This is the first short story collection that has ever made its way onto the Ebook Apothecary. There are a total of five stories in this book, all of which take place in the same world.
“Changes – After three decades of painstaking research Dr. Richard O’Brian has decoded the genetic structure of mammals and can change one mammal into another while making their immune system invulnerable to all disease. The discovery seems well timed when an outbreak of a deadly recombinant strain of H1N1 is discovered in India. But is it?
The Trickster – It’s Shanara Fox’s wedding day and the Trickster wants only one thing, Shanara herself. The Trickster has never been bested but Shanara has some tricks of her own.
Karma – Brightcloud is a wolf who is shunned by her pack because of her “deformities.” In striking out on her own she finds welcome in another pack and shows them that Karma truly does exist.
Challenge – What do you do when your best friend challenges you to a duel?
The Bottle – Grendal finds himself marooned on a small deserted island and discovers a note in a bottle. The note makes no sense, instructing him to destroy his only chance of rescue in order to be rescued. Does he have faith in the note or rely on common sense?”
When I initially started reading this I was I expecting to find something more or less fantasy, but the first story is undeniably science fiction. The first story, Changes, sets the stage for the rest of them, creating a world that is completely unique. It is more of a novella than a short story and takes up about 50% of the book.
The remaining stories have more of a fantasy bent to them and take place in the all-new world that is revealed in Changes. They are also a completely different style; they reminded me of folk tales, but more for grown-ups than the whole family. Some are more serious, like Karma, and some like Challenge are brief entertaining episodes that reveal a small fragment of the dynamics between the rather one-of-a-kind characters that Gene Wolf has created.
Even though short stories aren’t usually my first choice to sit down and read I found myself enjoying them regardless. There are a few typos here and there, mostly in the form of a letter missing or something like that.
/5
Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, this ebook can only be downloaded on Amazon
I hope you enjoyed this review and I shall see you Tuesday; I’ll be bringing a book trailer with me!
I know I feel the same way. These types of books are not even the style I look for, but when I started reading one then another I found I couldn’t stop. I have read a total of 4. Each better than the last. I started with The First Groundling Skydancer that leads to Trick and Treats. In that you discover how it all ties in with the first. Just amazing because you say to your self awwwww now I get it… Then the Flag, what a great ending (maybe)not sure if another story will come after. These stories are ones I would read even to my Grandchildren. Last one was Love is Golden. Not at all like the others but just as good. Cant wait to get another!!
Will add this one to my “To Read Next” List…Thanks!
Thanks so much for the comments! :)
Well I did read the book “Changes”…and was quite pleased with it….an enjoyable read, interesting and also thought provoking….read the next one also….thanks for recomending them…