Große Empfehlung. Eines der Bücher, das mich dieses Jahr am meisten beeindruckt hat. N.K. Jemisin ist erzählerisch einfach eine Wucht und DIE Meisterin bei SciFi/Worldbuilding/Storytelling ... unglaublich gut. Und so vielseitig, ich könnte selbst einen Roman darüber schreiben, wie gut dieses Buch ist. Stattdessen einfach reine Empfehlung für einen meiner Favoriten 2021.

Most short story collections include some stories that you love and a few that you don’t get along with – which is perfectly normal. However, this one was different because I loved nearly every story. Each story has a unique idea and well, I didn't now that I could get addicted to short stories by one author but I did. The 22 fantasy short stories sometimes have a historical and sometimes a futuristic setting,and with regard to the fact that fantasy and science fiction are still mostly dominated by white men, it was great to have stories with black characters. Colonialism is one of the central themes that is often dealt with rather subtly, but still impressively. Some literally - I loved "The Effluent Engine" which is set in historic New Orleans and which is awesomely queer and has great characters. Though all of the stories do. Other stories deal with colonialism in a rather abstract way but it's still there. Another recurring theme is a world in which humanity is nearly or entirely extinguished, and N. J. Jemisin manages to really show the emotional depth behind this. Of being left behind, of being alone, of hope and dreams and desperation. About all the mistakes humans made and make. About redemption and identity and about choosing sometimes. And this is not always as predictable as it seems. Actually, none of the stories is predictable. There are so many unusual choices that make the stories even more interesting. And I loved to discover a new awesome idea with every story. Some weave in magic rather silently, others in a destructive way. There are cities which have a soul, there is powerful cooking, virtual reality, and lizards. And so much more. Overall, I loved all the exceptional ideas that are incredibly cool and that show the wonderful potential of fantasy and science fiction. Of all the possibilities and magic and change. Definetely a recommendation.

Ehrlich gesagt kann ich dieses Buch gar nicht wirklich bewerten. Es gibt so viele Geschichten darin und da ich mit einigen nichts anfangen konnte, andere super interessant fand und noch andere etwas dazwischen, fällt es mir schwer alles in einem zusammen zu fassen. Insgesamt waren es aber viele kreative Ideen, was das Buch eindeutig lesenwert macht.