Alexander’s Reviews > Solarpunk: Short Stories from Many Futures > Status Update

Lizard Skin by Lucie Lukačovičová has a great balance between plot and worldbuilding that makes both very interesting to read. Unfortunately it fizzles out a little by the end. 4/5

Drawing the Line by Gustavo Bondoni is cute, using a lovely plot as a backdrop for a utopia... that I'm not sure I agree with. 4/5

The Spiral Ranch by Sarena Ulibarri has a good, satisfying plot that doesn't just feel like something to put the worldbuilding on, which is appreciated. Still, the ending feels a little unresolved. 4/5

The Maestro of Small Things by Fransesco Verso feels like all worldbuilding, no plot, until the plot does show up - but it makes me wonder if the first few pages could've been trimmed. 3/5

Oil and Ivory is queer, it's intimate, it's got a good plot, what else can I give it but a 5/5

Sorry, had to sensitivity read, which meant this took a backseat until I'd finished that. But I have now.
Anyway. For the Snake of Power by Brenda Cooper is a great story about oppression and the differences between the rich and the poor. An enjoyable read. 4/5

The Soma Earth by Giro Faienza is a little hard to follow: it's very science-based and not all gets explained. 3/5

Orchidacae by Thomas Badlan has great worldbuilding, and that's also pretty much all this short story is, there's fairly little plot unfortunately. On top of that, it's rooted in the idea that the reason climate change exists is because of too many humans, an idea I struggle with. 3/5

Byzantine Empathy by Ken Liu required some Byzantine patience. It's long and longer than it needs to be, I feel. It makes some interesting points, but never quite wraps them up nicely. 3/5

Rules for a Civilization by Jerri Jerreat is lovely. It ends a little sudden and there's a lot of description before the plot picks up, but once it does, the feelings it elicits more than make up for it. Though I may be biased, because of my profession. Strong start. 5/5