Variant Reflections

by R.L. Robinson

Variant Reflections is a collection of twelve original science fiction short stories from professional writer, R.L. Robinson. Digital Science Fiction is pleased to present in this unique science fiction collection of 12 remarkable stories from R.L. Robinson. We know Variant Reflections will entertain you from start to finish. All of the excellent stories in this Digital Science Fiction Author Collection are first-time-published originals with Digital Science Fiction. At Digital Science Fiction, we strive for technically perfect digital and print versions of all our books. Each Digital Science Fiction book is vetted for superior literary quality, then subjected to comprehensive professional review. Layout, content, and formatting are extensively checked for accuracy to ensure a positive reader experience. In this way we expect you to find each Digital Science Fiction book not only entertaining, but error free. Enjoy! Visit DigitalFictionPub.com for more great speculative fiction.

206 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2014

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

This antholgy contains creative and intriguing stories based around the idea of modified humanity. The stories are short but very rich, with great world building and characters. Almost any of them could be fleshed out to sustain a full length novel. Some of the stories are very sci fi, while others meander more into speculative fiction. A great variety of settings too - I especially enjoyed the tripods story set early in the UK Industrial Revolution.

[Nick Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Variant Reflections is a collection of twelve sci-fi/fantasy short stories that explores humanity, and, in my opinion, what it means to be human. The stories are enjoyable, thought provoking (and one in particular) rather chilling and will likely keep me awake for a few days to come. A couple of the stories didn't really do it for me and felt like they could use another go over or a bit more time on a better ending, but that could just be my own interpretation of them. That being said, seven of the stories really stand out for me and I feel should be explored more deeply in future; either in other stories set in the same universe, or in novel form. Those being “Midwinter Crossing” with it's mysterious clone/genetically grown eastern european girl found half starved on an abandoned boat; the War Of The Worlds-esque “Unremembered” with it's dead tripods and metamorphosing disease; the chilling “Deviant” which, I'm sure, will keep me awake at night for a while; “Mirrors and Shadows” with it's ancient mystical themes; “Another Kind”, which reminded me a little of Frankenstein's Monster mixed with slavery; “Descent”, which reminded me a little of “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy; and finally “Of The Blood” which reminded me a bit of Game Of Thrones whilst on acid. Overall this is definitely a collection worth reading.

[Heather Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I really enjoyed about these stories was his use of unusual words or words that would tickle something in your mind, causing you to research it. This added depth to the stories because those words did signify something more special than a common one would. This didn't happen so often that you felt burdened by it or that it slowed the story.

However, the endings weren't my favorite as they felt abrupt and unfinished. I get the possibility the concept this was supposed to make me think or perhaps the author felt he'd made his point. However, it left me feeling less inclined to carry the stories in my mind as others have been able to made me contemplate the implications without having the story feel it had come to an arbitrary screeching halt.

I'd like to read some longer works by this author as the pace and style of writing seemed better suited to that than short stories. I did receive this at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen Gubbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Robinson's Varient Reflections is an eclectic set of short stories they vary in genre from sci-fi to military and in essence, there is something for everyone. Many of the stories have the potential to be expanded and perhaps made into a novella or full length novel. I particularly liked the first 3 stories, for me they had the most potential. But of course this is personal preference. I would be happy to read more of Roberts work, and would love to see his stories develop. 4*

[Samm Serrinnitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. A collection of sci-if short stories that felt more like a movie anthology to me. Each story is its own, but there were definite connections, and I imagined this as one futuristic world, and each character dealing with some major catastrophe that happened in their part of the world/universe. Great read.

I received this book during a free promo to provide an honest and unbiased review.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I read the twelve short stories in this book and have a over all opinion of this book being OK. Some of the stories confused me and some seemed like they weren't complete stories. I did enjoy "Tin Soldiers" and wished it was longer. "Mirrors and Shadows" was my favorite and made me want to know more. But the others just were confusing or felt incomplete.

[David Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book of short stories. Most of the stories do not have a real ending, you sorta have to make up your own mind how they go.