The Far Reaches. Amazon Original Fiction curated by John Joseph Adams. 2023
The Far Reaches
RATED 100% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE 4.3 OF 5
6 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 0 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Having just moved, with all my science fiction anthologies sitting in boxes, it was a great pleasure to find this curated anthology free on Amazon for Amazon Prime Members. The Far Reaches is an anthology of six original stories from some of the most popular authors of 21st Century Sci-Fi. The theme of the anthology seems to be Deep Space and Time.
I was really impressed by the quality of the stories. They were clearly and compellingly written, full of great sci-fi ideas and interesting characters. A transparency to the prose was also evident and contributed to the speed at which I consumed the stories.
Two Stories Become the First Stories from 2023 to Make The Great List:
How It Unfolds. By James S. A. Corey. A small group of scientists are duplicated and sent across the universe(folded), only to discover that very few of them have survived. As they attempt to learn how to make the most of their existence, voices of their alternate selves lead one man - Roy - to grapple with the romantic pain he was unable to leave behind.
Falling Bodies. By Rebecca Roanhorse. Nature vs Nurture is examined against a backdrop of colonialism, conquest, and the youthful desire for self expression. Ira is a human raised by a senator of the conquering Genteel. Now he is on probation for a horrible crime. An anonymous student at a far distant university, he must stay quiet and unremarkable, even while being drawn to a group of rebellious humans.
THE FAR REACHES
6 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 0 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
How It Unfolds. By James S. A. Corey
Great. A small group of scientists are duplicated and sent across the universe(folded), only to discover that very few of them have survived. As they attempt to learn how to make the most of their existence, voices of their alternate selves lead one man - Roy - to grapple with the romantic pain he was unable to leave behind.
Void. By Veronica Roth
Good. A pleasantly cozy murder mystery set on a FTL ship that transports passengers while also distorting time for those one board. Very readable.
Falling Bodies. By Rebecca Roanhorse
Great. Nature vs Nurture is examined against a backdrop of colonialism, conquest, and the youthful desire for self expression. Ira is a human raised by a senator of the conquering Genteel. Now he is on probation for a horrible crime. An anonymous student at a far distant university, he must stay quiet and unremarkable, even while being drawn to a group of rebellious humans.
The Long Game. By Ann Leckie
Good. A “Mousy, Slug Thing” works its short life in service of humans. When it discovers the truth of human life spans, an obsession is born.
Just Out of Jupiter's Reach. By Nnedi Okorafor
Good. Only seven people on Earth have the genetics to meld with the spaceships that are grown for solo explorations of space. 10 years of solitude for a wealthy future. Five years into the job, the seven get a week to come together. Really great starting idea for a novel that I’d like to read, but the story ends to abruptly with to much happening.
Slow Time Between the Stars. By John Scalzi
Good. The interior monologue of a sentient spaceship assigned to discover a habitable world and rebuild the human species on it.
