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The Long Game
An inquisitive life-form finds there’s more to existence than they ever dreamed in an imaginative short story by New York Times bestselling and Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Ann Leckie.
On a far-off colony, humans tower over the local species who grow the plants they need. Narr keeps the workers in line—someone has to. But when Narr learns just how short-lived their species is, the little alien embarks on a big to find out why their people die and how to stop it. Stubborn and hopeful, Narr has a plan for the locals, for humans, and for the future.
Ann Leckie’s The Long Game is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
On a far-off colony, humans tower over the local species who grow the plants they need. Narr keeps the workers in line—someone has to. But when Narr learns just how short-lived their species is, the little alien embarks on a big to find out why their people die and how to stop it. Stubborn and hopeful, Narr has a plan for the locals, for humans, and for the future.
Ann Leckie’s The Long Game is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
July 12, 2023
I am not sure I got the "why" behind this story.
Yeah, an alien slug lifeform discovers that life would be better if it were longer and not just two years of live/reproduce/die. But why is the story written? I think it's something of an attempt to say something about the evils of capitalism and colonialism, but it doesn't say it as much as disinterestedly mumble it.
And why does it feel like an idea for a more developed, possibly longer, story stopped at the early stage -- hey, like the short-lived aliens?
🤯🤯🤯
Daaaamn....
Cute, but unsatisfying.
2.5 stars.
—————
The Far Reaches Collection, in the order read:
— ‘Slow Time Between the Stars’ by John Scalzi: Different than “usual” Scalzi fare. 3.5 stars.
— ‘How It Unfolds’ by James S.A. Corey: Lovely and beautiful. 4.5 stars.
— ‘Falling Bodies’ by Rebecca Roanhorse: Anticlimactic at best. 2 stars.
— ‘The Long Game’ by Ann Leckie: Cute but unsatisfying. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Just Out of Jupiter’s Reach’ by Nnedi Okorafor: Domesticity overload. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Void’ by Veronica Roth: Time dilation murder mystery. 4 stars.
Yeah, an alien slug lifeform discovers that life would be better if it were longer and not just two years of live/reproduce/die. But why is the story written? I think it's something of an attempt to say something about the evils of capitalism and colonialism, but it doesn't say it as much as disinterestedly mumble it.
And why does it feel like an idea for a more developed, possibly longer, story stopped at the early stage -- hey, like the short-lived aliens?
🤯🤯🤯
Daaaamn....
Cute, but unsatisfying.
2.5 stars.
—————
The Far Reaches Collection, in the order read:
— ‘Slow Time Between the Stars’ by John Scalzi: Different than “usual” Scalzi fare. 3.5 stars.
— ‘How It Unfolds’ by James S.A. Corey: Lovely and beautiful. 4.5 stars.
— ‘Falling Bodies’ by Rebecca Roanhorse: Anticlimactic at best. 2 stars.
— ‘The Long Game’ by Ann Leckie: Cute but unsatisfying. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Just Out of Jupiter’s Reach’ by Nnedi Okorafor: Domesticity overload. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Void’ by Veronica Roth: Time dilation murder mystery. 4 stars.
April 17, 2024
In a Nutshell: A sci-fi short featuring a very unusual “alien” and their dreams and disappointments. Attempt to be deep but ends up bland. Might work better for those who enjoy pointless, philosophical tales.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
This is the fourth standalone story in 'The Far Reaches’ series, described on Amazon as “a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart.”
Woohoos:
🎉 Narr – A very different kind of alien with his sentient thoughts and his optimistic desire for improvement while ensuring harmony.
🎉 The semi-colonialist vibes thanks to the human behaviour towards the species of the home planet.
🎉 Only 30 pages long. Not much wastage of time.
Hmmms:
👽 Begins great but soon ends up into a longwinded ramble about the meaning of life and how it can be extended with purpose, all of which seems like a halfbaked awareness of reality. Was bored by the pseudo-philosophical tone. (I am always bored by anything resembling philosophy! So you could say this was a ME problem.)
👽 The only “sci-fi” in this is the presence of an alien species (that has different anatomical features but sounds remarkably human) and the mention of a spaceship. But as the narration is from Narr’s first-person pov, the content feels more literary than sci-fi.
👽 Narr’s narrative voice has a forced cutesy tone, which is unusual but annoying.
👽 The story might have made a better impact on me had Narr some kind of greater awareness towards the end. But the story starts and ends with their being at the same level of ignorance and possibly even more enhanced optimism. To a middle-aged cynic such as I, this was very naïve and disappointing.
👽 Narr uses “human” to refer to Earth human beings and “person” to refer to their own species. This is very muddling!
All in all, the story had a good start but soon began to feel like a pointless exercise. Narr’s rambles and the choice of ending fail to impress. Might work better for readers who would enjoy an introspective work disguised as a sci-fi story. To me, it was mostly meh.
2 stars.
This standalone story is a part of the 'The Far Reaches’ collection, and is currently available free to Amazon Prime subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Narr is a slug-like “person” working for humans who came to their planet some years ago. The humans tower over Narr’s species in size, but within the aliens’ work group, Narr is the boss, directing their coworkers to dig and burrow in a better manner. However, when Narr discovers how shortlived their species is, they go on a mission to discover the truth about death and what can be done to extend life. Their quest involves a better future for themselves, their fellow locals, and for the humans as well. How will such a difficult journey of self-discovery pan out?
The story comes to us in Narr’s first person perspective.
This is the fourth standalone story in 'The Far Reaches’ series, described on Amazon as “a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart.”
Woohoos:
🎉 Narr – A very different kind of alien with his sentient thoughts and his optimistic desire for improvement while ensuring harmony.
🎉 The semi-colonialist vibes thanks to the human behaviour towards the species of the home planet.
🎉 Only 30 pages long. Not much wastage of time.
Hmmms:
👽 Begins great but soon ends up into a longwinded ramble about the meaning of life and how it can be extended with purpose, all of which seems like a halfbaked awareness of reality. Was bored by the pseudo-philosophical tone. (I am always bored by anything resembling philosophy! So you could say this was a ME problem.)
👽 The only “sci-fi” in this is the presence of an alien species (that has different anatomical features but sounds remarkably human) and the mention of a spaceship. But as the narration is from Narr’s first-person pov, the content feels more literary than sci-fi.
👽 Narr’s narrative voice has a forced cutesy tone, which is unusual but annoying.
👽 The story might have made a better impact on me had Narr some kind of greater awareness towards the end. But the story starts and ends with their being at the same level of ignorance and possibly even more enhanced optimism. To a middle-aged cynic such as I, this was very naïve and disappointing.
👽 Narr uses “human” to refer to Earth human beings and “person” to refer to their own species. This is very muddling!
All in all, the story had a good start but soon began to feel like a pointless exercise. Narr’s rambles and the choice of ending fail to impress. Might work better for readers who would enjoy an introspective work disguised as a sci-fi story. To me, it was mostly meh.
2 stars.
This standalone story is a part of the 'The Far Reaches’ collection, and is currently available free to Amazon Prime subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
July 24, 2025
What if the humans had to deal with us as people and not as toys?
The Long Game looks at one of the effects of colonization, in this case of other planets with indigenous species by humans, and explores how an off- chance comment can trigger ideas and plans for the long term.
“Believe me. Your species is just very short lived. But you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. And you should think about how to make sure that accomplishment doesn’t disappear after you’re gone.”
The premise and the story explore through the eyes of an indigenous species how even minor day-to-day interactions with a technologically more advanced species will inevitably effect new ideas in the indigenous people. The characters are believable, especially the ones with domineering traits, looking to increase their lifespan as a starting point, but with the ultimate end goal of dealing with human on a more equal footing. The plot and the writing serve to support the premise.
🌟🌟🌟
[3/4 star for the premise; 3/4 star for the character sketches; Half a star for the plot and themes; Half a star for the world-building; Half a star for the writing - 3 stars in total.]
The Long Game looks at one of the effects of colonization, in this case of other planets with indigenous species by humans, and explores how an off- chance comment can trigger ideas and plans for the long term.
“Believe me. Your species is just very short lived. But you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. And you should think about how to make sure that accomplishment doesn’t disappear after you’re gone.”
The premise and the story explore through the eyes of an indigenous species how even minor day-to-day interactions with a technologically more advanced species will inevitably effect new ideas in the indigenous people. The characters are believable, especially the ones with domineering traits, looking to increase their lifespan as a starting point, but with the ultimate end goal of dealing with human on a more equal footing. The plot and the writing serve to support the premise.
🌟🌟🌟
[3/4 star for the premise; 3/4 star for the character sketches; Half a star for the plot and themes; Half a star for the world-building; Half a star for the writing - 3 stars in total.]
July 13, 2023
3★
“Who put you in charge?
It makes sense. I’m the biggest. Look at you, little thing, quivering, the tentacles by your mouth trembling. Even the eggs tucked into the bases of the radioles tufted here and there on your body are shivering. You’re afraid of me.
And you should be.
I’m bigger than anybody else I’ve ever met. Well, except the humans, but, I mean, humans. They’re not exactly people, right? I don’t know what they are. But they mostly don’t get involved in that everyday stuff, like digging burrows or fetching water.”
These ‘people’ who are speaking are something different, and Narr wants to know why humans live so long – as long as ten years! Why can’t ‘people’ live that long. He talks to Leeyay, who is some kind of supervisor.
“I went and found Leeyay. They were sitting outside their house by the river. ‘Hello, Narr,’ they said when they saw me.
I said, ‘Why do people die?’
Their face did an odd thing. ‘That’s a big question for a little mousy slug.’
‘What?’
‘Never mind. Look, your question has any number of answers, some more complicated than others, and none of which would satisfy you. People die. That’s all.’”
As the story progresses and we see the characteristics of the ‘people’ and of Leeyay’s supposed purpose, we get a different picture of the dynamics. There is talk of publicity, and ‘the company’ that does things only if there’s something in it for them. Narr goes to great lengths to investigate.
Its theme of exploitation is a familiar one and as relevant now as it ever was.
This is another from Amazon Original Stories’ The Far Reaches Collection. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy for review.
“Who put you in charge?
It makes sense. I’m the biggest. Look at you, little thing, quivering, the tentacles by your mouth trembling. Even the eggs tucked into the bases of the radioles tufted here and there on your body are shivering. You’re afraid of me.
And you should be.
I’m bigger than anybody else I’ve ever met. Well, except the humans, but, I mean, humans. They’re not exactly people, right? I don’t know what they are. But they mostly don’t get involved in that everyday stuff, like digging burrows or fetching water.”
These ‘people’ who are speaking are something different, and Narr wants to know why humans live so long – as long as ten years! Why can’t ‘people’ live that long. He talks to Leeyay, who is some kind of supervisor.
“I went and found Leeyay. They were sitting outside their house by the river. ‘Hello, Narr,’ they said when they saw me.
I said, ‘Why do people die?’
Their face did an odd thing. ‘That’s a big question for a little mousy slug.’
‘What?’
‘Never mind. Look, your question has any number of answers, some more complicated than others, and none of which would satisfy you. People die. That’s all.’”
As the story progresses and we see the characteristics of the ‘people’ and of Leeyay’s supposed purpose, we get a different picture of the dynamics. There is talk of publicity, and ‘the company’ that does things only if there’s something in it for them. Narr goes to great lengths to investigate.
Its theme of exploitation is a familiar one and as relevant now as it ever was.
This is another from Amazon Original Stories’ The Far Reaches Collection. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy for review.
July 3, 2023
I was really looking forward to this story by Ann Leckie as I have very much enjoyed her books in the past. However it turned out to be good but not memorable.
It was a sweet story about a planet colonised by humans with their usual disregard for the indigenous population. One of these small but intelligent beings realises that they are being controlled and sets out on the long game to change the future of its race.
The tale is nicely told and has a meaningful underlying message. Interesting but not gripping.
It was a sweet story about a planet colonised by humans with their usual disregard for the indigenous population. One of these small but intelligent beings realises that they are being controlled and sets out on the long game to change the future of its race.
The tale is nicely told and has a meaningful underlying message. Interesting but not gripping.
Read
July 3, 2026The Long Game was a short, reflective sci-fi story that felt bigger than its page count.
It had an interesting take on morality, time, and how different perspectives can shape the way choices are made. The pacing felt intentional, and while I don’t think it’ll stay with me long-term, I did find it genuinely interesting while listening.
The narration fit the tone perfectly and matched the quiet, thoughtful feel of the story.
I’d recommend it to listeners who enjoy reflective sci-fi, alien perspectives, and short stories that focus more on ideas than action.
It had an interesting take on morality, time, and how different perspectives can shape the way choices are made. The pacing felt intentional, and while I don’t think it’ll stay with me long-term, I did find it genuinely interesting while listening.
The narration fit the tone perfectly and matched the quiet, thoughtful feel of the story.
I’d recommend it to listeners who enjoy reflective sci-fi, alien perspectives, and short stories that focus more on ideas than action.
September 29, 2025
I just....I just love Ann Leckie so big time. What more can I say? The existential questions of why we are here, where are we going? To struggle and fight our nature until nature gets the better of us is what makes us human. This story touches the soul of this Scorpio-moon. Ann Leckie makes me feel human again in a world that is trying to take that away; and I will always love her for that! She's someone I would love to meet one day. xoxo
June 29, 2023
If there was something more behind this confusing tale, I didn't get it. But I also don't think there was. After the excitement of Ancillary justice I never found Leckie interesting ever again. What this one is about you ask? Alien slugs. And some weak murmuring about the evils of capitalism? Maybe...
February 3, 2026
The Long Game by Ann Leckie
The Long Game is a speculative short story from The Far Reaches that centers on Narr, a member of a short-lived sentient species subordinate to human colonists on a distant world, who tends the plants their overlords rely on. When Narr learns that humans can live far beyond the brief lifespan of their own kind, they are seized by curiosity and a yearning to extend life and understanding for their people, prompting a thoughtful journey into mortality, purpose, and possibility. It’s a compact tale of first contact, power imbalances, and enduring resolve through alien eyes.
I was drawn to Narr’s earnest voice, which made the expansive themes feel intimate even in a brief span; the pacing feels reflective rather than thrilling, inviting you to ponder life and coexistence alongside the protagonist. Narr’s growth from dutiful overseer to someone dreaming of a future larger than any one life was moving, and Leckie’s prose feels poised and curious.
3 out of 5 stars: quietly profound though light on plot momentum.
The Long Game is a speculative short story from The Far Reaches that centers on Narr, a member of a short-lived sentient species subordinate to human colonists on a distant world, who tends the plants their overlords rely on. When Narr learns that humans can live far beyond the brief lifespan of their own kind, they are seized by curiosity and a yearning to extend life and understanding for their people, prompting a thoughtful journey into mortality, purpose, and possibility. It’s a compact tale of first contact, power imbalances, and enduring resolve through alien eyes.
I was drawn to Narr’s earnest voice, which made the expansive themes feel intimate even in a brief span; the pacing feels reflective rather than thrilling, inviting you to ponder life and coexistence alongside the protagonist. Narr’s growth from dutiful overseer to someone dreaming of a future larger than any one life was moving, and Leckie’s prose feels poised and curious.
3 out of 5 stars: quietly profound though light on plot momentum.
December 19, 2023
This is cute and I loved the determination of the slug but overall the plot felt unremarkable and I don’t quite see the point of it.
July 22, 2023
We are on a planet with a tentacled, slug-like, cute looking, intelligent, but short-lived species. One of them figures out that there is more to life than fetching rocks and growing algae… Unsurprisingly, our species is on their planet trying to enrich themselves. And our intelligent slug plays into the game of the humans by presumably bettering the lives of its own species.
28 pages, pretty short.
4/5 🐌🐌🐌🐌
A list of all six Far Reaches stories is here. For Amazon Prime members free as ebook or audio (at the moment).
Read so far:
- How It Unfolds | My GR review | My Wordpress review
- Void | My GR review | My Wordpress review
- Falling Bodies | My GR review | My Wordpress review
28 pages, pretty short.
4/5 🐌🐌🐌🐌
A list of all six Far Reaches stories is here. For Amazon Prime members free as ebook or audio (at the moment).
Read so far:
- How It Unfolds | My GR review | My Wordpress review
- Void | My GR review | My Wordpress review
- Falling Bodies | My GR review | My Wordpress review
December 17, 2023
Great short story
Very interested in how things will play out. Really enjoyed this short story about a mysterious species (sounds part octopus ) that wants to make plans for his People.
Very interested in how things will play out. Really enjoyed this short story about a mysterious species (sounds part octopus ) that wants to make plans for his People.
September 5, 2023
‘The Long Game’ by Ann Leckie has messages about the advancement of civilizations, but I am not sure they were articulated enough for readers to care in this short story, one of Amazon’s The Far Reaches collection.
Leckie’s main character is an alien, with upfront ambitions of living large. He decides he can really live large if he can find out how to live longer than a year, which is the typical lifespan for his species. Narr, the narrator, wasn’t aware lifespan was important until he meets humans who have colonized his planet.
Humans find a planet with a sentient species that is developmentally simple and unsophisticated (and thankfully for the species, cute in human eyes). Humans will take advantage of any species first and foremost out of self-interest, especially one as unknowledgeable and undeveloped as Narr’s. However, an alien species can have the same feeling and need for self-realization and ambitions for self-advancement however simplified their lives or lacking in sophistication.
Is there a way to overcome or enlist help from a technologically superior species that is somewhat dismissive of beings they feel able to easily subjugate?
I have copied the book blurb:
”An inquisitive life-form finds there’s more to existence than they ever dreamed in an imaginative short story by New York Times bestselling and Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Ann Leckie.
On a far-off colony, humans tower over the local species who grow the plants they need. Narr keeps the workers in line—someone has to. But when Narr learns just how short-lived their species is, the little alien embarks on a big [journey] to find out why their people die and how to stop it. Stubborn and hopeful, Narr has a plan for the locals, for humans, and for the future.
Ann Leckie’s The Long Game is part of The Far Reaches , a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.”
Leckie’ s books tend to be written often from the point of view of alien minds. As readers become familiar with her world-building through alien characters, the story begins to pull together into coherency. But sometimes I think a Leckie story is opaque for too many pages, with little encouragement for some readers to read on to discover what is happening except for any reader’s natural curiosity - if they have any strong innate curiosity, if the story arouses a reader’s curiosity at any level. I find myself going back to reread early chapters of her novels after I’ve figured out what is happening in her story after finishing, say for example, 50 or 70 pages. This is my first Leckie short story, with only a few dozen pages, but she sticks to her usual style of story development.
I love the intelligence of author Ann Leckie which shines brightly in most of her books and stories. But she has a unique approach in revealing her plots and characters, and readers either accept it or move on. The messages in this story are not unique, though, despite Leckie’s usual unique alien points of view.
Leckie’s main character is an alien, with upfront ambitions of living large. He decides he can really live large if he can find out how to live longer than a year, which is the typical lifespan for his species. Narr, the narrator, wasn’t aware lifespan was important until he meets humans who have colonized his planet.
Humans find a planet with a sentient species that is developmentally simple and unsophisticated (and thankfully for the species, cute in human eyes). Humans will take advantage of any species first and foremost out of self-interest, especially one as unknowledgeable and undeveloped as Narr’s. However, an alien species can have the same feeling and need for self-realization and ambitions for self-advancement however simplified their lives or lacking in sophistication.
Is there a way to overcome or enlist help from a technologically superior species that is somewhat dismissive of beings they feel able to easily subjugate?
I have copied the book blurb:
”An inquisitive life-form finds there’s more to existence than they ever dreamed in an imaginative short story by New York Times bestselling and Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Ann Leckie.
On a far-off colony, humans tower over the local species who grow the plants they need. Narr keeps the workers in line—someone has to. But when Narr learns just how short-lived their species is, the little alien embarks on a big [journey] to find out why their people die and how to stop it. Stubborn and hopeful, Narr has a plan for the locals, for humans, and for the future.
Ann Leckie’s The Long Game is part of The Far Reaches , a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.”
Leckie’ s books tend to be written often from the point of view of alien minds. As readers become familiar with her world-building through alien characters, the story begins to pull together into coherency. But sometimes I think a Leckie story is opaque for too many pages, with little encouragement for some readers to read on to discover what is happening except for any reader’s natural curiosity - if they have any strong innate curiosity, if the story arouses a reader’s curiosity at any level. I find myself going back to reread early chapters of her novels after I’ve figured out what is happening in her story after finishing, say for example, 50 or 70 pages. This is my first Leckie short story, with only a few dozen pages, but she sticks to her usual style of story development.
I love the intelligence of author Ann Leckie which shines brightly in most of her books and stories. But she has a unique approach in revealing her plots and characters, and readers either accept it or move on. The messages in this story are not unique, though, despite Leckie’s usual unique alien points of view.
November 8, 2023
Ann Leckie attempting an Adrian Tchaikovsky 'humans are aliens' POV and failing disastrously in this insipid, barely comprehensible short story.
Read
July 25, 2023This entry was fine, but not a standout for me. The Long Game follows a member of small and short-lived sentient being from a planet being exploited by humans. When she discovers how long humans can live (10 years or more!) she decides to look into how her people could live longer as well.
August 30, 2026
3⭐️
So this is about an alien slug thing who wants to live forever? Realizes his species doesn’t have the longer life span of humans, becomes terrified of death and goes on a mission to discover how to not die
So this is about an alien slug thing who wants to live forever? Realizes his species doesn’t have the longer life span of humans, becomes terrified of death and goes on a mission to discover how to not die
July 20, 2026
This was kind of cute. Trying to work out what kind of creature the MC was and the circumstances where they lived was fun. I’m not sure I did figure it out (I was driving and perhaps not paying as close attention as a was required). Enjoyable story though.
December 20, 2025
Story 3 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator P. J. Morgan
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator P. J. Morgan
January 12, 2025
Marvellous. In ‘The Long Game’, Ann Leckie presents a short but powerful narrative that transcends the barriers of interspecies communication. Published in 2023, the story enters the tradition of reflective science fiction, in which alien contact serves as a mirror to human complexities.
Leckie constructs interactions full of nuance, exploring not only the words spoken, but also the implicit meanings that transcend cultural barriers. Her ability to imagine how beings from other species perceive the world is remarkable; she conceptualises not only different ways of thinking, but also systems of purpose. This careful look promotes reflection on our humanity and the prejudices that mould the way we interact with the ‘other’.
The ‘Long Game’ metaphor elevates the story, symbolising the focus on long-term vision as a path to survival and evolution. The ‘Long Game’ highlights patience, cooperation and compromise for humans, often consumed by immediate gains. It's a lesson in what makes us truly human: the ability to design and work for a future beyond ourselves.
Leckie constructs interactions full of nuance, exploring not only the words spoken, but also the implicit meanings that transcend cultural barriers. Her ability to imagine how beings from other species perceive the world is remarkable; she conceptualises not only different ways of thinking, but also systems of purpose. This careful look promotes reflection on our humanity and the prejudices that mould the way we interact with the ‘other’.
The ‘Long Game’ metaphor elevates the story, symbolising the focus on long-term vision as a path to survival and evolution. The ‘Long Game’ highlights patience, cooperation and compromise for humans, often consumed by immediate gains. It's a lesson in what makes us truly human: the ability to design and work for a future beyond ourselves.
August 22, 2023
2.5 Stars
Scifi commentary on exploitation in general. Not a pretty picture of human greed and capitalism as this chronicles one alien’s fight to make his people’s lives better and playing the game he’s forced/seduced into.
Available for free for Amazon Prime members
Scifi commentary on exploitation in general. Not a pretty picture of human greed and capitalism as this chronicles one alien’s fight to make his people’s lives better and playing the game he’s forced/seduced into.
Available for free for Amazon Prime members
November 3, 2023
This is the fourth instalment in The Far Reaches short story series.
Narr is one of his local species, his life spent looking up at the human giants above him who have colonized his planet. They are as unalike in looks as they are their outlooks on life and Narr becomes determined to understand why his people live as they do when it differs so greatly from others. Could there be a better way to spend an existence, doing other than what comes naturally to them?
Whilst this remained an interesting read, it was hardly a thrilling one. I appreciated all this short story did and the thought-provoking nature of the narrative but I did find my enjoyment dwindling quickly as the pages passed by.
Narr is one of his local species, his life spent looking up at the human giants above him who have colonized his planet. They are as unalike in looks as they are their outlooks on life and Narr becomes determined to understand why his people live as they do when it differs so greatly from others. Could there be a better way to spend an existence, doing other than what comes naturally to them?
Whilst this remained an interesting read, it was hardly a thrilling one. I appreciated all this short story did and the thought-provoking nature of the narrative but I did find my enjoyment dwindling quickly as the pages passed by.
November 2, 2023
Decent short story about alien relationship with humans.
June 27, 2023
Sometimes one has to change one's perspective completely, in order to really see. This tale of one particular (somewhat bullying] sentient alien, questioning all about its own species and all about the humans (for whom the species is only important because useful), is revelatory about the alien species, DNA, evolution and mutation--and about human frailties too.
July 28, 2023
First contact story equipped with evil corporation. Simply meh. Not terrible.
3.5 Stars
Listened to audible. P J Morgan was good.
3.5 Stars
Listened to audible. P J Morgan was good.
October 31, 2023
I absolutely despised the narrative voice of the main character. This story doesn’t really say anything in the end, either.
May 24, 2026
2 stars
This felt like listening to someone ramble on tiktok for way too long and you’re kind of invested only to slowly start realising they don’t get to the point in the video and never bothered to film a second part.
This felt like listening to someone ramble on tiktok for way too long and you’re kind of invested only to slowly start realising they don’t get to the point in the video and never bothered to film a second part.
July 12, 2023
If nothing else the author does amazingly original aliens!
April 19, 2025
Ann Leckie's take on aliens is always
a) weird
b) interesting
c) like nothing I've ever read before
. . . and this short story maintains that pattern.
There's a big jump between the last two chapters and I low-key wanted to see the societal evolution we're told about in retrospect. But Amazon short stories seem to have a strict page count, so oh well.
My Prime reading membership expires tomorrow, so I'm racing through all the short stories I downloaded, meant to read, and forgot I had.
a) weird
b) interesting
c) like nothing I've ever read before
. . . and this short story maintains that pattern.
There's a big jump between the last two chapters and I low-key wanted to see the societal evolution we're told about in retrospect. But Amazon short stories seem to have a strict page count, so oh well.
My Prime reading membership expires tomorrow, so I'm racing through all the short stories I downloaded, meant to read, and forgot I had.
February 28, 2024
Now this one I liked. I always do when Ann Leckie is involved. She writes book like nobody else. This was a short little jewel of a book. I'm not a short story lover, I find that they're often over before being fully developed, this was perfect even though it was very short, I imagine that's difficult to do.
Great stuff. Ann Leckie rules!
Great stuff. Ann Leckie rules!
July 19, 2023
Loved this!
Especially loved this story because the primitive inhabitants of the planet were so interesting and were very intelligent and learning quickly.
Especially loved this story because the primitive inhabitants of the planet were so interesting and were very intelligent and learning quickly.
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