My rating: 3 of 5 stars
She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.
Those three sentences have become a sort of battle cry for women who are standing up in the face of outdated and demeaning attitudes from some segments of society. In this collection of flash fiction, a number of the most well-known women sff authors illustrate women who embody those words. There are stories of courage, of hope, of open challenge, and of quiet resistance. Each one starts from those three sentences, and each one tells a different tale from many perspectives.
Flash fiction is a unique form. Extremely short, a flash fiction has to pack a lot into a small space, and it can be difficult to carry it off well. Most of the stories here do a creditable job. A few are truly wonderful. One or two didn’t resonate for me. There are some stellar names in the contributor’s list: Seanan McGuire, Jo Walton, Charlie Jane Anders, and more.
The stories, as noted, are short and the entire book can be read in a couple of hours or less. Each story gets its message across in bold strokes, yes, because in this short a space, it’s necessary. But they are readable stories alongside the message. You may like some more than others, but that’s to be expected. It’s a worthwhile read for the sharp edges, hints of sadness, and compelling strength wrapped into these short peices.
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Need some new Summer reads? Check out my books and stories here. I have Fantasy, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, novels, novelettes, and a novella out there. All are available wherever e-books are sold. Or get an idea of the sorts of things I write with these stories that are free to read here on the site.
And So On... 