New Suns

This is one of the first books I requested from NetGalley and I’ve been so remiss in getting reviews done for the books I’ve requested that I thought I best start now and get on with it.

New Suns is a collection of “Original Speculative Fiction by People of Colour” and examines the speculative fiction short story format from a non-Eurocentric perspective and is well worth a read if you enjoy the short story format.

Seventeen completely different stories examine everything from what feels like space opera to far more mystical themes, with a lot in-between.

One of my favourites is ‘Blood and Bells’ by Karin Lowachee, set in a post-something city of tribal affiliations being stretched by family needs, the language is strong and pulls you through a desolate setting to a great ending.

The story of an alternative Aztec world and revolt, Burn the Ships by Alberto Yáñez, is fascinating and exciting, bringing in ancient gods, blood and magic.

Harvest by Rebecca Roanhorse is wondrous and horrific love story warning you to ‘never fall in love with a deer woman’, enticing and tells a story of hate and revenge.

This is a great collection without a weak story in it, coming from different countries and cultures it opens the genre of speculative short fiction beyond its usual tropes and ideas.