Flame Tree Studio (Literature and Science)

A deluxe edition of new writing and neglected perspectives. This latest offering in the Flame Tree Gothic fantasy series focuses on an area of science fiction which has not received the attention it deserves. Many of the themes in Sci-fi reveal the world as it is to others, show us how to improve it, and give voice to the many different expressions of a future for humankind. Dystopia, apocalypse, gene-splicing, cloning and colonization are explored here by new authors and combined with writing of an older tradition whose first-hand experience of slavery and denial created their living dystopia. The Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Talescollections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

Black Sci-Fi Short Stories

Monri

Anthology rate: 2.5⭐


This anthology caught my attention due to the combination of themes such as; apocalyptic worlds and dystopia and biotechnology integration; cloning, etc. In a nutshell, everything I like. As in every anthology, I'll make a short review for each story mentioning what I liked and what didn't work for me.

Personally, I didn't like this anthology so much, I thought it would have a more futuristic approach but it wasn't like that, also the sci-fi theme was almost non-existent.

 An Empty, Hollow Interview by James Beamon 
3⭐
It was a good take on genetic recombination but the story was a little boring, it would be interesting to read a book on that subject because of the potential it has. Being a short story it's obvious that the concept will be difficult to express, however, I think the goal was clearly understood.

 The Comet by W.E.B. Du Bois 
1⭐
The plot sounded interesting but it was just confusing, a man and a woman are the only ones in New York after a paranormal phenomenon happened and they all disappeared, honestly the story didn't have a specific objective and it was difficult to follow, especially that ending ruined it.

 Élan Vital by K. Tempest Bradford 
4⭐
This story was very interesting, it's about how in the future you can revive the dead to be with them a little more, of course, it's not permanent and has its limits, our protagonist risks them to talk to her mother who died of cancer, the story is very cute and sad, I really liked especially the ending, I would love to read more about this world.

 The Orb by Tara Campbell 
DNF
The start was a bit slow and it couldn't grab my attention. 

 Blake, or The Huts of America by Martin R. Delany 
DNF
I read till 50% and let me tell you that this story is very long, the plot is interesting but it didn't catch my attention, also the writing was strange given the time it takes place. I can personally see many people liking this story but it wasn't for me.

 The Floating City of Pengimbang by Michelle F. Goddard 
3⭐
The story was interesting and the world was creative, but I felt that it didn't have a very clear objective, even so, it was a good story that I would like to see more developed definitely.

 The New Colossuses by Harambee K. Gray-Sun 
2⭐
This was a rare story in all the expressions of the word, I feel like it was difficult to understand. At first, it grabbed me because the beginning was incredible but as I read the story it progressed quite peculiarly (weird), I feel that the length was very short and therefore it wasn't easy to handle.

 Imperium in Empire by Sutton E. Griggs 
2.5⭐
Another longer story than I expected, I personally didn't like it, because it's rare that I like historical plots, but the message and the writing are very good and create a harmonious story that is worth reading. I must say that it has many exhausting descriptions, we don't need to know every detail of a person or a room, that made me quite stressed especially at the beginning.

 Seven Thieves by Emmalia Harrington 
1⭐
Honestly, it was very boring and I didn't have a specific objective, the writing was confusing just like the plot.

 Of One Blood Or, The Hidden Self by Pauline Hopkins 
3.5⭐
The plot was interesting, it had a bit of everything, the characters are charming and the theme is very good, I really liked it. This is another of the long stories in the book, so it's easy to connect with the story and get into it.

 Space Traitors by Walidah Imarisha 
2⭐
This cannot be a more American book because it would be impossible, I love the subject of aliens and it caught my attention, but like the American society immediately stopped being science fiction and became something political. It had a lot of potentials and given the way it ended I suppose it will be a book, I'm honestly not interested in reading it.

 Seven Thieves by Emmalia Harrington 
1⭐
It was honestly very boring and it didn't have a specific objective, the writing was confusing just like the plot.

 Of One Blood Or, The Hidden Self by Pauline Hopkins 
3.5⭐
The plot was interesting, it had a bit of everything, the characters were charming and the theme was very good, I really liked it. This is another of the long stories in the book, so it's easy to connect with the story and get into it.

 Space Traitors by Walidah Imarisha 
2⭐
This cannot be a more American book because it would be impossible, I love the subject of aliens and it caught my attention, but like the American society immediately stopped being science fiction and became political, way too political. It had a lot of potentials and given the way it ended I suppose it will be a book, that I'm honestly not interested in reading it.

 The Line of Demarcation by Patty Nicole Johnson 
2⭐
I think this is the beginning of a book as a preview, it caught me but it was very fast and, although the world and plot sound very interesting they aren't explained properly, I would have to read a book about it to give a final opinion.

 Light Ahead for the Negro by Edward Johnson 
DNF.
It failed to catch my attention and it was boring, this is another of the long stories in the anthology.

 e-race by Russell Nichols 
1⭐
The world sounds interesting but the writing was kind of weird in some instances. The plot was boring and the main character too obnoxious, I really didn't like it.

 Giant Steps by Russell Nichols 
2⭐
This story was better than the previous one, but again the writing is somewhat strange and it was quite confusing, I liked the main character more but I didn't feel that it had a specific objective.

 Almost Too Good to Be True by Temi Oh 
2.5⭐
The story is kind of cute, but it doesn't have a specific purpose and the writing is kind of weird, it caught me but it could have been better.

 You May Run On by Megan Pindling 
2.5⭐
This was the most interesting story in terms of subject matter, but the writing was a bit odd in some instances. Personally, I found it boring and at first it didn't have a clear objective.

 Suffering Inside, But Still I Soar by Sylvie Soul 
3⭐
I think this is the plot that has entertained me the most and that it finally follows the sci-fi theme. Although unfortunately, the writing was horrible and the protagonist not pleasant.


  My thanks to all the authors, Flame Tree Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to get this ARC for an unbiased review.

Black Sci-Fi Short Stories

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