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Fireflies
4 pages, Online Fiction
First published November 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 22, 2011
This was going to be four stars and then I read the last half-dozen sentences. Some stories can be just very good until they make the point, and the point creeps up on you at the end and whacks you over the head like an unexpected frying pan attack.
Yeah, it's good, the world building is quite adept for such a short piece, four stars, four stars, end of story BANG! Five stars.
Well done, Cory.
Yeah, it's good, the world building is quite adept for such a short piece, four stars, four stars, end of story BANG! Five stars.
Well done, Cory.
November 3, 2011
I usually don't enjoy short stories. I find it difficult to relate to characters in such a short amount of time. However, there is something about the characters in Fireflies. I'm not sure if it's their robbed innocence, the resolute acceptance of their grim fate, or the beautifully, soul disturbing ending. You know? It's more than likely all three. I found myself wanting more of those characters. I wanted to know what happened to them. If these are the sort of stories Cory Archie invents, then sign me up for more! This short story is very well done.
More reviews and more at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
November 1, 2011
This is really quite lovely, in a depressingly believable way. I love dialogue as a storytelling technique, and Cory uses it beautifully: the descriptions are sparse and elegantly to the point, with most of the story and even the worldbuilding carried in short, untagged lines of dialogue.
As for the worldbuilding, well, it feels like the kind of thing modern society would degenerate to: groups of people hiding from the deadly world outside, living in what seems to me like a fever-dream of sex and drugs and loud music even as the rest of the planet and human civilization falls apart or explodes beyond their little enclave.
The final image is truly haunting - a gorgeous combination of imagery and quiet sadness.
Congratulations, Cory; this is a story to be proud of.
As for the worldbuilding, well, it feels like the kind of thing modern society would degenerate to: groups of people hiding from the deadly world outside, living in what seems to me like a fever-dream of sex and drugs and loud music even as the rest of the planet and human civilization falls apart or explodes beyond their little enclave.
The final image is truly haunting - a gorgeous combination of imagery and quiet sadness.
Congratulations, Cory; this is a story to be proud of.
May 27, 2016
Jess doesn’t move. I look to Noah. He’s focused on the sky.
“I’ve seen this so many times. But not from up here.”
It looks like a supernova, or the northern lights. But it isn’t.
This story is just so very sad.
Available online.
*Read this for our May Short Story Month Marathon, a personal challenge during which Sandra and I will be going through our short story collection.
March 4, 2019
This isn't a story so much as a short scene written to set off a striking bit of imagery. There are hints of character development, but the story's really too short for that to go anywhere. We get an idea of the world the characters are living in, but there's really no story, other than the main character moving through the city to find her friend.
The writing isn't terrible, but the editing could use some work. It was a bit confusing at times trying to figure out who was speaking, due to the lack of dialogue tags. There was even one instance where a second character started speaking in the same paragraph, which further added to the confusion. Let's not forget Noel... who became Noah partway through the story. It definitely needs to be polished a little more.
This could've been the beginning of something intriguing. Alas, that's all it is: a beginning.
The writing isn't terrible, but the editing could use some work. It was a bit confusing at times trying to figure out who was speaking, due to the lack of dialogue tags. There was even one instance where a second character started speaking in the same paragraph, which further added to the confusion. Let's not forget Noel... who became Noah partway through the story. It definitely needs to be polished a little more.
This could've been the beginning of something intriguing. Alas, that's all it is: a beginning.
November 1, 2011
"Fireflies" is the kind of short story that reminds me how certain dystopian works, no matter their length, really can resonate and make you ponder the present world around you. Could Kate's world exist? The possibility is there, and that's the frightening part that should always been present at the back of your mind whenever you read a dystopian tale.
Read it, contemplate, and hope that your own future will never reach such a point.
Read it, contemplate, and hope that your own future will never reach such a point.
July 26, 2016
I don't get it. I also don't get the positive reviews.
November 20, 2011
Succinct. Dark. Powerful. Unsettling.
This tersely told short story is somewhat startling in it's brevity, yet does not lack in impact. Thought-provoking and resonant, it's a grim vision of the future - the matter-of-fact style of narration adding to the bleakness of the setting.
A lingering, sharp short story.
This tersely told short story is somewhat startling in it's brevity, yet does not lack in impact. Thought-provoking and resonant, it's a grim vision of the future - the matter-of-fact style of narration adding to the bleakness of the setting.
A lingering, sharp short story.
February 3, 2012
It wasn't bad, but I can't say I was thrilled after reading it. It was kind of depressing and a little confusing at the beggining but it was a nice story. Only in a few paragraphs we had a world built and we learned some key things about the characters and their every day life.
Apart from the last few lines that indicated it was a short story (and I must congratulate Cory for an amazing closing line) it seemed more like part of a novel. I was expecting to learn something more about those people, or what exactly happened, but when I reached the end of the story, everything was clear. We didn't need to learn more. We saw friendship, devotion, survival and wistfulness for a better future, all in a single scene. Almost like looking at a painting and discovering the story behind it.
Nice work Cory
Apart from the last few lines that indicated it was a short story (and I must congratulate Cory for an amazing closing line) it seemed more like part of a novel. I was expecting to learn something more about those people, or what exactly happened, but when I reached the end of the story, everything was clear. We didn't need to learn more. We saw friendship, devotion, survival and wistfulness for a better future, all in a single scene. Almost like looking at a painting and discovering the story behind it.
Nice work Cory
April 29, 2015
Not sure why all the glowing reviews. I failed to see how this shorter than short story might have induced crying.
I refuse to accept that short stories can't have that wow impact, but so far it seems like any I've read just don't leave me all that impressed.
The story was a bit confusing in the beginning (it's a short story--why does an author feel the need to make the writing so vague?). I could see this benefitting from being a little bit longer and really going into why this particular world was the way it was and exploring the characters backgrounds. The author wrote an interesting character, Noel ( the name he starts the story with but somehow ends up being Noah by the end) and I found him to be the only reason why this is not getting one star from me.
Great cover.
I refuse to accept that short stories can't have that wow impact, but so far it seems like any I've read just don't leave me all that impressed.
The story was a bit confusing in the beginning (it's a short story--why does an author feel the need to make the writing so vague?). I could see this benefitting from being a little bit longer and really going into why this particular world was the way it was and exploring the characters backgrounds. The author wrote an interesting character, Noel ( the name he starts the story with but somehow ends up being Noah by the end) and I found him to be the only reason why this is not getting one star from me.
Great cover.
January 21, 2013
This is a short story, that can be found on the web to read here. I'll admit that I went to read this story because I was annoyed at some comments made by the author and hoped it would be bad so I could take him down.
Unfortunately (or fortunately?), the story is damn good. The world is dark and desolate, penciled in only lightly by an unreliable narrator , and therefore is even more fascinating. There are so many questions unanswered, so many answers only hinted at, that it leaves the reader wanting more. How did the world become this way? Who are these people? How do they relate? Who is the narrator, really? People seem to know her, but she doesn't know herself. Just... beautifully written. And the only error I could find was a misplaced quote mark at the end of a narrative sentence.
Because I find the author abrasive, I'm not sure if I'll seek out future works by him, although I have certainly overlooked graver mistakes by authors whose work I enjoy. If you're a fan of dystopian fiction and flash fiction, stop over and read this short story. It won't take you long, and I think you'll be impressed.
Unfortunately (or fortunately?), the story is damn good. The world is dark and desolate, penciled in only lightly by an unreliable narrator , and therefore is even more fascinating. There are so many questions unanswered, so many answers only hinted at, that it leaves the reader wanting more. How did the world become this way? Who are these people? How do they relate? Who is the narrator, really? People seem to know her, but she doesn't know herself. Just... beautifully written. And the only error I could find was a misplaced quote mark at the end of a narrative sentence.
Because I find the author abrasive, I'm not sure if I'll seek out future works by him, although I have certainly overlooked graver mistakes by authors whose work I enjoy. If you're a fan of dystopian fiction and flash fiction, stop over and read this short story. It won't take you long, and I think you'll be impressed.
October 23, 2024
I cried when they couldn’t find you,” he says. “They said you died when the building collapsed.
“I didn’t.”
“Obviously.” He spits again. “I looked for you.”
“We were friends?”
“Yes. Yes, we were. Good friends.”
“I can’t remember.”
“I know. No one does.” He doesn’t sound bitter. I wish he did. Then I could apologize.
Cute little story about a nuclear bomb(??). some parts were a bit unclear to me. i liked the writers voice for Jess. other than that, i wish i had more context. its not really a short story, but maybe a blurb??? it has potential tho.
“I didn’t.”
“Obviously.” He spits again. “I looked for you.”
“We were friends?”
“Yes. Yes, we were. Good friends.”
“I can’t remember.”
“I know. No one does.” He doesn’t sound bitter. I wish he did. Then I could apologize.
Cute little story about a nuclear bomb(??). some parts were a bit unclear to me. i liked the writers voice for Jess. other than that, i wish i had more context. its not really a short story, but maybe a blurb??? it has potential tho.
August 24, 2012
This is so amazing.
I don't even know how to describe this to you. It may have been less than 1,500 words, but it's some of the finest post-apocalyptic fiction I've read. It was bleak, realistic, got me all misty-eyed, I cared about the characters and their situation . . . but most importantly of all:
I wanted more. I wanted to read a whole book about these characters, and what they were going through and what happened before the story took place and what would happen after the grim ending.
Seriously, this will take you a minute to read. Just click the link on the GoodReads page, and I'll even provide it to you at the end of this review. Why are you even still here?
Go read it.
http://www.undergroundvoices.com/UVAr...
I don't even know how to describe this to you. It may have been less than 1,500 words, but it's some of the finest post-apocalyptic fiction I've read. It was bleak, realistic, got me all misty-eyed, I cared about the characters and their situation . . . but most importantly of all:
I wanted more. I wanted to read a whole book about these characters, and what they were going through and what happened before the story took place and what would happen after the grim ending.
Seriously, this will take you a minute to read. Just click the link on the GoodReads page, and I'll even provide it to you at the end of this review. Why are you even still here?
Go read it.
http://www.undergroundvoices.com/UVAr...
June 4, 2012
I actually read this while listening to some piano music.
I didn't know exactly what was going on, but it still left me with a certain kind of sadness that will not go away for a while.
Some of the current dystopian novels out there are crappy, but this short andsweet sad story defines the genre completely.
The last sentences at the end . . . beautifully haunting.
I didn't know exactly what was going on, but it still left me with a certain kind of sadness that will not go away for a while.
Some of the current dystopian novels out there are crappy, but this short and
The last sentences at the end . . . beautifully haunting.
March 16, 2016
Too many questions left unanswered, even for a short story. Even the imagery everyone seems to be raving about is just ok. I'm not sure what all these 5* ratings are for. The story just isn't really a story...maybe the first few paragraphs of one, but not a full story on its own.
March 8, 2017
Fantastic story. Just enough information to get you really thinking about the world where this takes place.
August 24, 2012
I was sort of confused at the beginning but I was okay with it. Given that this is a short story (weighing in at less than 1,500 words), I don't blame the lack of description.
I really enjoyed Noah's (Noel's) story because it was as if his story carried a sense of foreboding and doom.
This short story could have gotten more stars if Kate and Jess' stories had packed the same oomph as Noah's. In the end, I felt like something was missing, something that I can't really put my fingers on...
There was one bit of the story that irked me a little, just a teeny weeny bit:
"Above, a message fires in the sky. It glows red and leaves an after-mark.
Jess could be anywhere.
“Do you have two credits?”
I look up. There's a boy standing in front of me. His hair is cut short and his face is dirty."
Wait, what? She was looking up at the sky then a boy, who is standing in front of her, asks her something and she looks up? Hmmm...I was confused about that.
Anyways, you can read the short story here and voice your own opinion about it.
I really enjoyed Noah's (Noel's) story because it was as if his story carried a sense of foreboding and doom.
This short story could have gotten more stars if Kate and Jess' stories had packed the same oomph as Noah's. In the end, I felt like something was missing, something that I can't really put my fingers on...
There was one bit of the story that irked me a little, just a teeny weeny bit:
"Above, a message fires in the sky. It glows red and leaves an after-mark.
Jess could be anywhere.
“Do you have two credits?”
I look up. There's a boy standing in front of me. His hair is cut short and his face is dirty."
Wait, what? She was looking up at the sky then a boy, who is standing in front of her, asks her something and she looks up? Hmmm...I was confused about that.
Anyways, you can read the short story here and voice your own opinion about it.
November 3, 2011
A really good short story. Amazing writing. I wanted more, though, especially from Noah. Seriously, such a great, interesting, tragic supporting character. He was very intriguing to me, more so than the narrator or her wayward friend Jess. However, this is an intentionally very sparse short story; I feel like I'm missing the point criticising anything about the character development. I loved the writing - it was so elegant, chilly and atmospheric. However, the stripped down nature of the writing just makes it feel very confusing towards the middle. Also, Noah is such an excellent character that I felt sad thinking he was only in one very short short. I didn't really get where Noah and Jess and Kate were. However, the ending was great. I really liked it.
March 13, 2012
I don't really read short stories but this is possibly the best dystopian I've read.
If Cory Archie can do all that in a short story, you dystopian novelists need to crouch in a corner and rethink your choices.
How does one create a world, simply a dystopian world, with no tyrannical governments after you, or rebel groups, but just a dystopian world with people just wanting to survive? Imagine if this author wrote a novel. THE GLORY.
It was so beautiful and yes, if you have read the other reviews, the last few sentences will have you gripping the computer tightly after being blasted with such. an. ending. *breaks down in sobs*
Now go click on the url and read it. NOW.
If Cory Archie can do all that in a short story, you dystopian novelists need to crouch in a corner and rethink your choices.
How does one create a world, simply a dystopian world, with no tyrannical governments after you, or rebel groups, but just a dystopian world with people just wanting to survive? Imagine if this author wrote a novel. THE GLORY.
It was so beautiful and yes, if you have read the other reviews, the last few sentences will have you gripping the computer tightly after being blasted with such. an. ending. *breaks down in sobs*
Now go click on the url and read it. NOW.
August 30, 2014
I was quite startled by the abrupt ending not sure what to expect when all of the reviews said "short story" in which this is a short story. Although it's length could stretch into the embrace of a full novel, it captured the image of a dystopian book quite well. I liked the comparison of bombs to the title of the story which is obvious in the cover art but it's nice either or. The ending left me with absolutely nothing and I wasn't sure what to think and so I didn't think much and completely forgot about it.
August 24, 2016
Short stories aren't really my thing but I checked it out because it looked interesting. Personally, I couldn't get into the story because the writing style just didn't suit ME, pretty much every sentence was too short and cut off any chance of flow (just my own preference). The story itself was interesting, with intriguing characters (Noel/Noah reminded me of Sam from Jellicoe Road, tbh).
July 17, 2016
Very short work of online fiction that follows a young women living in a post nuclear world as she attempts to find her friend. Though short, the story is full of emotion and feels extremely realistic. Without including spoilers, the allusion of the final screen is poignant because of the hopelessness and despair it conveys.
May 2, 2015
This should be a book. Because, frankly, it's ten times better than half of those other dystopian/post-apocalyptic books out there right now. And this is a very short story.
A very amazing one at that.
A very amazing one at that.
June 23, 2014
A really interesting snippet of an apocalyptic world but really that's all it is. It feels more like a outtake from another novel than a story that stands on its own. It delivers some excellent imagery at the end there but otherwise it just feels odd.
January 11, 2016
That was awesome.
In such a short story, I managed to get attached to the characters, see a very interesting world being built, get more questions than answers, and feel all the feels.
Kudos to you, author.
In such a short story, I managed to get attached to the characters, see a very interesting world being built, get more questions than answers, and feel all the feels.
Kudos to you, author.
November 1, 2011
lol, I read this. No, no it isn't quite five stars, 4.5, I enjoyed it very much and will add to the list of reviews I must write later.
April 26, 2016
This was really heart wrenching :*( What a beautiful world this author created, look forward to reading more!
December 26, 2016
Nice and atmospheric, but very slight. Plenty of interesting questions, but a couple of answers would have been nice. Still, the brevity and price make it worth a look.
November 3, 2011
Amazing! Well written!
Great story Cory!
Great story Cory!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews