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Tales for Future Mornings
On a cold winter’s night three friends, Birdie, Tizel, and George, struggle to stay alive with a half-quart bottle of gin and a story. What enfolds is the narrative of a world not unlike our own, one in which people value beauty as the highest measure of success. To heighten the stakes, a superficial disease has distorted parts of the population, deforming the human figure into something too unsightly for the public eye. An uprising is sure to occur, but at whose hand? Surrounding this are a number of moving parts—a family at odds with the past, two women in love, and a group of friends struggling through transgressions. Birdie weaves a captivating tale, but is it enough to keep them alive until daybreak?
278 pages, Paperback
Published March 8, 2022
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
K.D. Rye
7 books22 followersKD Rye spent her youth day dreaming and reading comic books. She holds a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, a Juris Doctorate, and a Masters in Business Administration. She enjoys conversations via bar top and playing rugby. If you meet her in person she will probably challenge you to an arm wrestling match...and you will probably lose.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 25, 2022
Beauty.
Speculative fiction isn't a genre I usually go for but I decided to give it a shot anyway because KD Rye's writing isn't entirely new to me. I've read and loved a previous novel, Women In Gray, which was fascinating by the way, if you're up for something dark.
Or check this book out instead. It's different and not dark like Women in Gray. The main story is being told as part of a storytelling session among friends and it's set in an alternate universe where beauty is measured as the main form of success in a dichotomous society. We have a group of people with a particular form of skin disease that is perceived to destroy physical beauty and we have the rest of the population unblemished. The world building isn't too elaborate, set in a garment factory, but the meaning behind the story is thought-provoking. The universe isn't real, but it mirrors ours and the principle is the same - the majority defines the rules of normalcy. Now replace the word "beauty" with any other identity marker in our society and you'll find that the attitudes, conversations and prejudices in that world aren't all that unfamiliar after all, and the simpliest solution any society can have is to learn to embrace diversity.
There is a really sweet romance in this book between two women as well, Cosette and Duvessa, that ties in nicely with the overarching theme. They are very different people - Cosette is reticient and strives to earn a living to survive and Duvessa is a woman who is far too perceptive and enlightened to be living in that world.
KD Rye is a brilliant writer who comes up with wildly fascinating stories. That's two stories now that I've read and love.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Speculative fiction isn't a genre I usually go for but I decided to give it a shot anyway because KD Rye's writing isn't entirely new to me. I've read and loved a previous novel, Women In Gray, which was fascinating by the way, if you're up for something dark.
Or check this book out instead. It's different and not dark like Women in Gray. The main story is being told as part of a storytelling session among friends and it's set in an alternate universe where beauty is measured as the main form of success in a dichotomous society. We have a group of people with a particular form of skin disease that is perceived to destroy physical beauty and we have the rest of the population unblemished. The world building isn't too elaborate, set in a garment factory, but the meaning behind the story is thought-provoking. The universe isn't real, but it mirrors ours and the principle is the same - the majority defines the rules of normalcy. Now replace the word "beauty" with any other identity marker in our society and you'll find that the attitudes, conversations and prejudices in that world aren't all that unfamiliar after all, and the simpliest solution any society can have is to learn to embrace diversity.
There is a really sweet romance in this book between two women as well, Cosette and Duvessa, that ties in nicely with the overarching theme. They are very different people - Cosette is reticient and strives to earn a living to survive and Duvessa is a woman who is far too perceptive and enlightened to be living in that world.
KD Rye is a brilliant writer who comes up with wildly fascinating stories. That's two stories now that I've read and love.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2022
I wanted to read something by this author since I've started following her review blog thelesbian52.com. The themes of her previous books didn't appeal to me until Tales for Future Mornings caught my attention.
On a cold winter night, three homeless friends, Birdie, Tizel, and George, need to stay awake to avoid freezing to death. They only have half a bottle of gin and a story to keep them entertained. Birdie tells a story about a world in which beauty is the most valued of virtues while a disease deforms part of the population making them too unsightly for the public eye. How such a society will try to overcome its irreconcilable differences? And will the tale be enough to let the three friends survive the freezing night?
This is a story within a story, and after a brief introduction to Birdie, Tizel, and George, most of the time the narrative is focused on Birdie's tale. The story is told from multiple points of view which sometimes change abruptly. It took me a bit of time to get used to this narrative in which there is as much tell as show. To be honest, it's not my cup of tea but the originality of the plot kept me turning pages.
The speculative fiction world the author creates has many parallels with the history of humankind. Personally, it made me reflect on society's reactions towards homosexuality, the condemnation, the confinement, the hiding, the self-loathing. However, it could also be replaced by the colour of the skin or any other form of segregation. The fact that a homeless woman is telling the story is not a coincidence either.
There is a bit of a wlw love story but it's not the main part of the plot and I wouldn't label this novel as a romance. There are no intimate scenes between the mains. Even though body self-image and intimacy are so relevant to the plot, I'm not sure it would have worked considering who's narrating the story and her audience. Maybe because of this, I found that the chemistry between the mains wasn't very strong. But again, the characters' relationship wasn't the main focus of the story.
If you like speculative fiction, you might want to give this one a try. It's definitely food for thought. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
On a cold winter night, three homeless friends, Birdie, Tizel, and George, need to stay awake to avoid freezing to death. They only have half a bottle of gin and a story to keep them entertained. Birdie tells a story about a world in which beauty is the most valued of virtues while a disease deforms part of the population making them too unsightly for the public eye. How such a society will try to overcome its irreconcilable differences? And will the tale be enough to let the three friends survive the freezing night?
This is a story within a story, and after a brief introduction to Birdie, Tizel, and George, most of the time the narrative is focused on Birdie's tale. The story is told from multiple points of view which sometimes change abruptly. It took me a bit of time to get used to this narrative in which there is as much tell as show. To be honest, it's not my cup of tea but the originality of the plot kept me turning pages.
The speculative fiction world the author creates has many parallels with the history of humankind. Personally, it made me reflect on society's reactions towards homosexuality, the condemnation, the confinement, the hiding, the self-loathing. However, it could also be replaced by the colour of the skin or any other form of segregation. The fact that a homeless woman is telling the story is not a coincidence either.
There is a bit of a wlw love story but it's not the main part of the plot and I wouldn't label this novel as a romance. There are no intimate scenes between the mains. Even though body self-image and intimacy are so relevant to the plot, I'm not sure it would have worked considering who's narrating the story and her audience. Maybe because of this, I found that the chemistry between the mains wasn't very strong. But again, the characters' relationship wasn't the main focus of the story.
If you like speculative fiction, you might want to give this one a try. It's definitely food for thought. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2022
· Tales For Future Mornings
· KD Rye
Birdie plans on making it through a brutal cold winter night. Snuggled up with her two homeless friends George and Tizel, she tells an engaging tale.
This is my first KD Rye book, and wow! The writing is amazing. You can feel yourself outside enduring the cold with the trio. The author knows how to pull you into the story. This is generally not a book, I would pick up to read, but I’m glad I did.
Cosettes story captivates you. The characters are so well written, I loved being able to learn back stories on most of them. I do not want to give away too much in this review.
“You are only ugly because they set the standards of beauty. It only takes one person, one set of eyes to see differently!” Duvessa My favorite quote.
This is a must read! The message behind the story, is so well done. I love that the author explored real life issues in a unique way. The book wrapped up beautifully.
Do not pass up this book. I will be checking out more of KD Rye books.
I was given this advanced copy by the author for an honest review. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a very thought-provoking book.
· KD Rye
Birdie plans on making it through a brutal cold winter night. Snuggled up with her two homeless friends George and Tizel, she tells an engaging tale.
This is my first KD Rye book, and wow! The writing is amazing. You can feel yourself outside enduring the cold with the trio. The author knows how to pull you into the story. This is generally not a book, I would pick up to read, but I’m glad I did.
Cosettes story captivates you. The characters are so well written, I loved being able to learn back stories on most of them. I do not want to give away too much in this review.
“You are only ugly because they set the standards of beauty. It only takes one person, one set of eyes to see differently!” Duvessa My favorite quote.
This is a must read! The message behind the story, is so well done. I love that the author explored real life issues in a unique way. The book wrapped up beautifully.
Do not pass up this book. I will be checking out more of KD Rye books.
I was given this advanced copy by the author for an honest review. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a very thought-provoking book.
August 10, 2022
Very intriguing!
Birdie shares a story about a world of people who are living with a disease that has affected some of the population which impacts the values the people hold about beauty, with Tizel and George as they try to make it through a cold winter’s night alive.
I loved this, it was so creative, intriguing and a very different approach to storytelling for this genre. Excited to learn about Birdie, Tizel and George, we got to know all about them from the reactions to the story Birdie shared, which was dystopian in ways but captivating and insightful. I adored the characters in Birdie’s story, each and every one of them and their views. It was reminiscent of a world we live in but called out the society differences we are less keen to admit to havening. That premise that beauty is held in the highest regard and associated with success was very surreal and leant well to those characters who challenged that and supported the people in the story, especially the two women who had fallen in love.
Hooked from the very beginning, Birdie was a fantastic narrator for this story and kept it exciting. You could understand how the friends needed the distraction to help them make it to morning and it was such a lovely way for them to connect. It was such a clever way to tell a story within a story, build empathy with a whole cast of characters, and share that not everything is glamourous but kindness can always be found, in anyone or any situation.
Really hoping KD Rye will do more stories like this, because I loved this one so much and want to know what other wonderful tales Birdie, Tizel, and George might share!
Birdie shares a story about a world of people who are living with a disease that has affected some of the population which impacts the values the people hold about beauty, with Tizel and George as they try to make it through a cold winter’s night alive.
I loved this, it was so creative, intriguing and a very different approach to storytelling for this genre. Excited to learn about Birdie, Tizel and George, we got to know all about them from the reactions to the story Birdie shared, which was dystopian in ways but captivating and insightful. I adored the characters in Birdie’s story, each and every one of them and their views. It was reminiscent of a world we live in but called out the society differences we are less keen to admit to havening. That premise that beauty is held in the highest regard and associated with success was very surreal and leant well to those characters who challenged that and supported the people in the story, especially the two women who had fallen in love.
Hooked from the very beginning, Birdie was a fantastic narrator for this story and kept it exciting. You could understand how the friends needed the distraction to help them make it to morning and it was such a lovely way for them to connect. It was such a clever way to tell a story within a story, build empathy with a whole cast of characters, and share that not everything is glamourous but kindness can always be found, in anyone or any situation.
Really hoping KD Rye will do more stories like this, because I loved this one so much and want to know what other wonderful tales Birdie, Tizel, and George might share!
March 22, 2022
unique story
This is a great story! On surface level, it’s about beauty and how that’s perceived in society, on a deeper level that idea can be applied to much more.
I like the way the story was told, 3 house-less people are trying to stay alive through a cold night. One tells this tale in hopes it will keep them awake until the sun breaks.
This is a great story! On surface level, it’s about beauty and how that’s perceived in society, on a deeper level that idea can be applied to much more.
I like the way the story was told, 3 house-less people are trying to stay alive through a cold night. One tells this tale in hopes it will keep them awake until the sun breaks.
March 2, 2022
I received an ARC for an honest review.
On a very cold night, three homeless people, an elderly man and a middle aged man and woman, must stay outside until the sun comes out. To take their minds off the cold the woman tells a long story based in a society where a large portion of the population has an inheritable disease, Odnava, that causes their skin to break out in blisters and boils, progressing until their faces are disfigured. Cossette leaves her father and home town to see the world and winds up in a bar with a trio of male co-workers and friends, one of whom offers her a job in a clothing factor as the button seamstress. It's there that she meets Duvessa, a daughter of the factor's owners, the Avando family. Soon, their friendship becomes romantic, but Cossette is unsure if Duvessa will commit to her long term and Duvessa is focused on joining a campaign to fight the oppression of those with the disease, the navas.
KD Rye does not write run-of-the-mill romances, which is a complement. Just like her previous novel, Women in Grey, Tales for Future Mornings takes on complex themes, exploring the definition of beauty, the role of fashion, and the oppression of the marginalized. There are shades of HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and especially leprosy here. Most of the book is devoted to Cossette's story with scenes of the storyteller and her companions (also marginalized) interspersed. There's a significant twist in the plot about 2/3 of the way through, with other twists that follow, setting us up for the ending. All in all, it's well plodded with interesting characters.
While I was completely engaged, I didn't feel the up close connection to the characters that I felt with Women in Gray and other 5 star books. I guess this one is 4.5 and I highly recommend it.
On a very cold night, three homeless people, an elderly man and a middle aged man and woman, must stay outside until the sun comes out. To take their minds off the cold the woman tells a long story based in a society where a large portion of the population has an inheritable disease, Odnava, that causes their skin to break out in blisters and boils, progressing until their faces are disfigured. Cossette leaves her father and home town to see the world and winds up in a bar with a trio of male co-workers and friends, one of whom offers her a job in a clothing factor as the button seamstress. It's there that she meets Duvessa, a daughter of the factor's owners, the Avando family. Soon, their friendship becomes romantic, but Cossette is unsure if Duvessa will commit to her long term and Duvessa is focused on joining a campaign to fight the oppression of those with the disease, the navas.
KD Rye does not write run-of-the-mill romances, which is a complement. Just like her previous novel, Women in Grey, Tales for Future Mornings takes on complex themes, exploring the definition of beauty, the role of fashion, and the oppression of the marginalized. There are shades of HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and especially leprosy here. Most of the book is devoted to Cossette's story with scenes of the storyteller and her companions (also marginalized) interspersed. There's a significant twist in the plot about 2/3 of the way through, with other twists that follow, setting us up for the ending. All in all, it's well plodded with interesting characters.
While I was completely engaged, I didn't feel the up close connection to the characters that I felt with Women in Gray and other 5 star books. I guess this one is 4.5 and I highly recommend it.
March 7, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in return for leaving an honest review.
The story started with three homeless people, a bottle of gin and a freezing cold night.
The story is told about a powerful family with many secrets, three friends with their own secrets and regrets, and a strange disease that distorts the human figure into something so grotesque, that the population was afraid of them.
In amongst all of this, two women fall in love and the family at the center of the story values beauty above all else.
Birdie weaves a story that is sometimes hard to believe. The characters in the story are all strong and fit well together. You also have an antagonist who appears to be looking for revenge.
If I say to much, I'll be giving away "spoilers," so my review is vague.
After reading this book, I still don’t know how Birdie fits into this story, but I came to my own conclusions. It was a happy, sad, make you angry story, but well worth reading, you will not regret it!
The one thing I have to give the author credit for is her brilliance in using word play. Taking one word, using it and using it again as something else. Yes I’m being vague, but if I was to tell you, I’d be giving a “spoiler,” see if you can pick it out.
The story started with three homeless people, a bottle of gin and a freezing cold night.
The story is told about a powerful family with many secrets, three friends with their own secrets and regrets, and a strange disease that distorts the human figure into something so grotesque, that the population was afraid of them.
In amongst all of this, two women fall in love and the family at the center of the story values beauty above all else.
Birdie weaves a story that is sometimes hard to believe. The characters in the story are all strong and fit well together. You also have an antagonist who appears to be looking for revenge.
If I say to much, I'll be giving away "spoilers," so my review is vague.
After reading this book, I still don’t know how Birdie fits into this story, but I came to my own conclusions. It was a happy, sad, make you angry story, but well worth reading, you will not regret it!
The one thing I have to give the author credit for is her brilliance in using word play. Taking one word, using it and using it again as something else. Yes I’m being vague, but if I was to tell you, I’d be giving a “spoiler,” see if you can pick it out.
June 15, 2022
I really loved this book. But the ending left me wanting to know more.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews