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The Dystopia Triptych #2
Burn the Ashes
We burn them to ashes and then burn the ashes.
In Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451, that's the motto of the Firemen who hunted down and burned books wherever they found them. Bradbury warned of a world where our literary history is taken from us. In BURN THE ASHES, some of the best science fiction authors working today continue to explore the dystopic worlds they introduced in IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
Edited by acclaimed anthologist John Joseph Adams and bestselling author Hugh Howey, THE DYSTOPIA TRIPTYCH is a series of three anthologies of dystopian fiction. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH—before the dystopia—focuses on society during its descent into absurdity and madness. BURN THE ASHES—during the dystopia—turns its attention to life during the strangest, most dire times. OR ELSE THE LIGHT—after the dystopia—concludes the saga with each author sharing their own vision of how we as a society might crawl back from the precipice of despair.
BURN THE ASHES features all-new, never-before-published works by Hugh Howey, Seanan McGuire, Carrie Vaughn, Scott Sigler, and many others.
In Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451, that's the motto of the Firemen who hunted down and burned books wherever they found them. Bradbury warned of a world where our literary history is taken from us. In BURN THE ASHES, some of the best science fiction authors working today continue to explore the dystopic worlds they introduced in IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
Edited by acclaimed anthologist John Joseph Adams and bestselling author Hugh Howey, THE DYSTOPIA TRIPTYCH is a series of three anthologies of dystopian fiction. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH—before the dystopia—focuses on society during its descent into absurdity and madness. BURN THE ASHES—during the dystopia—turns its attention to life during the strangest, most dire times. OR ELSE THE LIGHT—after the dystopia—concludes the saga with each author sharing their own vision of how we as a society might crawl back from the precipice of despair.
BURN THE ASHES features all-new, never-before-published works by Hugh Howey, Seanan McGuire, Carrie Vaughn, Scott Sigler, and many others.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
34 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
John Joseph Adams
368 books984 followersJohn Joseph Adams is the series editor of BEST AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY. He is also the bestselling editor of many other anthologies, such as ROBOT UPRISINGS, DEAD MAN'S HAND, BRAVE NEW WORLDS,WASTELANDS, and THE LIVING DEAD. Recent and forthcoming books include WHAT THE #@&% IS THAT?, OPERATION ARCANA, PRESS START TO PLAY, LOOSED UPON THE WORLD, and THE APOCALYPSE TRIPTYCH (consisting of THE END IS NIGH, THE END IS NOW, and THE END HAS COME). Called “the reigning king of the anthology world” by Barnes & Noble, John is a two-time winner of the Hugo Award (for which he has been nominated nine times), is a seven-time World Fantasy Award finalist, and served as a judge for the 2015 National Book Award. John is also the editor and publisher of the digital magazines LIGHTSPEED and NIGHTMARE, and is a producer for Wired's THE GEEK'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY podcast. You can find him online at www.johnjosephadams.com and on Twitter @JohnJosephAdams.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 16, 2021
Q:
All You Need to Change the World Is Faith and a Chainsaw (c) And some crappy music. Sounds like a plan, duh.
Q:
“I don’t want to conquer anything. I just want to see new places. Or, rather, see really old places, for the first time. Isn’t that what you like doing?” (c)
Q:
“There’s no amendment protecting duct tape, Mr. Anders. There are no proscriptions against the phrase, ‘choked to death.’ I can call this what it was. (c)
Q:
Which was the reality? Was it the colorful apartments nestled together, the bland gray buildings . . . or something else entirely? Personal Implanted Perception chips made it impossible to know. (c)
Q:
The gun kicked in her hands, its barrel jerking skyward. Brandon dropped without a sound. The others raised their guns but she kept shooting and soldiers of the Lord that they were, most of them ran, trampling her garden. (c)
Q:
She starts looking, and she reads whatever she finds. Cover to cover, not caring about subject matter or style. It’s hard at first because she never went to school, but Letitia does what she puts her mind to, and she improves fast. She’s hunting knowledge. The past is past, burned to ashes and charred timbers, overgrown already with young trees striving upward. What is to come, that’s what matters. For her little boy Lucas, just born. For the other children she wants to have. She reads for them and also for herself, to nourish her mind because it is hungry for all the things it did not get when she was a child, following her parents through the woods and hoping something good would come next.
That’s not how she intends to spend her life. If there isn’t something good, she will build it. (c)
Q:
It is, by nature, a cautious machine. No one wants a bold gardener with grand ideas. (c)
Q:
“See, there’s no escape. We do what we have to do. That is the way of things. Take seconds where you find them, beauty in what you do. Have you read any Marcus Aurelius? I find stoicism helpful.” (c) Yeah, that's 2 robots talking. Nice!
Q:
“I remember reading somewhere that the reason we see the world of dreams as frivolous is not because of the objective ‘realness’ of the waking world, but because the world of dreams lacks continuity. If the narrative of one dream continued in the next, if our actions had consequence and weight, if the dream world were consistent and just a little more solid, then we would place as much value in them as we do in the ‘real world,’ and perhaps more. The only advantage reality offers us is the opportunity to manifest our will however we can. Otherwise it is cruel and painful and without meaning.” (c)
Q:
Real dreams are the gifts the universe sends us to apologize for the quantum violence of human existence. (c)
All You Need to Change the World Is Faith and a Chainsaw (c) And some crappy music. Sounds like a plan, duh.
Q:
“I don’t want to conquer anything. I just want to see new places. Or, rather, see really old places, for the first time. Isn’t that what you like doing?” (c)
Q:
“There’s no amendment protecting duct tape, Mr. Anders. There are no proscriptions against the phrase, ‘choked to death.’ I can call this what it was. (c)
Q:
Which was the reality? Was it the colorful apartments nestled together, the bland gray buildings . . . or something else entirely? Personal Implanted Perception chips made it impossible to know. (c)
Q:
The gun kicked in her hands, its barrel jerking skyward. Brandon dropped without a sound. The others raised their guns but she kept shooting and soldiers of the Lord that they were, most of them ran, trampling her garden. (c)
Q:
She starts looking, and she reads whatever she finds. Cover to cover, not caring about subject matter or style. It’s hard at first because she never went to school, but Letitia does what she puts her mind to, and she improves fast. She’s hunting knowledge. The past is past, burned to ashes and charred timbers, overgrown already with young trees striving upward. What is to come, that’s what matters. For her little boy Lucas, just born. For the other children she wants to have. She reads for them and also for herself, to nourish her mind because it is hungry for all the things it did not get when she was a child, following her parents through the woods and hoping something good would come next.
That’s not how she intends to spend her life. If there isn’t something good, she will build it. (c)
Q:
It is, by nature, a cautious machine. No one wants a bold gardener with grand ideas. (c)
Q:
“See, there’s no escape. We do what we have to do. That is the way of things. Take seconds where you find them, beauty in what you do. Have you read any Marcus Aurelius? I find stoicism helpful.” (c) Yeah, that's 2 robots talking. Nice!
Q:
“I remember reading somewhere that the reason we see the world of dreams as frivolous is not because of the objective ‘realness’ of the waking world, but because the world of dreams lacks continuity. If the narrative of one dream continued in the next, if our actions had consequence and weight, if the dream world were consistent and just a little more solid, then we would place as much value in them as we do in the ‘real world,’ and perhaps more. The only advantage reality offers us is the opportunity to manifest our will however we can. Otherwise it is cruel and painful and without meaning.” (c)
Q:
Real dreams are the gifts the universe sends us to apologize for the quantum violence of human existence. (c)
July 15, 2022
Each story was better than the one before. A great collection of thought provoking real feeling horror of the now. Somehow I escaped from the news of our 2022 existence by enjoying fictional versions of the same.
October 12, 2023
Reviewing The Dystopia Triptych together.
This is a great collection. Some of these stories really got me hooked - Hugh and Co have done a stellar job - but as expected in any anthology, there were also a couple that just didn't work for me, and that's fine. I read these books at the same time, following each author's story through the three books, before moving onto the next. I'd recommend this as you get the details, the impact, and closure as you go! And from these there were three authors that particularly stood out for me: Tim Pratt, Adam Troy Castro, and Seanan McGuire (and obviously Hugh Howey, but that doesn't need to be said).
Stories looking at issues across politics, healthcare, the prison system, inheritance, genetics, and more, really intrigue. If you're into dystopias, this collection is for you. The first book looks at problems in current society and what happens if we jump on the slippery slope. Book two builds on those ideas and dives into the worlds created and the impact on people's lives, with book three offering a bit of hope and a way to claw back out (although often through a revolution or war - never easily!).
For existing fans of Orwell, Bradbury, and Atwood, or those that have been lured into the genre by the likes of Black Mirror - you'll find something you love here!
This is a great collection. Some of these stories really got me hooked - Hugh and Co have done a stellar job - but as expected in any anthology, there were also a couple that just didn't work for me, and that's fine. I read these books at the same time, following each author's story through the three books, before moving onto the next. I'd recommend this as you get the details, the impact, and closure as you go! And from these there were three authors that particularly stood out for me: Tim Pratt, Adam Troy Castro, and Seanan McGuire (and obviously Hugh Howey, but that doesn't need to be said).
Stories looking at issues across politics, healthcare, the prison system, inheritance, genetics, and more, really intrigue. If you're into dystopias, this collection is for you. The first book looks at problems in current society and what happens if we jump on the slippery slope. Book two builds on those ideas and dives into the worlds created and the impact on people's lives, with book three offering a bit of hope and a way to claw back out (although often through a revolution or war - never easily!).
For existing fans of Orwell, Bradbury, and Atwood, or those that have been lured into the genre by the likes of Black Mirror - you'll find something you love here!
August 3, 2022
(I reviewed the whole Triptych together.)
Three for the price of one! I cannot remember where I read about these books, but some insta post or some article talked about them as having some of the best sci for short stories in years. I would have to agree.
.
My only beef with these is the unnecessary setup—if I can explain it coherently in a caption. There are 17 authors who each wrote three stories. Book 1 is sort of pre-apocalyptic situation (so one story from each other), book 2 is mid (the next story from each) and book 3 is post (the final story from each) or something like that. But each author’s stories are connected—it’s not three separate stories. So would I want to read all of Volume 1 first? No, I want to read all three of the stories by the same author in a row. Some have time jumps or are connected but not necessarily the same characters, etc. and some are SO connected that story 2 starts just a beat after story 1. So while I see what they were trying to do with the separation into three volumes, I’d say that was the part that didn’t do anything for me.
.
That said, there are some fantastic stories here. I dragged all three books out to my parents so I could make my dad read the Adam-Troy Castro trilogy (SO GOOD), I was also blown away by Alex Irvine’s three. Cadwell Turnbull’s stories were also a standout. But really, I liked them all. There really wasn’t a dud in the bunch (51 stories total). It did feel to me like the Tim Pratt stories in book 2 and 3 were in the wrong order. And the Darcie Little Badger stories were enjoyable but I felt like I missed their overall message/theme.
.
This collection is totally worth your time. I’m excited to explore more stuff by these authors, many of whom I had never encountered before.
Three for the price of one! I cannot remember where I read about these books, but some insta post or some article talked about them as having some of the best sci for short stories in years. I would have to agree.
.
My only beef with these is the unnecessary setup—if I can explain it coherently in a caption. There are 17 authors who each wrote three stories. Book 1 is sort of pre-apocalyptic situation (so one story from each other), book 2 is mid (the next story from each) and book 3 is post (the final story from each) or something like that. But each author’s stories are connected—it’s not three separate stories. So would I want to read all of Volume 1 first? No, I want to read all three of the stories by the same author in a row. Some have time jumps or are connected but not necessarily the same characters, etc. and some are SO connected that story 2 starts just a beat after story 1. So while I see what they were trying to do with the separation into three volumes, I’d say that was the part that didn’t do anything for me.
.
That said, there are some fantastic stories here. I dragged all three books out to my parents so I could make my dad read the Adam-Troy Castro trilogy (SO GOOD), I was also blown away by Alex Irvine’s three. Cadwell Turnbull’s stories were also a standout. But really, I liked them all. There really wasn’t a dud in the bunch (51 stories total). It did feel to me like the Tim Pratt stories in book 2 and 3 were in the wrong order. And the Darcie Little Badger stories were enjoyable but I felt like I missed their overall message/theme.
.
This collection is totally worth your time. I’m excited to explore more stuff by these authors, many of whom I had never encountered before.
January 23, 2023
(4.0 Stars)
So.... I read the first book and most of the stories just missed the mark, didn't feel complete. After listening to the first ten minutes of this book I realized that the stories from the first book are all continued in this book
I really thought that this was a three-book collection of stories with similar themes from different authors. And it is, but it is the same authors in all three books, and stories that span all three books.
Now that I am on the same page (pun intended) with the editors, I am enjoying these stories, and these books much better.
I've already started the third and final book in the series.
So.... I read the first book and most of the stories just missed the mark, didn't feel complete. After listening to the first ten minutes of this book I realized that the stories from the first book are all continued in this book
I really thought that this was a three-book collection of stories with similar themes from different authors. And it is, but it is the same authors in all three books, and stories that span all three books.
Now that I am on the same page (pun intended) with the editors, I am enjoying these stories, and these books much better.
I've already started the third and final book in the series.
December 6, 2020
The second in the Dystopian Triptych anthology trilogy.
Another overall really good set of stories, each of which continues the 'verse they started in the first book in the series, Ignorance is Strength.
My favourites among this group:
01. Our Lady of Perpetual Disdain – Deep/Fake 2 by Rich Larson
His lead off story for this universe in book one was not one of my favourites, but the writing in this one just blew me away. The story, which sounds kind of crazy distilled into a sentence, involves a near-future in which people are (often willingly) controlled by an insane AI. Think groups of murderous children who believe they are killing monsters in a video game. This story involves people in a hospital plunged into chaos and the frenetic writing perfectly matches the story.
02. The Proscribed Words – Target 2 by Adam-Troy Castro
Castro gives us another look at the ultra-right-wing world he created in his first story, The Truth About The Boy, and this one is equally shocking because, quite frankly, it's really not all that difficult to imagine it happening. That's Mr. Castro's gift, I think. He's a great writer.
03. Conscription – Harvest 2 by Seanan McGuire
This one involves forced organ donation to pay off debt. There's a slow, oozing creepiness to this one that just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
04. The Fruits of Their Labour – Robots Rise 2 by Tobias S. Buckell
What struck me about his one is just how much I really like the main character, a massive self-aware construction robot. I think it takes great skill to give humanity to a character like this. Looking forward to see how it all turns out in book three.
05. Believe in the Law, For the Law is Real – Lawless 2 by Merc Fenn Wolfmoor
A bit Handmaid's Tale-ish and a bit difficult to read for the same reason – I just want to shout at these women to stand up and fight – but with a great ending that left me looking forward to part 3.
Another overall really good set of stories, each of which continues the 'verse they started in the first book in the series, Ignorance is Strength.
My favourites among this group:
01. Our Lady of Perpetual Disdain – Deep/Fake 2 by Rich Larson
His lead off story for this universe in book one was not one of my favourites, but the writing in this one just blew me away. The story, which sounds kind of crazy distilled into a sentence, involves a near-future in which people are (often willingly) controlled by an insane AI. Think groups of murderous children who believe they are killing monsters in a video game. This story involves people in a hospital plunged into chaos and the frenetic writing perfectly matches the story.
02. The Proscribed Words – Target 2 by Adam-Troy Castro
Castro gives us another look at the ultra-right-wing world he created in his first story, The Truth About The Boy, and this one is equally shocking because, quite frankly, it's really not all that difficult to imagine it happening. That's Mr. Castro's gift, I think. He's a great writer.
03. Conscription – Harvest 2 by Seanan McGuire
This one involves forced organ donation to pay off debt. There's a slow, oozing creepiness to this one that just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
04. The Fruits of Their Labour – Robots Rise 2 by Tobias S. Buckell
What struck me about his one is just how much I really like the main character, a massive self-aware construction robot. I think it takes great skill to give humanity to a character like this. Looking forward to see how it all turns out in book three.
05. Believe in the Law, For the Law is Real – Lawless 2 by Merc Fenn Wolfmoor
A bit Handmaid's Tale-ish and a bit difficult to read for the same reason – I just want to shout at these women to stand up and fight – but with a great ending that left me looking forward to part 3.
January 1, 2022
The continuation of the stories from the fall and how far down the slippery slope society has fallen. It was exciting to see the stories from the first installment being continued and how their “universes” have progressed. Exited to jump into the third installment.
August 19, 2021
Hard and very real
May 24, 2024
Hit and miss - some great stories, but some weak ones too.
May 31, 2025
This was fun. I remember some of these story worlds from the previous book and now I need some novels from some of these short stories.
September 26, 2020
Done some really good follow ons in the stories. Managed to stay reasonably strong in the 2nd part. Some are very disturbing and sadly all too believable
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews