such embody the mystery of the unknown.
In this volume of the acclaimed Future Chronicles anthology series, eleven authors weave stories around such entities - both fantastical and technological - exploring our fascination with the shapeshifter.
The Shapeshifter Chronicles features stories by Hugo and Nebula Award winner Ken Liu, Aurora Award winner Julie E. Czerneda, USA Today bestselling authors Anthea Sharp and Alexia Purdy, plus seven more of today's most visionary authors in fantasy and speculative fiction.
In this volume of the acclaimed Future Chronicles anthology series, eleven authors weave stories around such entities - both fantastical and technological - exploring our fascination with the shapeshifter.
The Shapeshifter Chronicles features stories by Hugo and Nebula Award winner Ken Liu, Aurora Award winner Julie E. Czerneda, USA Today bestselling authors Anthea Sharp and Alexia Purdy, plus seven more of today's most visionary authors in fantasy and speculative fiction.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2016
41 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Peralta
70 books104 followersSamuel Peralta is a physicist and storyteller. He is most well-known in publishing as a poet, short story writer, and creator of the "Future Chronicles" anthologies, with over 20 bestselling titles to date.
Peralta's writing has been spotlighted in Best American Poetry, selected for Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy, and has won multiple awards, including from the UK Poetry Society and the Palanca Memorial Foundation.
He is a supporter and producer of independent films, one of which was nominated for a Golden Globe and another garnering an Emmy Award.
Peralta is the founder of the Lunar Codex, launching the works of 30,000 writers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers from over 155 countries, to the Moon.
Peralta's writing has been spotlighted in Best American Poetry, selected for Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy, and has won multiple awards, including from the UK Poetry Society and the Palanca Memorial Foundation.
He is a supporter and producer of independent films, one of which was nominated for a Golden Globe and another garnering an Emmy Award.
Peralta is the founder of the Lunar Codex, launching the works of 30,000 writers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers from over 155 countries, to the Moon.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 17, 2017
This is a very diverse collection, running the sf/f gamut from space opera to fairy tales. The quality is diverse as well. My favorites are: "Rock, Paper, Scissors" (cyberpunk/alien visitors), "The Night of the Hunted" (Lovecraftian-ish horror), "With Hair of Teeth and Claw" (a fairy-tale re-imagining), and "Good Hunting" (a steampunk story set in China). Each of these stories are excellent in their own way, and each belongs in a separate genre. That alone makes this a fascinating anthology.
The rest of the stories range from decent to poor. Some are side-stories to larger works, and while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, in some cases they're not really even stories--or (I guess) they only make sense if you're already familiar with the author's other work. "Baba Yaga and the Quantum Universe Theory of Shapeshifting" is one of these, and is essentially incoherent.
Some stories stretch the shapeshifter premise a little thin and feel as though the element was written in only to meet the anthology's prerequisites. "Jeb and Aces" is the most obvious, I think. Ace's shapeshifting is a glitch that renders him inoperable for periods of time--it could have been anything. The ability to turn into animals is never relevant to the plot.
But all in all, the collection is well worth the read. It's a nice sample platter of different genres.
The rest of the stories range from decent to poor. Some are side-stories to larger works, and while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, in some cases they're not really even stories--or (I guess) they only make sense if you're already familiar with the author's other work. "Baba Yaga and the Quantum Universe Theory of Shapeshifting" is one of these, and is essentially incoherent.
Some stories stretch the shapeshifter premise a little thin and feel as though the element was written in only to meet the anthology's prerequisites. "Jeb and Aces" is the most obvious, I think. Ace's shapeshifting is a glitch that renders him inoperable for periods of time--it could have been anything. The ability to turn into animals is never relevant to the plot.
But all in all, the collection is well worth the read. It's a nice sample platter of different genres.
August 2, 2016
Another interesting addition to the Future Chronicles, with shapeshifters that you wouldn't expect.
All the stories are of a high quality, though some held my interest more than others.
My two favourites were Jeb and Aces by Alexia Purdy Night of the Hunted by Stefan Bolz as they both had me enthralled.
All the stories are of a high quality, though some held my interest more than others.
My two favourites were Jeb and Aces by Alexia Purdy Night of the Hunted by Stefan Bolz as they both had me enthralled.
December 22, 2023
Anthologies so rarely work for me, but I got this one for one story: Good Hunting, by Ken Liu. There's an anthology animated show called Love Death + Robots, and they animate various short scifi/horror/fantasy stories. Good Hunting was beautifully animated and is in most viewers' top three favorite episodes.
Sometimes stories LD+R do are quite different than the text story an episode is based on, but in the case of Good Hunting, it was the same beat for beat. A steampunk-ish story set in ancient China, a demon hunter's son ends up befriending a fox demon's daughter. The world is changing though, the British government is stomping its way across China and building a railroad which ends up destroying the nation's magic. The two of them have to survive (on their own, though at the end of the story meet again).
Like most anthologies in my experience, this one had good stories first, second, and last (Good Hunting was last). I tried reading all the middle ones, but DNFed them anywhere from a few pages in to halfway through.
My biggest issue was calling these "shapeshifter" stories. The majority of them really don't fit that description even if you squint hard.
Sometimes stories LD+R do are quite different than the text story an episode is based on, but in the case of Good Hunting, it was the same beat for beat. A steampunk-ish story set in ancient China, a demon hunter's son ends up befriending a fox demon's daughter. The world is changing though, the British government is stomping its way across China and building a railroad which ends up destroying the nation's magic. The two of them have to survive (on their own, though at the end of the story meet again).
Like most anthologies in my experience, this one had good stories first, second, and last (Good Hunting was last). I tried reading all the middle ones, but DNFed them anywhere from a few pages in to halfway through.
My biggest issue was calling these "shapeshifter" stories. The majority of them really don't fit that description even if you squint hard.
March 21, 2017
This is the first book of the "future chronicles" that I have read. I picked a few books to read while traveling from Nebraska to Sedona AZ, and this was one of them, I thought that a book of short stories would be handy since I'd be busy doing other things.
I was absolutely delighted that the writers actually wrote from perspectives that were not expected at all. I don't generally have an expectation of books beyond what I read in the reviews, however, I don't often bother with reviews when it comes to anthologies that are titled with an indicator. Since this book was about stories of shapeshifters, my mind thought werewolf, bat, etc. I'm pleased to announce that these are not your creature-feature shapeshifter stories, these stories are meta-stories, they are above the common stories, they are unexpected and quite welcome.
I might have to move more "future chronicles" from my TBR pile in the cloud to my kindle for the trip back home.
I was absolutely delighted that the writers actually wrote from perspectives that were not expected at all. I don't generally have an expectation of books beyond what I read in the reviews, however, I don't often bother with reviews when it comes to anthologies that are titled with an indicator. Since this book was about stories of shapeshifters, my mind thought werewolf, bat, etc. I'm pleased to announce that these are not your creature-feature shapeshifter stories, these stories are meta-stories, they are above the common stories, they are unexpected and quite welcome.
I might have to move more "future chronicles" from my TBR pile in the cloud to my kindle for the trip back home.
March 30, 2019
I have to say that this is not my favorite of the Future Chronicles that I've read so far. Of the eleven stories in this collection, I enjoyed five of them and found the rest mediocre. That's a low percentage for a Chronicles book. But everyone likes different things, so by all means, read it for yourself. Those five stories are great, I think, and well worth the purchase of the book. My particular favorites are the tales by Anthea Sharp, Thomas Robins, Christopher Boore, Kim Wells, and Ken Liu.
That's my opinion, of course -experiences may vary.
That's my opinion, of course -experiences may vary.
May 18, 2019
Superb Shapeshifting stories
The Shapeshifter Chronicles is another great example of the fantastic anthologies put together by Samuel Peralta. The range of styles and stories kept me reading. There are some fantastic stories in here, do yourself a favour and check it out.
The Shapeshifter Chronicles is another great example of the fantastic anthologies put together by Samuel Peralta. The range of styles and stories kept me reading. There are some fantastic stories in here, do yourself a favour and check it out.
July 11, 2017
Short stories are always intriguing. Some of these were strange but all entertained. I especially liked the retelling of Rapunzel.
September 2, 2017
I loved this Chronicle of science fiction. I like Science Fiction books and stories, especially several stories. These are interesting views of the future.
March 26, 2019
Good selection of stories.
Overall, this was a good collection with only a few clunkers. But what I didn't care for may be someone else's favorite.
Overall, this was a good collection with only a few clunkers. But what I didn't care for may be someone else's favorite.
July 31, 2016
A dark multifaceted collection of Shapeshifter stories that include mermaids and robots, gorillas purposely created for violence, post-apoplectic robots with glitches. All with very serious under tones. From learning you are something different and having your entire life snatched from you by being attacked or by being given drugs. I loved the varied short stories, each one different from the next but with the same result, wonderful to read. I wanted more, which is a good thing.
Each one unique especially the story by Alexia Purdy Jeb and Aces which had a twist that keeps you going until the very end. Alexia Purdy takes us on a futuristic journey, apoplectic earth. Manning a space station with a crew in hyperspace is no easy task, This creative short story adds a unique twist that is entertaining as well as sad. Great story. This is just a taste of what you will find inside.
Each one unique especially the story by Alexia Purdy Jeb and Aces which had a twist that keeps you going until the very end. Alexia Purdy takes us on a futuristic journey, apoplectic earth. Manning a space station with a crew in hyperspace is no easy task, This creative short story adds a unique twist that is entertaining as well as sad. Great story. This is just a taste of what you will find inside.
August 1, 2016
Not your typical shapeshifter story.I really enjoyed this anthology.The standouts for me are Wendy Hammers Rock,Paper,scissors which shows how much one is willing utto suffer for love.Thomas Robins Of Bats and Atomic Bombs had me immersed in the story till the very last word.I will definitely be reading more of this authors work.Alexia Purdy’s Jeb & Aces The Mechanical Plagues is an intriguing story of mankinds future and what it means to be human.K.J. Colt’s Not Quite Her was unique and had quite interesting characters.I'm a huge fan of the Future Chronicles anthologies and am always entertained.And I find that my view of the world is changed due to the authors insight and creativity.I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review
August 4, 2016
This is a awesome Chronicle to add to your Future Chronicle shelf or to start your shelf, with 11 great authors to try and love. Each of the stories are stand alone wonderful, but Stefan Bolz, story of Ellie a patient in a asylum, will have you on the edge of your seat all the way to the end. Kim Wells always writes wonderful stories, and this one is no different, tied to the old Baba Yaga story, it is not to be missed. However, all the stories are great but the one that totally has me thinking twice, before I walk into work each day is Christopher Boore's. I am the IT department at work and my responsibilities include ALL of the automated systems, environmental, security, server management, computers, everything, so before I give away anything good just read the story you will see.
August 9, 2016
WOW! This was a great introduction into the world of shape shifting for me. I have to admit up front that this is not a normal read for me, totally out of my genre. HOWEVER, I enjoyed these short stories, each one different and intriguing on their own. Many of which I would have liked to have more. All of them were enjoyable. It’s interesting to think how life would be if shapeshifters lived with and among us, human or not, or if we were a sort of one ourselves. This was an opportunity for imagination to take hold, if there ever was one. Even though I liked all of them, I secretly have my favorite authors Wendy Hammer, Christopher Boore, Charity Tahmaseb, and Ken Liu. What fascination this book brings! Thank you for sharing your craft with the world.
August 10, 2016
Everything you never knew you needed in a book!
I really thought, "ho hum...werewolves, Shapeshifter bears and dragons", not that there's anything wrong with that, but...well...been there, read that.
OMG am I thrilled to report how wrong I was! From the first story about a shape shifting loving wife and mother, well, she's an alien, but a loving one. Then the brilliant Anthea Sharp slaps me upside the cranium with a shape shifting mermaid...I love mermaids! On and on, until I felt like I'd eaten an entire tub of Ben and Jerry's!!
Well written stories, all very realistic characters, some old friends - like Rapunzel - each a satisfying dish combined to satisfy my cravings, cravings I didn't even know I had!
I really thought, "ho hum...werewolves, Shapeshifter bears and dragons", not that there's anything wrong with that, but...well...been there, read that.
OMG am I thrilled to report how wrong I was! From the first story about a shape shifting loving wife and mother, well, she's an alien, but a loving one. Then the brilliant Anthea Sharp slaps me upside the cranium with a shape shifting mermaid...I love mermaids! On and on, until I felt like I'd eaten an entire tub of Ben and Jerry's!!
Well written stories, all very realistic characters, some old friends - like Rapunzel - each a satisfying dish combined to satisfy my cravings, cravings I didn't even know I had!
August 3, 2016
Grab some topnotch speculative fiction authors (authors that don't normally write urban fantasy) and see where that takes you in this new collection edited by Samuel Peralta. What you get is all kinds of shifters and a really interesting read! From a faerie tale, to mythic Chinese steampunk, to an AI with a glitch, and everything in between. And wherever this book takes you, you will not want to miss one story...
August 6, 2016
Brilliant storytelling, great editing
This collection of stories ranges from the 'what ifs' to 'what now' and takes all sorts of strange turns. Another great collection from Samuel Peralta. Let your imagination run wild because the possibilities are endlessly entertaining here. Thoroughly enjoyable!
This collection of stories ranges from the 'what ifs' to 'what now' and takes all sorts of strange turns. Another great collection from Samuel Peralta. Let your imagination run wild because the possibilities are endlessly entertaining here. Thoroughly enjoyable!
September 16, 2016
Another great Future Chronicles release!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews