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Wild Cards #27.2
How to Move Spheres and Influence People
For over 25 years, the Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. An outcast learns how fit in at her school and much more in Marko Kloos's short story "How to Move Spheres and Influence People."
T. K. hates a lot of things, but at the moment, it's how she becomes the #1 target during dodgeball at gym. Everything changes, however, when she discovers that she has the ace ability to direct spherical objects — and she makes her classmates pay! But her powers are made for more than petty revenge, as she soon discovers while on a family vacation.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
T. K. hates a lot of things, but at the moment, it's how she becomes the #1 target during dodgeball at gym. Everything changes, however, when she discovers that she has the ace ability to direct spherical objects — and she makes her classmates pay! But her powers are made for more than petty revenge, as she soon discovers while on a family vacation.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2019
43 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 15, 2021
It’s like looking at the curve of the sphere throws a switch in her mind, one that wasn’t there before. It’s not as strong as it was the first time around, but when she feels the curvature of the ball with whatever new sense her brain has flipped on with that switch, that feeling of deep satisfaction comes back, and she knows that it wasn’t a momentary thing. It feels like she’s holding that sphere in the palm of an invisible hand, one that’s much more strong and limber and precise than her own.
T.K. laughs with relief. Then she picks up the ball with her mind and flicks it halfway across the court to the basketball rim on the far end. The ball hits the rim and bounces off. Before it can hit the gym floor, she picks it up again without effort, raises it slowly, and dumps it straight through the hoop.
“Holy shit,” she says and laughs again.
She has superpowers. She’s a damn ace.
another day, another wild cards notch on my belt.
this one is fine—it's your basic cookie-cutter superhero origin story: character discovers powers, uses powers for self-interest, uses powers for good, becomes overnight celebrity.
fifteen-year-old lintilla, who prefers to be called tk for obvious reasons, is a rich girl with a paralyzed arm and the preferred dodgeball-target of her school's mean girls coterie until she discovers she can use her mind to shift the oncoming ball away from smashing into her, which is an excellent superpower to have if people are always throwing balls at your face.
experimenting with her powers, she soon learns that she can control any spherical object: basketballs, marbles, ball bearings, bbs, lots of bbs at once, but in doing so, she causes a lot of property damage and realizes that what appeared, at first, to be a fun party trick could also be a dangerous weapon if she loses control.
tk is amazed by her own power and a little horrified by its destructive potential, but not too horrified to take advantage of it for some sweet dodgeball payback.
after this fun, frivolous introduction, the stakes are raised and the story plays out in the same general shape as the other ya-feeling WC story i read, The Thing about Growing Up in Jokertown: young girl uses her powers to stop a criminal and suddenly she's the center of attention.
unlike Jokertown, which was a feelgood story through and through, this one touches on the less-positive repercussions of the powered lifestyle—tk is interrogated by the authorities, subjected to invasive media attention, deemed a distraction and a danger by her school, and all of the suspicion and scrutiny lands her right back to being an outsider freak again, only now it's for her power rather than her disability.
She skipped right from disabled to too-abled, without getting to spend any time in between at just abled.
but then she meets someone offering her an opportunity to use her powers towards the greater good, opening the door to a future she'd never imagined (which eventuality may or may not be covered in other wild card stories—i'm still new to the WCverse, so i've no idea).
in any event, she's still a teen, so while she embraces her destiny by locking down her new superhero name , she's entitled to a few more years of goofing off and flinging tennis balls around with her mind before she's gotta become a working hero.
a lot of superhero stories use the isolating nature of powers as metaphors exploring the experience of otherness; sexual identity &yadda, but i love how this particular transformation reads more like a judy blume-inspired story about menses:
“So you basically suck for not telling me about this earlier,” Ellie says over the phone. Ellie has been T.K.’s best friend since kindergarten—their families have been friends since T.K. and Ellie were toddlers—and Ellie is one of the few callers who makes it through the mom-and-dad screening vanguard today.
“I didn’t know until, like, two months ago, I swear,” T.K. says.
“You found out at school?”
“Yeah. In the middle of gym class.”
T.K. gives Ellie the condensed version of the week her card turned, leaving out the part where she accidentally found out that she’s basically a walking weapon of mass destruction now.
and we are, ladies. make no mistake.
read it for yourself here:
https://www.tor.com/2019/03/27/how-to...
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July 2, 2019
This is a charming Tor.com short story set in the "Wild Cards" universe.* T.K. attends a privileged high school and feels like an outsider in the social scene. This shows up the most in her PE class, where a couple of mean girls deliberately target her during the weekly dodgeball games, perhaps partly because T.K. has one disabled arm.
T.K.'s frustration at being targeted leads to a sudden discovery of an interesting "ace" superpower: she can control any spherical object with her mind. (T.K. = telekinesis, hah) This new skill proves to be quite useful in getting revenge against catty girls in dodgeball games ... but should T.K. be doing more with it?
Some nice insights into high school social scenes as well as the fallout from becoming a newsworthy story and having superpowers that can be used as a weapon.
Free online here at Tor.com.
*A virus has spread worldwide, killing some, giving others useless and often grotesque mutations (jokers), disfiguring others but giving them useful superpowers. A very few lucky people get mutations that don't disfigure them at all, along with superpowers that are really useful (aces).
T.K.'s frustration at being targeted leads to a sudden discovery of an interesting "ace" superpower: she can control any spherical object with her mind. (T.K. = telekinesis, hah) This new skill proves to be quite useful in getting revenge against catty girls in dodgeball games ... but should T.K. be doing more with it?
Some nice insights into high school social scenes as well as the fallout from becoming a newsworthy story and having superpowers that can be used as a weapon.
Free online here at Tor.com.
*A virus has spread worldwide, killing some, giving others useless and often grotesque mutations (jokers), disfiguring others but giving them useful superpowers. A very few lucky people get mutations that don't disfigure them at all, along with superpowers that are really useful (aces).
September 28, 2020
“How to Move Spheres and Influence People” by Marko Kloos. I detest George RR Martin and as a result, tend to steer clear of his Wild Card series, even the stories not written by him.
I’m glad I read this one, as I really enjoyed it. Like 5 stars enjoyed it. Quick, enjoyable read. Highly recommended. Wish I had that power, it sounds amazing!
I’m glad I read this one, as I really enjoyed it. Like 5 stars enjoyed it. Quick, enjoyable read. Highly recommended. Wish I had that power, it sounds amazing!
October 7, 2019
I normally dislike stories from the Wild Cards universe, but this one - a superhero origin story - is pretty nice. Or maybe also because of the author.
Can be read here: https://www.tor.com/2019/03/27/how-to...
Can be read here: https://www.tor.com/2019/03/27/how-to...
April 28, 2019
A new entry in GRRM’s Wildcards universe, this novelette tells the origin story of T.K., a teenager will partial left-side paralysis who gets picked on at PE by the mean girls. Her “card turns” one day during class and she discovers she has the power to control spherical objects with her mind. Her squeamishness after engaging in a mild act of revenge convinces her she’s better off just using her powers for good. That opens its own can of worms once the opportunity presents itself. Kloos built his reputation on military SF, but here he shows that his skillful plotting and ability to craft believable, relatable protagonists crosses over to other genres. The not-so-subtle ways T.K.’s tormentors bully her without running afoul of school authorities is effectively done. Context clues abound, so readers new to the Wildcards premise shouldn’t have any trouble getting the gist.
March 28, 2021
These Wild Cards Short stories are very addictive reading and every time I look at Tor.com I discover that there are more free to read (as long as you do not mind reading them off a browser rather than as an ebook).
I have to say that the various authors of these stories have certainly mastered the art of making the most of the short page run and yet not only give you a creative and fun read but also give colour and life to the world of the Wild Cards.
These stories are a great introduction to the world however I would raise a word of caution as some are clearly standalone while a few refer to events from the main books and even use characters you will see develop among those pages.
I have to say that the various authors of these stories have certainly mastered the art of making the most of the short page run and yet not only give you a creative and fun read but also give colour and life to the world of the Wild Cards.
These stories are a great introduction to the world however I would raise a word of caution as some are clearly standalone while a few refer to events from the main books and even use characters you will see develop among those pages.
July 29, 2019
This was a solid piece of writing, though I felt that because it was an origin story, the ending left the story hanging somewhat.
While it may help to have read other stories (to get a handle of what "ace" or "joker" meant, or to even understand how powers are acquired), this still wasn't a bad place to start.
While it may help to have read other stories (to get a handle of what "ace" or "joker" meant, or to even understand how powers are acquired), this still wasn't a bad place to start.
March 30, 2019
Oh, how I loved Wild Cards when I was younger. This was a lovely dose of nostalgia, and I love the character's initials, a nice touch—I wonder if they ever included a queer character in the series? I got about six or seven books into the series originally...
January 20, 2025
T.K. seems to be an obvious victim in school life. Mildly picked on, since in high society, even bullies are genteel, she soon finds she has the power to control spherical objects. But when she intervenes to save lives in public and her powers go global, how will people react?
Kloos captures the right mixture of fear and envy in this short story. What is incredible is that we are encouraged to want her to return to her former life, even though she hated it.
Kloos captures the right mixture of fear and envy in this short story. What is incredible is that we are encouraged to want her to return to her former life, even though she hated it.
May 13, 2019
A new Wild Cards ace.
A 15yo New England prep school girl named T.K. unlocks the ability to move spherical objects with her mind. Her plans to keep a low profile are quashed when she's forced to stop a terrorist from driving a truck through a crowd of innocent shoppers. Now she's spectacularly famous, besieged by the press, and kicked out of school for being "dangerous".
This is a minor, workmanlike power fantasy of an origin story that avoids melodrama. It focuses instead on the way an adolescent experiences a gift, a trauma, and a massive, unexpected life change. Its relative simplicity is an asset. I liked it.
(Incidental note: I was 80% of the way through the story before the significance of her name finally clicked. "Oh, T.K. I get it!")
A 15yo New England prep school girl named T.K. unlocks the ability to move spherical objects with her mind. Her plans to keep a low profile are quashed when she's forced to stop a terrorist from driving a truck through a crowd of innocent shoppers. Now she's spectacularly famous, besieged by the press, and kicked out of school for being "dangerous".
This is a minor, workmanlike power fantasy of an origin story that avoids melodrama. It focuses instead on the way an adolescent experiences a gift, a trauma, and a massive, unexpected life change. Its relative simplicity is an asset. I liked it.
(Incidental note: I was 80% of the way through the story before the significance of her name finally clicked. "Oh, T.K. I get it!")
March 30, 2020
Great change of pace for Koloa
Mr Kloos shows in the short story that he can do superhero fiction just as well as he can do his science fiction novels. Great character development, as well as a very entertaining short story, makes me wish he was able to do a full novel on this character.
Mr Kloos shows in the short story that he can do superhero fiction just as well as he can do his science fiction novels. Great character development, as well as a very entertaining short story, makes me wish he was able to do a full novel on this character.
March 31, 2019
*3.5 stars
Despite not knowing anything about the Wild Cards universe I found this short story easy to follow and fun to read.
T.K. is a highschooler who discovers she's an Ace - someone with superhuman abilities. Her ability is related to moving spherical objects. If that sounds like it wouldn't be super useful, you don't have as much imagination as T.K., who goes from playing with basketballs to ball bearings, increasing in strength and accuracy extremely quickly. She doesn't have any plans to use her powers or to let people know about them, until terrorist attack by a "joker" forces her to act fast in order to save lives. The fallout makes it clear that things can no longer be the same for T.K. now that she's been outed to the world.
I read it here: https://www.tor.com/2019/03/27/how-to...
Despite not knowing anything about the Wild Cards universe I found this short story easy to follow and fun to read.
T.K. is a highschooler who discovers she's an Ace - someone with superhuman abilities. Her ability is related to moving spherical objects. If that sounds like it wouldn't be super useful, you don't have as much imagination as T.K., who goes from playing with basketballs to ball bearings, increasing in strength and accuracy extremely quickly. She doesn't have any plans to use her powers or to let people know about them, until terrorist attack by a "joker" forces her to act fast in order to save lives. The fallout makes it clear that things can no longer be the same for T.K. now that she's been outed to the world.
I read it here: https://www.tor.com/2019/03/27/how-to...
May 27, 2024
Kloos is playing slightly more into the superhero genre with this particular Wild Cards novelette than most others have. In fact, it's a superhero origin story, a tale of a partially handicapped girl at school who suddenly finds herself with telekinetic powers. The first part is very much in the usual mould for such things, and even the character's name, T.K., is a nod to the often appropriate-sounding names for minor superpowered characters in some comics. However, T.K. is very much a reluctant superhero, a well-drawn and plausible character who really just wants to go to school and get on with her regular life - not even balancing it, in the way that, say, Spiderman does.
Obviously, things don't stay that way and the latter section deals with the consequences of some of her actions and of how the world treats people with powers. The result is one of the stronger novelettes in this particular run, with a down-to-earth feel and a relatable hero - that her powers don't remove her handicap is another touch that you probably wouldn't find in a superhero comic.
Obviously, things don't stay that way and the latter section deals with the consequences of some of her actions and of how the world treats people with powers. The result is one of the stronger novelettes in this particular run, with a down-to-earth feel and a relatable hero - that her powers don't remove her handicap is another touch that you probably wouldn't find in a superhero comic.
September 19, 2020
Another brief jaunt into the Wild Cards Universe
I read the original Wild Cards book way back in the 1980’s and fell in love with the universe and the many talented writers that contributed to it. We are onto a new generation of writers creating new characters, some reimagining old ones and generally adding depths to this wonderful world. This is a short story of discovery and fun. Enjoy
I read the original Wild Cards book way back in the 1980’s and fell in love with the universe and the many talented writers that contributed to it. We are onto a new generation of writers creating new characters, some reimagining old ones and generally adding depths to this wonderful world. This is a short story of discovery and fun. Enjoy
September 21, 2020
Loved it. I have not read any of the Wild Cards stories before but it kind of reminds of the origin story of Kitty Pryde from X-men. For a story featuring the awakening of super-powers in a teenage girl it is remarkably low-key and spandex-free which makes it all the more effectful when it gets in full swing. Recommended! Looking forward to reading some of the other Wild Cards stories.
September 3, 2021
Another really good story
Enjoying immensely the Wild Card stories, although this one felt like a few introductory chapters for a much longer novel. I hope Mr Looks returns to this tale and does either an extension or a sequel. What better recommendation can there be than wanting more?
Enjoying immensely the Wild Card stories, although this one felt like a few introductory chapters for a much longer novel. I hope Mr Looks returns to this tale and does either an extension or a sequel. What better recommendation can there be than wanting more?
April 23, 2019
I was an early reader of the Wildcards anthologies assembled by GRRM. But I haven't really followed all of the installments.
This story was pretty faithful to those early books. An inventive power that has limitations and an interesting "Ace" as a character.
This story was pretty faithful to those early books. An inventive power that has limitations and an interesting "Ace" as a character.
March 28, 2019
Very good. Read it at Tor.com: https://www.tor.com/2019/03/27/how-to...
March 31, 2019
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
June 15, 2019
Read this!
I really enjoyed this story. I want to read the further adventures. High school and dealing with powers. I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this story. I want to read the further adventures. High school and dealing with powers. I highly recommend this book.
March 18, 2020
Nice shortie
An enthralling short story with a twist. Could be a longer story with more adventures for TK and company. Enjoyable.
An enthralling short story with a twist. Could be a longer story with more adventures for TK and company. Enjoyable.
May 4, 2020
Great story and interesting power
July 17, 2025
My first read into wildcards; albeit a short one indeed. The MCs perspectives and inner narrations are described well, and it was quite so interesting to see her perception of her ability.
April 19, 2020
How to Move Spheres...is a charming short story that is equal parts super-hero fantasy and YA coming-of-age. It is the story of a young woman from a well-to-do family and how she discovers she is an Ace and, more importantly, how she will have to live with the consequences of that discovery.
Wild Card stories have been around for decades; I had lost track of the series to such an extent that I didn't know new stories were being published. I picked this one up because I like the author (Marko Kloos) other novels and stories and I'm very glad I did so. For myself, this was a needed push to dive back into the world of Jokers, Aces, and Deuces. Recommended.
Wild Card stories have been around for decades; I had lost track of the series to such an extent that I didn't know new stories were being published. I picked this one up because I like the author (Marko Kloos) other novels and stories and I'm very glad I did so. For myself, this was a needed push to dive back into the world of Jokers, Aces, and Deuces. Recommended.
August 2, 2022
How to Move Spheres and Influence People: A Tor.com Original (ebook)
by Marko Kloos
Marko Kloos does a great job introducing a new character into the Wild Cards Consortium. Marko uses a childhood memory and game to cause the switch. It's a common series of childhood memories, Dodgeball is a common American nostalgia game, the 1970-80's kids remember it fondly and mixed results. The main character finding her nemesis using the rules of the game to hurt and attack her was a common occurrence. In many ways it makes the character more enduring to the Dodge ball nostalgia. Using the idea of stress causing the card to turn. The new power of moving Spheres is a notable concept of the Wild Card ability. Although this is a brief introduction, it's an exciting addition to the series.
by Marko Kloos
Marko Kloos does a great job introducing a new character into the Wild Cards Consortium. Marko uses a childhood memory and game to cause the switch. It's a common series of childhood memories, Dodgeball is a common American nostalgia game, the 1970-80's kids remember it fondly and mixed results. The main character finding her nemesis using the rules of the game to hurt and attack her was a common occurrence. In many ways it makes the character more enduring to the Dodge ball nostalgia. Using the idea of stress causing the card to turn. The new power of moving Spheres is a notable concept of the Wild Card ability. Although this is a brief introduction, it's an exciting addition to the series.
October 31, 2024
[How to Move Spheres and Influence People](https://www.tor.com/2019/03/27/how-to...) by *Marko Kloos* is a superhero origin story, I guess. It's about a teenager who discovers that she can move any spherical object with her mind. Very slice-of-life, not really going anywhere.
May 15, 2019
T.K.'s left arm is useless but this doesn't prevent her from doing many things in the her classes at the prestigious Mapletree Academy. It's while playing dodgeball that her Wild Card turns - not dramatically, but in ways the young ace could never have imagined. Ways that will have international consequences on this amazing sphere we call Earth.
October 1, 2024
I have never read any of the Wild Card stories before but I gave this free short story a try on TOR.com. It is an OK story about a young girl who discovers she can move spherical shapes with her mind.
September 23, 2024
A nice coming-of-age story! I'd like to read more in this world.
September 19, 2019
I love the WC universe and this young, disabled protagonist was refreshing. Would definitely read more of T.K.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews