Lena’s Comments (group member since Nov 17, 2014)

Lena’s comments from the Spells, Space & Screams: Collections & Anthologies in Fantasy, Science Fiction, & Horror group.

The Waiting Stars by Aliette de Bodard ★★★½☆
Ah the drama of do-gooders making culture gaffs. Save us from the bleeding hearts! This short story was not enough for me to understand biologically birthed starships but I liked the idea.

For more than three decades, Ellen Datlow has been at the center of horror. Bringing you the most frightening and terrifying stories, Datlow always has her finger on the pulse of what horror readers crave. Now, with the twelfth volume of the series, Datlow is back again to bring you the stories that will keep you up at night. Encompassed in the pages of The Best Horror of the Year have been such illustrious writers as: Neil Gaiman, Kim Newman, Stephen King, Linda Nagata, Laird Barron, Margo Lanagan, and many others.

The Lost Princess Man by John Barnes ★★★★★
Combining laugh-out-loud humor, whimsy, and brutal truths Barnes gets all the stars. I had a great time reading this story.

That was a major draw for me, the tidyness. I liked that after the startling ending you could see how the entire was built towards it.

The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest is on sale today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083VT58ST?...
Purchased!

Night Laughter by Ellen Kushner ★★★½☆
A shorty about a vampire having a great time with her life. The writing was vivid: “wet and bright as a puddle in neon.”

Lunch at Charon’s by Melanie Tem ★★☆☆☆
That was just a story of vampire draining her “friends.” There was nothing to it.

Forever, Amen by Elizabeth Massie DNF
Skipped, this sounded like no fun at all.

Riding the Crocodile by Greg Egan ★★½☆☆
An epic galactic exploration weighed down mightily by a suicidal partner; the ending a wilted white flag.

Have you ever wanted to know every thought in guys mind?!?!
Yeah, me neither.
Now it’s the basis of an action movie, of course it is: https://youtu.be/o3bVDsKpleE

Sweet!

Yes sometimes "life" - that covers things nicely.

You have to try that story Graeme! Oh, I will finish the ARC soon, I'm behind on everything and my dog's been sick.

Firstborn by Brandon Sanderson ★★★★★★
Yes, six stars. With shades of Ender’s Game and Gemini Man this was the best science fiction short I’ve ever read. A full story and good glimpse into an imperial world on knife’s edge. Riveted!

Merry Christmas HBO subscribers, Wonder Woman 1980 is coming to you for free on Dec 25th: https://youtu.be/lNmstoJtNUw

Meanwhile most of the local theaters are closed with We’ll be back soon! signs on them. Not sure I believe that.

For your holiday pleasure, Godfather Three Recut: https://youtu.be/uXsl0QdFUMA
Seems a good excuse for a series rewatch.

It lacks comedy and is filmed too darkly.

For your holiday needs Bruce Willis and Thomas Jane are fighting zombies in space: https://youtu.be/4CgZvMG1ldc

Caleb wrote: "Little late but joining in on this read."
We start our books on the 15th so you are definitely not late!

@Kaa - the series has been on my mental TBR for awhile

All the Painted Stars by Gwendolyn Clare ★★★★½
“Since when were you more afraid of dying than of not having a purpose?” Liu’s lips curl in an expression I now know to indicate amusement. “How human of you.”

I loved this story of an outcast alien policeman saving a little band of intergalactic humans and finding a new purpose in life.