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Tattooed Corpse Stories
It Doesn't Translate
Noir Kioko had only ever seen one human before his undercover work brought him to the diner at the Luna Terminal, and that was at a distance. Humans are rare, most of them disappear without a trace, and he hopes hanging around the restaurant will give him a lead on the smuggling ring he’s investigating. There was no way he could’ve known the human would turn out to be his mate, and no way he can let it show without putting his mate in danger and possibly jeopardising his mission.
Max Welch is the proud owner of the only restaurant within a light year’s distance. He left Earth four years ago to create a better life for himself, but he hadn’t considered the possibility of scary alien pirates making his restaurant their favourite hangout spot. As a measly human there isn’t much he can do about it, but as one of the pirates starts coming by almost every day he has to come up with something before he loses all his customers. That the giant cat man is rather nice to look at changes nothing.
When rumours of another human arriving at the space station start to circulate, Noir's species trafficking infiltrate and observe only mission may need a revamp. But will Noir be able to protect his mate and another one of his rare species?
Max Welch is the proud owner of the only restaurant within a light year’s distance. He left Earth four years ago to create a better life for himself, but he hadn’t considered the possibility of scary alien pirates making his restaurant their favourite hangout spot. As a measly human there isn’t much he can do about it, but as one of the pirates starts coming by almost every day he has to come up with something before he loses all his customers. That the giant cat man is rather nice to look at changes nothing.
When rumours of another human arriving at the space station start to circulate, Noir's species trafficking infiltrate and observe only mission may need a revamp. But will Noir be able to protect his mate and another one of his rare species?
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2018
4 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Ofelia Gränd
82 books150 followersGay fiction and M/M Romance writer
Ofelia Gränd is Swedish, which often shines through in her stories. She likes to write about everyday people ending up in not-so-everyday situations, and hopefully also getting out of them. She writes contemporary, paranormal, romance, horror, Sci-Fi and whatever else catches her fancy.
Her books are written for readers who want to take a break from their everyday life for an hour or two.
When Ofelia manages to tear herself from the screen and sneak away from husband and children, she likes to take walks in the woods. She’s recently discovered the miracle of podcasts and spends her strolls listening to wise people talk.
If you want to know more, subscribe to Ofelia's email list at http://ofeliagrand.us9.list-manage.co...
Ofelia Gränd is Swedish, which often shines through in her stories. She likes to write about everyday people ending up in not-so-everyday situations, and hopefully also getting out of them. She writes contemporary, paranormal, romance, horror, Sci-Fi and whatever else catches her fancy.
Her books are written for readers who want to take a break from their everyday life for an hour or two.
When Ofelia manages to tear herself from the screen and sneak away from husband and children, she likes to take walks in the woods. She’s recently discovered the miracle of podcasts and spends her strolls listening to wise people talk.
If you want to know more, subscribe to Ofelia's email list at http://ofeliagrand.us9.list-manage.co...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 31, 2020
Author Ofelia Gränd never ceases to impress me with her creativity and imagination. She is that rare talent who can write both light and dark stories, and it is a treat discovering which way each story will flow.
I adored the vivid sci-fi world building and the imaginative alien characters in this story. It had humor, sweetness, adventure, with a dash of suspense. I would love to read more from this universe.
Noir Kioko is the cat’s meow! He is a big furry alien with a long tail and lovable cat-like behaviors. When this big tough alien starts purring and wrapping his tail around his mate, I melted.
Space pirates, a large and sweet alien cat-man (who just wants to eat his ice cream!), a variety of poisonous aliens, language barriers and misunderstandings, a scrappy but extremely fragile human, and true-mates makes this a fantastic read!
Thanks to the delightful Susana for recommending this fun story. Her review does an excellent job of summarizing why this is such a great story.
Recommend!
I adored the vivid sci-fi world building and the imaginative alien characters in this story. It had humor, sweetness, adventure, with a dash of suspense. I would love to read more from this universe.
Noir Kioko is the cat’s meow! He is a big furry alien with a long tail and lovable cat-like behaviors. When this big tough alien starts purring and wrapping his tail around his mate, I melted.
Space pirates, a large and sweet alien cat-man (who just wants to eat his ice cream!), a variety of poisonous aliens, language barriers and misunderstandings, a scrappy but extremely fragile human, and true-mates makes this a fantastic read!
Thanks to the delightful Susana for recommending this fun story. Her review does an excellent job of summarizing why this is such a great story.
Recommend!
September 1, 2018
Oh my... what an extraordinary delightful read. All the creatures were so vivid and ghaaad did I loved them.
Noir, a Nekoid, working undercover, has his eyes on Max... even more than that... he knows Max is his mate. Max the only human in vicinity and the owner of the only restaurant in nearby universe, serving his diverse customers, learning how to treat everyone.
Max isn’t aware of the mate thing and Quam, his bodyguard, can’t convince him to read the essay he gave him, it could explain...
Noir his soft tail more than once brushes against a human leg... His work can be dangerous for Max and that’s the last thing he wants for his mate.
I loved this story with all my heart. If I could draw I would make a comic about it.
For me this story was more than good... the creatures, the characters, the environments, the atmosphere, the pace, the plot, all the emotions... all the confusing they had around each other...I loved it all.
Ofelia is just a genius!
Kindly received an arc from the author
Noir, a Nekoid, working undercover, has his eyes on Max... even more than that... he knows Max is his mate. Max the only human in vicinity and the owner of the only restaurant in nearby universe, serving his diverse customers, learning how to treat everyone.
Max isn’t aware of the mate thing and Quam, his bodyguard, can’t convince him to read the essay he gave him, it could explain...
Noir his soft tail more than once brushes against a human leg... His work can be dangerous for Max and that’s the last thing he wants for his mate.
I loved this story with all my heart. If I could draw I would make a comic about it.
For me this story was more than good... the creatures, the characters, the environments, the atmosphere, the pace, the plot, all the emotions... all the confusing they had around each other...I loved it all.
Ofelia is just a genius!
Kindly received an arc from the author
March 30, 2020
Considering how short this was, I really enjoyed it, enough that I regret there's not more.
August 31, 2018
Und ich geb zu den Sternen noch 5 Herzchen obendrauf, weil die witzige Geschichte meinen Geschmack so perfekt getroffen hat.
Darum geht's:
Max betreibt ein Burger-Restaurant auf einer kleinen Raumstation. Weit und breit ist er der einzige Mensch, denn die wenigsten verlassen die Erde und wagen sich in den Weltraum. Seine Gäste sind Außerirdische der unterschiedlichsten Spezies und bei den meisten von ihnen ist er sich nicht sicher, was nun eine freundschaftliche oder eine feindliche Geste ist. Besser ist es, den Kopf gesenkt zu halten und nicht zu lächeln. Dass sich ausgerechnet die Truppe von Raumpiraten seinen Laden als Stammlokal ausgesucht hat, macht ihm Angst und ist schlecht für's Geschäft.
Das Katzenwesen Noir hat sich unter die Piraten gemischt, doch eigentlich versucht er aufzuklären, wohin die wenigen Menschen, die die Erde verlassen haben, verschwinden. Ob die Piraten und Schmuggler etwas damit zu tun haben? Den Wirt Max findet Noir ganz schön klein und mickrig, aber für ihn sind die so selten zu sehenden Menschen auch interessant. Und Max hat etwas an sich, dass Noir immer wieder in sein Burgerrestaurant zurückkommen lässt.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
Darum geht's:
Max betreibt ein Burger-Restaurant auf einer kleinen Raumstation. Weit und breit ist er der einzige Mensch, denn die wenigsten verlassen die Erde und wagen sich in den Weltraum. Seine Gäste sind Außerirdische der unterschiedlichsten Spezies und bei den meisten von ihnen ist er sich nicht sicher, was nun eine freundschaftliche oder eine feindliche Geste ist. Besser ist es, den Kopf gesenkt zu halten und nicht zu lächeln. Dass sich ausgerechnet die Truppe von Raumpiraten seinen Laden als Stammlokal ausgesucht hat, macht ihm Angst und ist schlecht für's Geschäft.
Das Katzenwesen Noir hat sich unter die Piraten gemischt, doch eigentlich versucht er aufzuklären, wohin die wenigen Menschen, die die Erde verlassen haben, verschwinden. Ob die Piraten und Schmuggler etwas damit zu tun haben? Den Wirt Max findet Noir ganz schön klein und mickrig, aber für ihn sind die so selten zu sehenden Menschen auch interessant. Und Max hat etwas an sich, dass Noir immer wieder in sein Burgerrestaurant zurückkommen lässt.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
August 11, 2018
This is an awesome book out in space. At a human dinner that Max owns. It is a very great book where we meet Noir (alien cat) who sounds quite handsome. This was a extremely exciting book. I hope there is another writen for Quam.
Definately worth a read you wont regret it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Definately worth a read you wont regret it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 16, 2018
I only recently discovered author Ofelia Grand, and I love her stories. They are creative, and inhabited by endearing, often quirky, characters. I loved this take on science fiction romance. Humans are something of an endangered species, Earth is off-limits, and humans outside of Earth are disappearing, the victims of illegal trafficking. This is a wonderful, funny, entertaining story with space pirates, a large cat man, and various other alien beings. I loved Noir and his emotive tail, and the language barriers made for some very funny exchanges. I highly recommend this fun, low angst read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2018
Max Welch owns a restaurant at Luna station. He misses the Earth, but he is proud of his business, has a faithful clientele and a good relationship with his alien body-guard and employee Quam. If only a nasty pirate and his very dangerous crew would stop showing once a month, his life would be almost perfect….
Noir had not seen a human before, and Max immediately catches his interest… But he is not the only one interested in sweet Max, and Noir has to choose between protecting the human he likes, or sticking to his mission. Although he soon realises he has no choice at all…
This was a great surprise, and very entertaining sci-fi short story with endearing characters and a surprisingly fresh humorous tone that I really enjoyed…. As a lover of sci-fi, cats and language, this story ticked all the right boxes with me. I really loved the way humans are portrayed in the story, no longer the all-conquering race, humans have become a rarity in this universe, and they are considered fragile and exotic… enough that they are trafficked with. That’s why Max has Quam to protect him. Quam is another great character, I do hope he gets his own story. As for Noir, he is all cat, and I loved him to bits.
Another great aspect of the story is the “lost in translation” subtopic. Many things from human language does not translate well, so Noir has many problems understanding a purposefully misleading Max. The same happens with facial gestures or attitudes (the bit about Max leaking… simply hilarious).
In short, a great story from a new author, who I think is going to become a favourite.
Very recommendable
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Noir had not seen a human before, and Max immediately catches his interest… But he is not the only one interested in sweet Max, and Noir has to choose between protecting the human he likes, or sticking to his mission. Although he soon realises he has no choice at all…
This was a great surprise, and very entertaining sci-fi short story with endearing characters and a surprisingly fresh humorous tone that I really enjoyed…. As a lover of sci-fi, cats and language, this story ticked all the right boxes with me. I really loved the way humans are portrayed in the story, no longer the all-conquering race, humans have become a rarity in this universe, and they are considered fragile and exotic… enough that they are trafficked with. That’s why Max has Quam to protect him. Quam is another great character, I do hope he gets his own story. As for Noir, he is all cat, and I loved him to bits.
Another great aspect of the story is the “lost in translation” subtopic. Many things from human language does not translate well, so Noir has many problems understanding a purposefully misleading Max. The same happens with facial gestures or attitudes (the bit about Max leaking… simply hilarious).
In short, a great story from a new author, who I think is going to become a favourite.
Very recommendable
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2018
Lovely sci-fi. Lots of action and adventure. Max is just trying to make his restaurant a success, but a group of damn space pirates is making life difficult. Noir doesn't recognize his behavior is indicative of having found his mate. Max is more than leary of having a pirate for a mate. I really liked the friendship Max has with Quam. He's quite exasperated with Max for not reading up on interspecies behaviors as Max keeps asking him to translate the actions of the nonhumans around him. I'm hoping there is another book on the way soon.
All read
All read
August 26, 2018
I had such a wonderful time reading this story. It isn’t something that I generally would read, but I can’t say no to an Ofelia Grand’s book.
I love how this Tattooed Corpse Stories are so different between them. I really didn’t know what to expect. I liked the plot. IT keep my attention very quickly, but what I liked the most as getting to know the characters. Everyone was so unusual that was a delight to know the way everyone react to thigs or what it means little things to them, something so small like a smile or looking to the eyes of the other had such different meaning and learning that was fantastic.
There was some action, not much but I enjoy it. Not everything goes perfect and not everyone is perfect. I loved that. The main characters are so much fun. I loved Noir’s persistence and his inability to understand how to make things right. I also loved Max who make me laugh so much with the fun he was having giving Noir a hard time with words. He was frustrating at times and I just wanted him to give poor Noir a brake but Noir was so annoying at times that I understood. Max was the one who I felt was easier to get in touch with his emotions. I loved them both as much and also liked the secondary characters.
Overall it was a fun book to read. I had a great time.
I love how this Tattooed Corpse Stories are so different between them. I really didn’t know what to expect. I liked the plot. IT keep my attention very quickly, but what I liked the most as getting to know the characters. Everyone was so unusual that was a delight to know the way everyone react to thigs or what it means little things to them, something so small like a smile or looking to the eyes of the other had such different meaning and learning that was fantastic.
There was some action, not much but I enjoy it. Not everything goes perfect and not everyone is perfect. I loved that. The main characters are so much fun. I loved Noir’s persistence and his inability to understand how to make things right. I also loved Max who make me laugh so much with the fun he was having giving Noir a hard time with words. He was frustrating at times and I just wanted him to give poor Noir a brake but Noir was so annoying at times that I understood. Max was the one who I felt was easier to get in touch with his emotions. I loved them both as much and also liked the secondary characters.
Overall it was a fun book to read. I had a great time.
October 12, 2025
It was a fast, very funny read about a human having a diner on a space station - while human are very rare - and he gets "bothered" by some disgusting toxic (literally) fish alien and his pirate gang, and the new cat pirate underling.
The whole miscommunication between the alien races is so funny, especially when the reptoid and the nekoid doesn't know whats wrong with the human - again.
There even was an attempt of a story with that asshole pirate boss and the smuggling ring, but it was all very very fast paced and it had a TINY bit rpg-vibes.
Like i said, it was just fun - tho no sexy time, sadly - and actually the whole plot would be quite a good plot for a longer series IF ANYONE WOULD WRITE SCIFI GAY BOOKS AT ALL HNF.
The only thing that was a bit eyerolling is Max himself, because hes quite stupid :D dunno, but if your body language is so vastly different than the alien species, that can kill you with one look, i would read up about customs and shit, but Max doesn't and the ignorance is driving me a bit crazy *snort*.
The whole miscommunication between the alien races is so funny, especially when the reptoid and the nekoid doesn't know whats wrong with the human - again.
There even was an attempt of a story with that asshole pirate boss and the smuggling ring, but it was all very very fast paced and it had a TINY bit rpg-vibes.
Like i said, it was just fun - tho no sexy time, sadly - and actually the whole plot would be quite a good plot for a longer series IF ANYONE WOULD WRITE SCIFI GAY BOOKS AT ALL HNF.
The only thing that was a bit eyerolling is Max himself, because hes quite stupid :D dunno, but if your body language is so vastly different than the alien species, that can kill you with one look, i would read up about customs and shit, but Max doesn't and the ignorance is driving me a bit crazy *snort*.
September 3, 2018
A really cute story about humans and Aliens, some have acid spit, spikes ect. Max is a human and Noir is an alien and let me tell you, they are way to cute together. I like how Max just rolled with the punches after he finds out that he’s Noir was his mate. Ofelia has a way with writing stories that pulls in the reader. This book has an HEA ending however I would have loved to hear more about these two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2018
Humans are a very breed and they are taken so he is on the look for them. He went to the bar and he saw a human from a distance. They run the bar and he knows they are his mate but he has to be careful. Can he protect them? Can he save the others. Follow his adventures
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 24, 2019
This book was a fun, fast-paced, humorous true mate love story in a wonderfully vivid space station setting. There were aliens of various kinds, space travel, espionage, and the bliss of simple luxuries like coffee and ice cream, all mixed in with a human (Max) who is learning to trust and love himself and others. If we're being specific, Max is drawn to one other in particular (Noir) who brings the safety and comfort Max so desperately craves in a world where he is unequivocally outnumbered. The humor in this story lies in the dialogue and the unique reactions to human emotions, expressions, and English idioms for which language translator implants are helpless to decipher. I thought this story was incredibly clever and creative.
March 1, 2022
Creative intelligence at service of this wonderful story —funny in some moments, not so in others—framed in a coherent world.
I hope that there are one or more sequels: I want to know how keeps going the relationship between Max and Noir; and Quam, Xog, Zall, and Roach need their own stories.
I hope that there are one or more sequels: I want to know how keeps going the relationship between Max and Noir; and Quam, Xog, Zall, and Roach need their own stories.
September 21, 2022
I've read many alien stories over the years, across all pairings, and while I've enjoyed the majority, I would rate most as an "Okay" or "it was good, but I'll probably not read it again". This month alone, I've read two that I will happily go back and read again, maybe multiple times!
It Doesn't Translate is my second enjoyable alien romance for this month. It's a medium sized novella, but there is a lot of story, and well developed characters packed into its smaller size. Something this author does really well is produce a story that doesn't have the shallowness that is often associated with novellas, especially standalone novellas. Instead, we get a rich story, characters that we become invested in, and a world we don't want to leave. I would very happily read more books with these characters. I was certainly not read to let them go yet!
If you enjoy generally light (but with serious moments) sci-fi alien romances, then you may just enjoy It Doesn't Translate.
All my reviews can be found on my blog: The Word Nerd Reviews
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It Doesn't Translate is my second enjoyable alien romance for this month. It's a medium sized novella, but there is a lot of story, and well developed characters packed into its smaller size. Something this author does really well is produce a story that doesn't have the shallowness that is often associated with novellas, especially standalone novellas. Instead, we get a rich story, characters that we become invested in, and a world we don't want to leave. I would very happily read more books with these characters. I was certainly not read to let them go yet!
If you enjoy generally light (but with serious moments) sci-fi alien romances, then you may just enjoy It Doesn't Translate.
All my reviews can be found on my blog: The Word Nerd Reviews
Follow Me: Facebook , Twitter & Instagram
The Word Nerd Reviews is currently looking for reviewers aged 18+ to join the team. If you are interested, visit the blog for more information.
August 4, 2020
This book, although short, was so much fun! Interesting world building, fascinating characters, intriguing storyline and lots of humor. Max’s interactions with Noir were a hoot and they made such a great couple-to-be! The only sad part was what happened to Chase, but considering the title, I saw that one coming. My only mild complaints is that the story ended before we found out more about Xog (was he really a good guy and how did he wind up with Bair’s crew, and was he going to be Quam’s mate?), what happens with Roach, and what really happened on Earth.
March 18, 2021
A good story. Bair was such an idiot. How could he think he could have Max when his touch was poisonous? Bair should have died harder, though.
And even though I didn't know Chase, it broke my heart that he died. However much Max might have wanted him and Quam to mate, I do think Quam will wind up with Xog.
And even though I didn't know Chase, it broke my heart that he died. However much Max might have wanted him and Quam to mate, I do think Quam will wind up with Xog.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2024
This didn't feel like a short story, more like a novel with a good portion chopped off. I liked the story and where it was going and all of a sudden... the credits were rolling around. And it doesn't seem like any of the other stories in the series continue this one either.
So... good story, but disappointing reading experience in the end.
So... good story, but disappointing reading experience in the end.
May 5, 2024
Alien meets his fated human mate at said human's offshore alien burger joint. Sweet, fun. I loved the side character's and had hoped they'd get their own books but doesn't look like that's the case.
October 29, 2021
Not enough.
The story is interesting, and seems like a good opening to an interesting series. However, there’s just not enough of it. It ends abruptly and feels unfinished.
The story is interesting, and seems like a good opening to an interesting series. However, there’s just not enough of it. It ends abruptly and feels unfinished.
January 9, 2024
highly imaginative, great characters, only wish it was longer
Rating: 4.5🌈
Another short fantastical story by the strange, imaginative mind of author Ofelia Grand. It Doesn’t Translate originated as a casual bunch of texts amongst a group of friends/authors who wondered about a wandering (very dead) body that would pop up in various places, no matter the context, universe, or even trope.
Before long a series, the Tattooed Corpse stories, was born.
“Different time, different place, same body” How irresistible.
It Doesn't Translate by Ofelia Gränd is a LGBTQIA SYFY short story that I desperately want to see a sequel to.
I adored the characters, this weirdly wonderful, and fascinating universe, and the relationships that are forged within a human owned Hamburger joint on a small space station near a ravaged Earth.
There’s human Max Welch, proud owner of on The Lunar Terminal, a small fake city, that was home to the barest of essentials. A barber, a grocery store, a fuel station, bathhouse, healthcare center, and Max’s Hamburger Bar, a small restaurant that served the local and ships that docked.
Quam, a reptoid, is Max’s best friend, bodyguard, side orders cook if needed, and casual guide to the alien world all around him as Max is pretty the only human being outside of Earth, one of the few left.
This story is supposed to be a one of simple short, a kind of quickie tale but it’s not. Grand is far too deeply bent an author, narratively speaking, (and I mean that in the best way possible) for this not to have multiple storylines and just so many different well defined characters that reach out to grab the reader’s attention and imagination.
There is a pirate infestation and alien being trafficking aspect here, one that threatens Max. A fabulous mate match element, not one but potentially several. A dead body (yes that one), and so many more appealing and downright interesting storyline threads that the author has built into this short tale that the mind wants to follow its journey through to the end is woven with endless possibilities.
We want to know what happened to Earth and the rest of the population. Where are those fabulous dairy products coming from? What did happen to that one pirate? Did they help Quam date? I have a page of things I need to know!
I want to send bribes, so many bribes to Grand, to get her to continue this story and characters forward with more adventures.
Is the story perfect? Not exactly.
There’s a tiny quibble. It’s over a typical mindset.
“And I’m not allowed to carry you?” Noir held his arms open.”
Definitely not, I’m not a girl.”
“Girls get carried?” “
“Well, no, but guys definitely don’t.”
It wasn’t that hard to understand, was it?
Noir shrugged.
— It Doesn't Translate by Ofelia Gränd
I hope to see this gendered type of behavior less and less in the coming years. There’s a sort of a start. But, tbh, does it really matter what the gender in how someone is carrying another? Especially if one is an alien and the other is perceived to be injured? I say let’s leave gender and sex out of this, and let the scene and storyline prompt the action.
It Doesn’t Translate is a fantastic short story, ending far too quickly for me and the characters. Grand is such an inventive writer and the world building is so satisfying that it cries out for more than a single tale.
I’m definitely recommending this book and author. Check them both out.
Tattooed Corpse Stories:
- [ ] The Worth His Salt (ghost story and lighthouse)
- [x] It Doesn’t Translate (syfi universe)
Rating: 4.5🌈
Another short fantastical story by the strange, imaginative mind of author Ofelia Grand. It Doesn’t Translate originated as a casual bunch of texts amongst a group of friends/authors who wondered about a wandering (very dead) body that would pop up in various places, no matter the context, universe, or even trope.
Before long a series, the Tattooed Corpse stories, was born.
“Different time, different place, same body” How irresistible.
It Doesn't Translate by Ofelia Gränd is a LGBTQIA SYFY short story that I desperately want to see a sequel to.
I adored the characters, this weirdly wonderful, and fascinating universe, and the relationships that are forged within a human owned Hamburger joint on a small space station near a ravaged Earth.
There’s human Max Welch, proud owner of on The Lunar Terminal, a small fake city, that was home to the barest of essentials. A barber, a grocery store, a fuel station, bathhouse, healthcare center, and Max’s Hamburger Bar, a small restaurant that served the local and ships that docked.
Quam, a reptoid, is Max’s best friend, bodyguard, side orders cook if needed, and casual guide to the alien world all around him as Max is pretty the only human being outside of Earth, one of the few left.
This story is supposed to be a one of simple short, a kind of quickie tale but it’s not. Grand is far too deeply bent an author, narratively speaking, (and I mean that in the best way possible) for this not to have multiple storylines and just so many different well defined characters that reach out to grab the reader’s attention and imagination.
There is a pirate infestation and alien being trafficking aspect here, one that threatens Max. A fabulous mate match element, not one but potentially several. A dead body (yes that one), and so many more appealing and downright interesting storyline threads that the author has built into this short tale that the mind wants to follow its journey through to the end is woven with endless possibilities.
We want to know what happened to Earth and the rest of the population. Where are those fabulous dairy products coming from? What did happen to that one pirate? Did they help Quam date? I have a page of things I need to know!
I want to send bribes, so many bribes to Grand, to get her to continue this story and characters forward with more adventures.
Is the story perfect? Not exactly.
There’s a tiny quibble. It’s over a typical mindset.
“And I’m not allowed to carry you?” Noir held his arms open.”
Definitely not, I’m not a girl.”
“Girls get carried?” “
“Well, no, but guys definitely don’t.”
It wasn’t that hard to understand, was it?
Noir shrugged.
— It Doesn't Translate by Ofelia Gränd
I hope to see this gendered type of behavior less and less in the coming years. There’s a sort of a start. But, tbh, does it really matter what the gender in how someone is carrying another? Especially if one is an alien and the other is perceived to be injured? I say let’s leave gender and sex out of this, and let the scene and storyline prompt the action.
It Doesn’t Translate is a fantastic short story, ending far too quickly for me and the characters. Grand is such an inventive writer and the world building is so satisfying that it cries out for more than a single tale.
I’m definitely recommending this book and author. Check them both out.
Tattooed Corpse Stories:
- [ ] The Worth His Salt (ghost story and lighthouse)
- [x] It Doesn’t Translate (syfi universe)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews