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Stories from New Tibet
Breaking the Ice: Stories from New Tibet
These are the tales of New Tibet, an arctic world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals struggling against poverty, organized crime, and the bleak weather to find a spark of hope. Escape is nearly impossible, and even those who get close find that it is sometimes no more than an illusion... Called Highly Recommended by Elizabeth Barrette in a January 2002 review for Spicy Green Iguana.
This first volume in the series features:
Dead End by Samuel C. Conway
A Prison of Clouds by Tim Susman
Nightswimming by David Andrew Cowan
Array of Hope by David Richards
Touch of Gray by Jeff Eddy, and
Skin Deep (a novella) by "2"
Cover and interior illustrations by Odis Holcomb.
This first volume in the series features:
Dead End by Samuel C. Conway
A Prison of Clouds by Tim Susman
Nightswimming by David Andrew Cowan
Array of Hope by David Richards
Touch of Gray by Jeff Eddy, and
Skin Deep (a novella) by "2"
Cover and interior illustrations by Odis Holcomb.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 5, 2017
A wonderful collection of tales set in an anthropomorphic shared universe that is sadly no longer in use by its creator.
Each story within takes place on the hostile colony world of New Tibet, where life is cheap and there is seldom an escape.
The stories evoke a seedy, grimy existence, with characters taking their joy and solace however they can, or trying to find a way off of the planet. Not necessarily a read for those who would prefer happy endings.
The world created here is endlessly fascinating. Threads dangle from the tapestry and tickle the reader's imagination.
I would dearly love to see this universe return in some form again. Between this, and the novel Common and Precious by Mr. Susman, I can think of few other worlds I'm so very curious about learning more of.
Each story within takes place on the hostile colony world of New Tibet, where life is cheap and there is seldom an escape.
The stories evoke a seedy, grimy existence, with characters taking their joy and solace however they can, or trying to find a way off of the planet. Not necessarily a read for those who would prefer happy endings.
The world created here is endlessly fascinating. Threads dangle from the tapestry and tickle the reader's imagination.
I would dearly love to see this universe return in some form again. Between this, and the novel Common and Precious by Mr. Susman, I can think of few other worlds I'm so very curious about learning more of.
August 25, 2011
A good story keeps you reading. A great story impacts you emotionally and sticks with you for years to come. Tim Susman has done that with "Breaking the Ice". A wonderful arrangement of stories about a frigid planet that offers opportunity, yet corruption and greed have made it a dreary place to live. And now, those who were seeking the chance at a better life are just trying find a sliver of happiness, escape the planet, or simply survive. Stories like “A Prison of Clouds” will show you two characters who are filled with love and hope, even when times are tough and it seems like there’s no escape from the dismal, frigid planet. Yet a story like “Skin Deep” will pull you into the dark world of an assassin who’s forced to make a haunting choice that will stick in your psyche for a very long time. I still think about that ending to this day. It was a great read, and I recommend it to anyone that loves anthropomorphic fiction.
February 17, 2018
One of the best, most touching, atmospheric, desperate furry anthologies I ever read. Thrilling, shocking, mesmerizing, inspiring. Connected through true love, romance and the deep yearning wish to escape for the sake of finding a better life..somewhere beyond.
One of a few books that ever made me cry for real. Extraordinary!
One of a few books that ever made me cry for real. Extraordinary!
February 19, 2019
Some stories are great. Some are decent. However, the 2 amazing stories here make this book worth your time.
May 18, 2016
This is a collection of short stories about anthropomorphic animals (yes, by which I mean furries) set on a dystopic icy space colony called New Tibet. Now, I love me some worldbuilding, so I was sold because it is a space colony with non-human people and yes please! Unfortunately, the stories were heavier on the angst than they were on the worldbuilding. I do like angst, but a lot of these felt kind of samey.
I did like the prologue and epilogue, which presented news articles from the universe the stories are set in, and bookended the whole thing rather nicely. No star rating because they were too short, but fun nonetheless.
The first story, "Dead End," set up the tone pretty well. Written from the perspective of a vulture bartender, it was cheerfully creepy and full of gallows humor, and gave us a good non-angst-filled look at how New Tibet actually works. Four stars.
"A Prison of Clouds" is the next story; it's about a fox couple who are working to get away from New Tibet together. It is a story of angst and love and angst and violent debtors and angst and also it is kind of depressing. I liked it a lot? But I've read a lot of Harry Potter slash fiction with this basic plotline. On the other hand, I've read a lot of it because I do like the plotline, and it's well-executed here, so if you like angst, go for it. Four stars.
"Nightswimming" was a story about starcrossed interspecies love. It was not really my thing. I guess in this setting it's taboo to date outside your anthro!species, but I was never really sold on this being important to anyone but the heroine's father. Also, I rarely have sympathy for anyone who chooses to wander about in an Arctic setting with inadequate clothing. Two stars.
"Array of Hope" is the other side of "A Prison of Clouds" -- what happens when love interferes with one's desire to get the hell out of New Tibet, and the protagonist doesn't choose love? Again, well-excecuted, and I'm a sucker for angst, although I feel like the ending could have used a little more oomph. Three stars.
"Touch of Gray" was... weird. I enjoyed reading it and probably would have liked it better in a differently-themed collection, but it introduced an element I didn't think fit well into the theme of New Tibet as dystopia, which I won't mention here because it's a huge spoiler. It was an interesting concept, but context matters to me. Three stars.
"Skin Deep" was a long, detailed, angsty story, which went back to the theme of having to make choices between love and survival, and happiness and ethics. It was another one that felt like I'd read the slashfic already (even though the pairing in the story was technically het) -- a cold-blooded hired killer has a secret romantic/caretaking relationship with someone sweet and naive and blind, who can never know the true darkness of the killer's soul! I found Narr, the blind vixen, to be gratingly naive, although I was glad that she at least knew her lover wasn't quite all he said he was. The execution was good, but unfortunately I do not have a weakness for this particular plotline, soooo I can only give this one three stars.
I did like the prologue and epilogue, which presented news articles from the universe the stories are set in, and bookended the whole thing rather nicely. No star rating because they were too short, but fun nonetheless.
The first story, "Dead End," set up the tone pretty well. Written from the perspective of a vulture bartender, it was cheerfully creepy and full of gallows humor, and gave us a good non-angst-filled look at how New Tibet actually works. Four stars.
"A Prison of Clouds" is the next story; it's about a fox couple who are working to get away from New Tibet together. It is a story of angst and love and angst and violent debtors and angst and also it is kind of depressing. I liked it a lot? But I've read a lot of Harry Potter slash fiction with this basic plotline. On the other hand, I've read a lot of it because I do like the plotline, and it's well-executed here, so if you like angst, go for it. Four stars.
"Nightswimming" was a story about starcrossed interspecies love. It was not really my thing. I guess in this setting it's taboo to date outside your anthro!species, but I was never really sold on this being important to anyone but the heroine's father. Also, I rarely have sympathy for anyone who chooses to wander about in an Arctic setting with inadequate clothing. Two stars.
"Array of Hope" is the other side of "A Prison of Clouds" -- what happens when love interferes with one's desire to get the hell out of New Tibet, and the protagonist doesn't choose love? Again, well-excecuted, and I'm a sucker for angst, although I feel like the ending could have used a little more oomph. Three stars.
"Touch of Gray" was... weird. I enjoyed reading it and probably would have liked it better in a differently-themed collection, but it introduced an element I didn't think fit well into the theme of New Tibet as dystopia, which I won't mention here because it's a huge spoiler. It was an interesting concept, but context matters to me. Three stars.
"Skin Deep" was a long, detailed, angsty story, which went back to the theme of having to make choices between love and survival, and happiness and ethics. It was another one that felt like I'd read the slashfic already (even though the pairing in the story was technically het) -- a cold-blooded hired killer has a secret romantic/caretaking relationship with someone sweet and naive and blind, who can never know the true darkness of the killer's soul! I found Narr, the blind vixen, to be gratingly naive, although I was glad that she at least knew her lover wasn't quite all he said he was. The execution was good, but unfortunately I do not have a weakness for this particular plotline, soooo I can only give this one three stars.
January 6, 2016
Great collection of short stories set in a sci-fi(ish) setting. New Tibet is an partially colonized planet that promises wealth and riches to those who arrive, only to have them sink into poverty and despair once they do. Companies make it rich off the planet's resources while the citizens struggle through the eternal cold and frost.
All of the characters are anthropomorphic animals and their animal instincts are captured pretty well. Better by some authors then others.
The subject of the stories are diverse but one of the ruling gangs in New Tibet is guaranteed to make an appearance or at least be mentioned.
The despair and hopelessness of the city and the inhabitants is captured very well. The sci fi elements are blended in but never forced or difficult to believe.
I great enjoyed this book and recommend it not only to fans of anthropomorphic animals but to all sci fi fans looking for a good anthology to read.
All of the characters are anthropomorphic animals and their animal instincts are captured pretty well. Better by some authors then others.
The subject of the stories are diverse but one of the ruling gangs in New Tibet is guaranteed to make an appearance or at least be mentioned.
The despair and hopelessness of the city and the inhabitants is captured very well. The sci fi elements are blended in but never forced or difficult to believe.
I great enjoyed this book and recommend it not only to fans of anthropomorphic animals but to all sci fi fans looking for a good anthology to read.
August 5, 2011
Each and every one of the stories in this anthology stuck with me after I finished reading it. An awesome collective effort. Recommended for both furry and fringe-furry audiences
February 13, 2014
Well written furry fiction.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews