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Love Stories
In these 12 SF/F stories, love pushes us to revenge, to reach beyond the boundaries of life and death. To rescue a family member. To fight the good fight without even knowing it, or to risk everyone and everything to save someone who may or may not be worthy. To make the wrong decisions and walk into hell. To transcend who we are.
Love can make us both the best and worst versions of ourselves.
Exploring grief, affection, and the ties that bind us all together, this thought-provoking and diverse set of a dozen fantastical stories takes readers on a riveting trip around the galaxy. Whether it’s venturing into the criminal underworld with a wizard or delving into tough questions about how society treats the differently abled, Villyard’s elegant prose infuses each otherworldly scenario and cleverly evokes critical contemplations on expectations, reality, and humanity's future.
Love Stories is an eclectic collection of speculative fiction tales. If you like relatable characters, complex themes, and mind-bending twists, then you’ll adore Katherine Villyard’s contrast of the mythical and the mundane.
Love can make us both the best and worst versions of ourselves.
Exploring grief, affection, and the ties that bind us all together, this thought-provoking and diverse set of a dozen fantastical stories takes readers on a riveting trip around the galaxy. Whether it’s venturing into the criminal underworld with a wizard or delving into tough questions about how society treats the differently abled, Villyard’s elegant prose infuses each otherworldly scenario and cleverly evokes critical contemplations on expectations, reality, and humanity's future.
Love Stories is an eclectic collection of speculative fiction tales. If you like relatable characters, complex themes, and mind-bending twists, then you’ll adore Katherine Villyard’s contrast of the mythical and the mundane.
211 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2022
15 people are currently reading
4583 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Villyard
12 books68 followersKatherine Villyard is an award-winning author of speculative fiction and the President of Broad Universe, an organization promoting women and other traditionally marginalized genders in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her cats. When she’s not writing, she’s probably working at her day job in IT, spoiling cats, or playing The Sims. Her greatest ambition is to rule the world.
And check out the Immortal Gifts Podcast!
And check out the Immortal Gifts Podcast!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 10, 2023
Creative and imaginative short stories. The author of these stories has a mind that would be a wonderful place to visit. Pure love, love that uses others, all kinds of love and the actions they create, are here. Highly recommend.
My thanks to the author, Katherine Villyard, for my copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
My thanks to the author, Katherine Villyard, for my copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
November 24, 2023
Book of Shadows, the first story in the book is without a doubt the best story in the book. They rest of them are not bad and as with any collection there were a couple I didn’t really like much
October 7, 2022
Summary:
A collection of short stories, each demonstrating ties that people form with each other and how they attempt to preserve them. What lengths would someone to go demonstrate that caring? What mistakes would someone make to pursue a more ‘perfect’ life? Love isn’t just a state of being, an adjective; ‘love’ is a verb, a thing one does. 12 total, including 7 reprinted and 5 original works.
Review:
*** NO SPOILERS INTENDED *** No character names, plot outlines (only elements,) etc. listed.
“Love Stories” is such a work that makes me understand why so many of today’s “classic novels” originated in newspapers, one chapter or short section at a time, which then evolved into ‘finished novels’ as popular titles were collected and published upon reader demand. While not every reader may engage emotionally with every story offered, many are sure to find something which demands a ‘fuller’ or longer telling of the story, more details, etc.
That is a blessing and a fault of short fiction: if told well, it is meant to be dense with detail but able to be consumed in 10- to 20-minute segments. Enough to be satisfying and enough to be left wanting.
This is a great collection of devotional tales if you have time for a quick ‘snack’ on a lunch break, the bus ride home, or if you don’t have the concentration power to read a full one-thread novel. Each tale is different: in one, a man searches for a long-lost daughter; in another, an android becomes a carer for a friend before becoming his own person. No cliffhangers, no waiting until ‘next season,’ no leaving off and waiting for maybe another book to be published, which more or less fits the details in the original with some continuity. And yet, there is plenty to speculate about, more of a story to always envision.
“Love Stories” is not a ‘romance’ novel. Each short story offers a different definition of what it is to love someone and the actions they perform to demonstrate that.
If you liked “Star Trek’s” Data, time travel, or folk stories, you may like these, too.
Notes about portrayal of wheelchair users in fiction:
My opinion is mixed on stories where main characters use a wheelchair. I’m sure someone would say that having these characters -at all- is a big step, and I agree! It’s still, to this day, rare to see someone people I know could identify with when it comes to daily physical experiences.
I’m torn between knowing that this, of course, is speculative fantasy (not reality) and seeing these fantastic futures with amazing, imagined advancements, but not for a segment of our population larger than most people realise.
My cynicism says that these worlds do reflect very much how our society acts, and likely will continue acting. Yes, we do have international flights, OLED colour televisions, and books you can read on a screen… and yet, I have visited (and lived in) several places in two decades that are mostly or completely inaccessible to wheelchair users, even on the ground floor. The gap is not lost on me. So I don’t think some futuristic world of functional advanced robotics would care for anyone “physically less-than,” even if we (like characters in these stories) actually DO ‘contribute’ quite a bit to society.
There are stories where wheelchair users are physically isolated and have few in-person friends, going few places. That checks out in reality. As I’ve explained to doctors, IF I could afford $15k USD to get a used van, I also spend another $10-12k to make it wheelchair-adapted. I can’t leave the front door of my current apartment. It’s too narrow. If I manage to, if I get a ‘handicap parking space’ at a restaurant, I can’t use the doors to get in. Real people are not invisible in public spaces because ‘disabled people don’t go out.’ We are physically prevented from going out at every segment of the trip. Yes, it would be easier if I could just walk around a whole grocery without my heart having problems. It is also physically possible to space the aisles just slightly further apart. We have had the ability to build hallways just 15cm wider for as long as humans have built hallways, a move that would benefit everyone I know- wheelchair user or not. A character that also does not generally leave home is very true to experience. (From here, by the way, location is relevant: homes in America CAN be larger if we want. Homes in Japan, which only has around 1/3 habitable landmass, cannot accommodate as easily. Is lacking accommodations relevant to the story? Depends on the story.)
My real gripe would be characters set in a world where a kind of ‘consciousness transplant’ is limited but possible. Even though these characters do have their own challenges, no characters truly have stories that revolve around their previous bodies. The story could be totally rewritten in ways that left out physical disability and remain quite the same. I’m too aware of the trope of “physically very limited person gets brand-new healthy body with few or no physical quirks.”
There is also a touch of “if you hate ____ people, you probably ARE one” trope. That is also a thing that happens in real life, and there’s really no reason to avoid that idea. A short story format leaves no room for the unpacking of that issue. It has to be wrapped up quickly, neatly, by design. There’s something about pairing the two together that makes me cringe.
I do have to mention that the story doesn’t end with characters being punished for their new circumstances. Those of us old enough to remember the “staring out a window, longing for a healthy body” trope of the 80s might recall TV shows where that wish is granted- and the formerly-disabled character is Secretly the real evil all along!!! (A very American culture hint of our attitude that God would love you and you’d be healthy if you weren’t spiritually ill. Ugh.) To have a world where the characters do not have some kind of retribution for being ‘restored’ is quite nice.
If this is an issue that may cause problems for you, there are related books you may enjoy in the same genre.
For me, it isn’t something that will keep me preoccupied. It’s one portion of the book to unpack, which I might be able to do without revealing important plotlines or summaries of stories.
Final thoughts on that subject:
Readers, please don’t go leaving false reviews and spamming the writer with hate mail screaming “ableism.” Physical disability, as portrayed by using a wheelchair, is a very difficult subject to write about. I think that is one reason why most people avoid it so entirely. It isn’t fair to hold someone to ridiculously high standards and then punish them for “failing.” There are lots of authors out there who select a Thing That Society (or themselves) Thinks Is Bad and they write propaganda about it. Katherine is not one of those authors. If you have constructive criticism, perhaps with some examples, consider contacting the author about future works.
Difficulty addressing the ~20 million people (or more) with ambulatory needs such as wheelchairs, permanent or temporary, may be lacking in fiction for some of the same reasons that cities don’t invest in sidewalks that are only marginally wider: if they thought about the subject at ALL, they’d be open to criticism for “doing it wrong.” But if they never make any steps or changes towards inclusivity, no one can accuse them of not being there for everyone. Any author who writes one (1) character with a disability is then open to Not Representing Everyone with X disability.
The truth is, there is absolutely no way to feasibly do that. I think it is an unfair expectation to put that on anyone, at all, including anyone who currently has the same physical disability as one portrayed. This is about writing and reading short fiction, not publishing my medical file (which, as for 2018, now takes up almost two 2.5” thick binders) and complaining that it doesn’t match the next person’s experiences directly. Do you see why it’s impossible to hold that expectation now?
-------------------
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A collection of short stories, each demonstrating ties that people form with each other and how they attempt to preserve them. What lengths would someone to go demonstrate that caring? What mistakes would someone make to pursue a more ‘perfect’ life? Love isn’t just a state of being, an adjective; ‘love’ is a verb, a thing one does. 12 total, including 7 reprinted and 5 original works.
Review:
*** NO SPOILERS INTENDED *** No character names, plot outlines (only elements,) etc. listed.
“Love Stories” is such a work that makes me understand why so many of today’s “classic novels” originated in newspapers, one chapter or short section at a time, which then evolved into ‘finished novels’ as popular titles were collected and published upon reader demand. While not every reader may engage emotionally with every story offered, many are sure to find something which demands a ‘fuller’ or longer telling of the story, more details, etc.
That is a blessing and a fault of short fiction: if told well, it is meant to be dense with detail but able to be consumed in 10- to 20-minute segments. Enough to be satisfying and enough to be left wanting.
This is a great collection of devotional tales if you have time for a quick ‘snack’ on a lunch break, the bus ride home, or if you don’t have the concentration power to read a full one-thread novel. Each tale is different: in one, a man searches for a long-lost daughter; in another, an android becomes a carer for a friend before becoming his own person. No cliffhangers, no waiting until ‘next season,’ no leaving off and waiting for maybe another book to be published, which more or less fits the details in the original with some continuity. And yet, there is plenty to speculate about, more of a story to always envision.
“Love Stories” is not a ‘romance’ novel. Each short story offers a different definition of what it is to love someone and the actions they perform to demonstrate that.
If you liked “Star Trek’s” Data, time travel, or folk stories, you may like these, too.
Notes about portrayal of wheelchair users in fiction:
My opinion is mixed on stories where main characters use a wheelchair. I’m sure someone would say that having these characters -at all- is a big step, and I agree! It’s still, to this day, rare to see someone people I know could identify with when it comes to daily physical experiences.
I’m torn between knowing that this, of course, is speculative fantasy (not reality) and seeing these fantastic futures with amazing, imagined advancements, but not for a segment of our population larger than most people realise.
My cynicism says that these worlds do reflect very much how our society acts, and likely will continue acting. Yes, we do have international flights, OLED colour televisions, and books you can read on a screen… and yet, I have visited (and lived in) several places in two decades that are mostly or completely inaccessible to wheelchair users, even on the ground floor. The gap is not lost on me. So I don’t think some futuristic world of functional advanced robotics would care for anyone “physically less-than,” even if we (like characters in these stories) actually DO ‘contribute’ quite a bit to society.
There are stories where wheelchair users are physically isolated and have few in-person friends, going few places. That checks out in reality. As I’ve explained to doctors, IF I could afford $15k USD to get a used van, I also spend another $10-12k to make it wheelchair-adapted. I can’t leave the front door of my current apartment. It’s too narrow. If I manage to, if I get a ‘handicap parking space’ at a restaurant, I can’t use the doors to get in. Real people are not invisible in public spaces because ‘disabled people don’t go out.’ We are physically prevented from going out at every segment of the trip. Yes, it would be easier if I could just walk around a whole grocery without my heart having problems. It is also physically possible to space the aisles just slightly further apart. We have had the ability to build hallways just 15cm wider for as long as humans have built hallways, a move that would benefit everyone I know- wheelchair user or not. A character that also does not generally leave home is very true to experience. (From here, by the way, location is relevant: homes in America CAN be larger if we want. Homes in Japan, which only has around 1/3 habitable landmass, cannot accommodate as easily. Is lacking accommodations relevant to the story? Depends on the story.)
My real gripe would be characters set in a world where a kind of ‘consciousness transplant’ is limited but possible. Even though these characters do have their own challenges, no characters truly have stories that revolve around their previous bodies. The story could be totally rewritten in ways that left out physical disability and remain quite the same. I’m too aware of the trope of “physically very limited person gets brand-new healthy body with few or no physical quirks.”
There is also a touch of “if you hate ____ people, you probably ARE one” trope. That is also a thing that happens in real life, and there’s really no reason to avoid that idea. A short story format leaves no room for the unpacking of that issue. It has to be wrapped up quickly, neatly, by design. There’s something about pairing the two together that makes me cringe.
I do have to mention that the story doesn’t end with characters being punished for their new circumstances. Those of us old enough to remember the “staring out a window, longing for a healthy body” trope of the 80s might recall TV shows where that wish is granted- and the formerly-disabled character is Secretly the real evil all along!!! (A very American culture hint of our attitude that God would love you and you’d be healthy if you weren’t spiritually ill. Ugh.) To have a world where the characters do not have some kind of retribution for being ‘restored’ is quite nice.
If this is an issue that may cause problems for you, there are related books you may enjoy in the same genre.
For me, it isn’t something that will keep me preoccupied. It’s one portion of the book to unpack, which I might be able to do without revealing important plotlines or summaries of stories.
Final thoughts on that subject:
Readers, please don’t go leaving false reviews and spamming the writer with hate mail screaming “ableism.” Physical disability, as portrayed by using a wheelchair, is a very difficult subject to write about. I think that is one reason why most people avoid it so entirely. It isn’t fair to hold someone to ridiculously high standards and then punish them for “failing.” There are lots of authors out there who select a Thing That Society (or themselves) Thinks Is Bad and they write propaganda about it. Katherine is not one of those authors. If you have constructive criticism, perhaps with some examples, consider contacting the author about future works.
Difficulty addressing the ~20 million people (or more) with ambulatory needs such as wheelchairs, permanent or temporary, may be lacking in fiction for some of the same reasons that cities don’t invest in sidewalks that are only marginally wider: if they thought about the subject at ALL, they’d be open to criticism for “doing it wrong.” But if they never make any steps or changes towards inclusivity, no one can accuse them of not being there for everyone. Any author who writes one (1) character with a disability is then open to Not Representing Everyone with X disability.
The truth is, there is absolutely no way to feasibly do that. I think it is an unfair expectation to put that on anyone, at all, including anyone who currently has the same physical disability as one portrayed. This is about writing and reading short fiction, not publishing my medical file (which, as for 2018, now takes up almost two 2.5” thick binders) and complaining that it doesn’t match the next person’s experiences directly. Do you see why it’s impossible to hold that expectation now?
-------------------
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 26, 2023
It was very easy to get immersed in each story despite them all being so short. It was fun to see the different types of love between different types of beings (whether it be human, alien, or robotic).
January 11, 2023
The author weaves her colorful tapestries using diverse characters and universal themes touching on disability, race, and artificial intelligence, with an eclectic mix of references from hip hop to Greek mythology. The collection was full of prose that was sweet, smart, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes thought-provoking, but always beautiful, with a few surprising twists.
January 13, 2023
This is the book for you if you love short stories! I really enjoyed being able to pick up and put down this book when I needed to, because I could quickly get through a short story in one sitting which is really nice! Most of these stories pull you right in and get you hooked and I loved that they weren't at all cliche love stories. Without saying much, a lot of them have nice twists or end in ways you don't expect which really keeps this book fresh!
All that being said, there were a couple that lacked a bit in depth and clarity. I found myself getting lost or not understanding what was going on, but that was only a couple times.
Overall I'd recommend giving this book a chance!
All that being said, there were a couple that lacked a bit in depth and clarity. I found myself getting lost or not understanding what was going on, but that was only a couple times.
Overall I'd recommend giving this book a chance!
October 13, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
These short stories were not what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised. I definitely enjoyed some more than others, my favorite was definitely Book of Shadows. It was a nice easy read, perfect for right before bed.
These short stories were not what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised. I definitely enjoyed some more than others, my favorite was definitely Book of Shadows. It was a nice easy read, perfect for right before bed.
February 11, 2025
Katherine Villyard's Love Stories isn't a collection of sweet nothings and fairytale endings; it's a raw, unflinching examination of love in all its messy, complicated glory. These stories plunge into the depths of human emotion, exploring the intoxicating power and terrifying potential of this elusive force.
What is love, really? Villyard doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, she presents a diverse cast of characters driven to the edge, their actions dictated by an all-consuming devotion. We see love fuel acts of desperate revenge, blurring the lines between right and wrong. We witness characters pushing beyond the limits of mortality, driven by a love that transcends the grave. And we are confronted with the agonizing choices people make, risking everything for a family member, a stranger, or even someone who might be utterly undeserving.
The brilliance of this collection lies in its unflinching portrayal of love's darker aspects. Villyard doesn't shy away from the wrong decisions, the paths leading straight to hell, the sacrifices that cost everything. She understands that love can be a destructive force, capable of turning even the most virtuous into someone unrecognizable.
But amidst the darkness, there's a glimmer of hope. These stories also showcase love's power to elevate, to inspire courage, and to ignite a fierce protectiveness. We see characters transcending their limitations, fighting for what they believe in, even when the odds are stacked against them.
Love Stories is a powerful reminder that love isn't always pretty. It's complex, multifaceted, and capable of shaping us into both the best and worst versions of ourselves. Villyard's writing is sharp, evocative, and deeply insightful, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved, lost, or wondered about the true nature of this profound and often contradictory emotion. Highly recommended!
What is love, really? Villyard doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, she presents a diverse cast of characters driven to the edge, their actions dictated by an all-consuming devotion. We see love fuel acts of desperate revenge, blurring the lines between right and wrong. We witness characters pushing beyond the limits of mortality, driven by a love that transcends the grave. And we are confronted with the agonizing choices people make, risking everything for a family member, a stranger, or even someone who might be utterly undeserving.
The brilliance of this collection lies in its unflinching portrayal of love's darker aspects. Villyard doesn't shy away from the wrong decisions, the paths leading straight to hell, the sacrifices that cost everything. She understands that love can be a destructive force, capable of turning even the most virtuous into someone unrecognizable.
But amidst the darkness, there's a glimmer of hope. These stories also showcase love's power to elevate, to inspire courage, and to ignite a fierce protectiveness. We see characters transcending their limitations, fighting for what they believe in, even when the odds are stacked against them.
Love Stories is a powerful reminder that love isn't always pretty. It's complex, multifaceted, and capable of shaping us into both the best and worst versions of ourselves. Villyard's writing is sharp, evocative, and deeply insightful, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved, lost, or wondered about the true nature of this profound and often contradictory emotion. Highly recommended!
June 14, 2023
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this short story collection but I found myself getting really invested, specifically in the world building of each tale.
With the title of this collection called "Love Stories", one may assume that means it will be about romantic couples. However, author Katherine Villyard uses each story to show the variance of what it means to love.
Each tale is set in its own futuristic sci-fi mindscape. While the characters don't always land on mark for me, I was always interested in learning more about the world they live in.
There was one story that I had a lot of trouble getting through. I did not quite understand it. But the rest were a pleasant journey.
It's a quick easy read and, if you enjoy sci-fi, I think you should check it out.
With the title of this collection called "Love Stories", one may assume that means it will be about romantic couples. However, author Katherine Villyard uses each story to show the variance of what it means to love.
Each tale is set in its own futuristic sci-fi mindscape. While the characters don't always land on mark for me, I was always interested in learning more about the world they live in.
There was one story that I had a lot of trouble getting through. I did not quite understand it. But the rest were a pleasant journey.
It's a quick easy read and, if you enjoy sci-fi, I think you should check it out.
July 23, 2023
This is a collection of short love stories. Love comes in all shapes, sizes, and abilities: human, robotic, and even alien. I found these stories to be touching, and tender hearted for those with an open mind. I would like to experience more stories exploring the different aspects of love. Each story is full of details and engrossing, perfect for when you have 10-20 minutes to kill. Narration was well done. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.
January 10, 2023
Thought provoking SF, that hooks you right away, drawing you into each short story. Highly recommend to anyone who appreciates the genre!
February 23, 2023
Excellent other worldly stories of love and the ramifications of decisions made whilst in love. The stories were well scripted and although challenging, enjoyable to read. Recommended to readers who want to read a novel with a different but entertaining look at love beyond life's boundaries.
March 22, 2023
Interesting set of stories centered around love. Some tales take things to the extreme, and a good collection overall.
Thanks very much for the free review copy for review!!
Thanks very much for the free review copy for review!!
June 29, 2023
intelligently written stories
For the most part, I enjoyed the short stories in Love Stories, which I received as part of a Goodreads giveaway. Some were definitely better than others and the mix of sci-fi and fantasy was enjoyable. My favorites were Transplant and Underworld. The author obviously has a wide breadth of knowledge from which to draw for her stories.
The reason I gave a 4 star rating was because of the need for editing. The first few stories in particular contained grammatical errors and the writing was not as engaging as the later stories. However, after seeing the cost of a Kindle version, I would say go for it. The short story format made for a enjoyable bedtime read over a few nights.
For the most part, I enjoyed the short stories in Love Stories, which I received as part of a Goodreads giveaway. Some were definitely better than others and the mix of sci-fi and fantasy was enjoyable. My favorites were Transplant and Underworld. The author obviously has a wide breadth of knowledge from which to draw for her stories.
The reason I gave a 4 star rating was because of the need for editing. The first few stories in particular contained grammatical errors and the writing was not as engaging as the later stories. However, after seeing the cost of a Kindle version, I would say go for it. The short story format made for a enjoyable bedtime read over a few nights.
December 4, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Overall I thought it was really good. Some short stories I liked better than others but all of them were really imaginative and well-written. I would definitely recommend this to sci-fi and fantasy fans.
November 1, 2022
All twelve stories are all unique in their own way. And each chapter represents different types of love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2022
In LOVE STORIES Katherine Villyard creates richly imagined myths and futures with some stunning visuals, like the sisters coughing up gemstones in "Toads and Roses."
I also enjoyed the line, "You’re warm and lucid, with hot lips and roaming hands," in "La Divina Commedia" -- and LOVE STORIES contains some good turns of phrase throughout.
Unfortunately, stories involving time travel and the theme of "daddy issues" can be a bit heavy-handed and hard to follow. Additionally, many of the stories feel like early drafts, and the collection doesn't always feel thoughtfully organized.
I gave the book 3 stars simply because "Transplant" is a fabulous, well-drafted story, and I'm glad I got to read it.
I also enjoyed the line, "You’re warm and lucid, with hot lips and roaming hands," in "La Divina Commedia" -- and LOVE STORIES contains some good turns of phrase throughout.
Unfortunately, stories involving time travel and the theme of "daddy issues" can be a bit heavy-handed and hard to follow. Additionally, many of the stories feel like early drafts, and the collection doesn't always feel thoughtfully organized.
I gave the book 3 stars simply because "Transplant" is a fabulous, well-drafted story, and I'm glad I got to read it.
November 9, 2025
Okay, okay, it’s my book, but…
Five stars for Kyle Akers because he was AMAZING!
Also, check it out for FREE on YouTube!
Five stars for Kyle Akers because he was AMAZING!
Also, check it out for FREE on YouTube!
September 17, 2024
A really lovely collection of stories unified by the concept of love in many forms.
January 20, 2023
Katherine Villyard’s collection of short stories simultaneously explores the different types of love (romantic, sibling, familial, and platonic) with sci-fi and futuristic themes, settings, and characters like artificial intelligence (AI), time travel, aliens, and even body transplants.
In my experience, a collection of short stories are usually tied together with an overarching theme. I felt that the exploration of different types of love was a solid choice as it’s a universal concept that everyone experiences and can relate to. The fact that this overarching theme is explored through sci-fi and futuristic settings and characters that we’re yet to explore as a human race, was refreshing and unique.
Even though the collection was exploring different types of love, I appreciated that not every story had a happy ending, some of them had sad endings that were true to the story, its characters, and were more realistic. Some stories are definitely better than others, and there were a few I personally found hard to follow due to some of the sci-fi and futuristic themes they revolved around, and the short amount of time devoted to exploring and explaining these themes, and being able to get my head around them.
On a smaller note, there were multiple typos, some very hard to ignore, but they don’t completely ruin the reading experience.
Overall, I did enjoy this collection of short stories showing that love can transcend humanity, technology, and magic, even if it wasn’t the smoothest reading experience at times.
In my experience, a collection of short stories are usually tied together with an overarching theme. I felt that the exploration of different types of love was a solid choice as it’s a universal concept that everyone experiences and can relate to. The fact that this overarching theme is explored through sci-fi and futuristic settings and characters that we’re yet to explore as a human race, was refreshing and unique.
Even though the collection was exploring different types of love, I appreciated that not every story had a happy ending, some of them had sad endings that were true to the story, its characters, and were more realistic. Some stories are definitely better than others, and there were a few I personally found hard to follow due to some of the sci-fi and futuristic themes they revolved around, and the short amount of time devoted to exploring and explaining these themes, and being able to get my head around them.
On a smaller note, there were multiple typos, some very hard to ignore, but they don’t completely ruin the reading experience.
Overall, I did enjoy this collection of short stories showing that love can transcend humanity, technology, and magic, even if it wasn’t the smoothest reading experience at times.
February 5, 2023
Love Stories is an anthology of science fiction and fantasy short stories. Villyard provides a diverse group of stories. From an android desperate to save his dying human to witch navigating grief after the death of a parent, Villyard explores many different kinds of love.
For some of the stories, the sci-fi and fantasy elements worked well – the simplicity of the magic in “Book of Shadows” drove the story and character development. Other times, the sci-fi elements did not feel central to the story. In “The Last Wasicu”, the sci-fi element of the story could have been removed, and it would still be a discussion on colonialism and Indigenous history.
This would be a suitable for readers who are new to sci-fi and fantasy, who would like a quick, easy read to dip their toes into the genre.
For some of the stories, the sci-fi and fantasy elements worked well – the simplicity of the magic in “Book of Shadows” drove the story and character development. Other times, the sci-fi elements did not feel central to the story. In “The Last Wasicu”, the sci-fi element of the story could have been removed, and it would still be a discussion on colonialism and Indigenous history.
This would be a suitable for readers who are new to sci-fi and fantasy, who would like a quick, easy read to dip their toes into the genre.
September 1, 2023
These ae stories about love, but these aren't romantic love stories. I didn't realize that going into it. The stories are all different. I love happy ending stories, so I didn't get much of that here. My favorite story was actually the very first one- Book of Shadows. I just like the use of magic in the story, and like others in here, there was a twist. I wish it was longer, but it was perfect as is. I always love the unexpected twist in stories (or movies)- especially when it pops up out of nowhere. It was fun getting such short stories- I'm not used to that as even in anthologies I read, the stories are longer- but in general prefer things a bit longer. But it worked here.
I listened to this audiobook narrated by Kyle Akers. I really liked this narrator. He spoke clearly and even toned. I loved the sound of his voice.
Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 3 stars
I listened to this audiobook narrated by Kyle Akers. I really liked this narrator. He spoke clearly and even toned. I loved the sound of his voice.
Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 3 stars
December 7, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed how diverse and unpredictable all the stories were, most especially the endings - not a cliffhanger but leaves the reader with a yearning for just a little bit more.
One key thing to also appreciate is the lessons ( if one thinks deeply and critically ) from the stories on how our society operates, the future of AI, and also the reality of people with disabilities.
From aliens, witches, wizards, time travelers, AI - all the stories had a unique perspective and edge that was way out of the ordinary, I read this book in less than 3 hours after a hectic day at work. It was a such needed break from reality that I throughly enjoyed.
One key thing to also appreciate is the lessons ( if one thinks deeply and critically ) from the stories on how our society operates, the future of AI, and also the reality of people with disabilities.
From aliens, witches, wizards, time travelers, AI - all the stories had a unique perspective and edge that was way out of the ordinary, I read this book in less than 3 hours after a hectic day at work. It was a such needed break from reality that I throughly enjoyed.
December 21, 2023
This collection of stories doesn't disappoint, in every one of these the central focus point is love, could a “robot” love his dying master? What feelings does a child have for her parent and what feelings had his father for her? And so many other, but these were my favourite…
you can find a bit for everyone in here, I did enjoy each of the stories, of course some more than others, but they left me feeling satisfied, each of these stories had a very definitive ending, so that really is a plus. Grab a copy for yourself and see for yourself, for me it was a very good experience.
Thank you Netgalley and DAW for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
you can find a bit for everyone in here, I did enjoy each of the stories, of course some more than others, but they left me feeling satisfied, each of these stories had a very definitive ending, so that really is a plus. Grab a copy for yourself and see for yourself, for me it was a very good experience.
Thank you Netgalley and DAW for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
January 5, 2023
This is a collection of short stories which are fun as plots, but overall it wasn't for me. While I enjoy SF and Fantasy, I'm accustomed to character driven stories with deeper POV so I can connect to the characters. The stories in this anthology felt like a checklist of the day by day rather than deeply feeling and connecting with the characters. It caused me to be disconnected from them. I was told how they felt and there was too much distance. I wasn't a fan of the few stories about the fathers the way they were written. Again, it could be because of the shallow POV.
May 27, 2023
Over all, good
Short stories are always hard to rate. They always feel rushed to me and are a mix bag. Most of the stories would get a 4 Star on there own, and there are 1 or 2 I would give a five to. Over all I enjoyed the book. I especially liked that not all the stories were about romantic love. My only complaint was that a few of these stories where not there own full Story.
Short stories are always hard to rate. They always feel rushed to me and are a mix bag. Most of the stories would get a 4 Star on there own, and there are 1 or 2 I would give a five to. Over all I enjoyed the book. I especially liked that not all the stories were about romantic love. My only complaint was that a few of these stories where not there own full Story.
November 1, 2022
I really enjoyed the way Katherine Villyard wrote these scifi short stories. It was what I was hoping for from this type of book. Each one was really well done and I enjoyed everything overall.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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May 1, 2023This is an interesting set of short love stories. This was a quick read and I enjoyed some of the stories more than others. Because they are short stories they just jumped in to the story without any build up.
July 25, 2023
Won this as Goodreads Giveaway. Felt an obligation to finish it. I love a good compilation of short stories, but this was not one of them. But check it out yourself...your mileage may vary!
Did not finish
September 10, 2023DNF @ 16%
This just was not what I was expecting....
This just was not what I was expecting....
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