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Starship Teapot #0.5
Stardust Wake
They’ve been friends since childhood. But can their friendship survive adult reality?
Confirmed geeks and childhood friends, Lem and Devon are looking forward to reuniting at a convention. Despite their diverging lives and their fair share of secrets, their shared love of cosplay and science fiction brings them together in ways that nothing else could.
But not all friendships are perfect. When their old schoolfriend Nerys joins them for the day, rifts soon begin to show as the three realise how far they’ve grown apart.
Struggling with Nerys’s insensitivity and her misguided approach to non-binary gender expression, the group are determined to make the most of their time together and embrace their nerdy selves. But with tensions rising, can their friendship withstand the dramatic ways their lives have changed?
A short, thought-provoking backdrop to the author’s White Hart series and her Starship Teapot series, Stardust Wake provides an insightful glimpse at complex issues while brimming with passion for all things geek.
Confirmed geeks and childhood friends, Lem and Devon are looking forward to reuniting at a convention. Despite their diverging lives and their fair share of secrets, their shared love of cosplay and science fiction brings them together in ways that nothing else could.
But not all friendships are perfect. When their old schoolfriend Nerys joins them for the day, rifts soon begin to show as the three realise how far they’ve grown apart.
Struggling with Nerys’s insensitivity and her misguided approach to non-binary gender expression, the group are determined to make the most of their time together and embrace their nerdy selves. But with tensions rising, can their friendship withstand the dramatic ways their lives have changed?
A short, thought-provoking backdrop to the author’s White Hart series and her Starship Teapot series, Stardust Wake provides an insightful glimpse at complex issues while brimming with passion for all things geek.
37 pages, ebook
Published April 11, 2021
About the author
Si Clarke
17 books111 followersSI CLARKE is a misanthrope who lives in Deptford, sarf ees London. She shares her home with her partner and an assortment of waifs and strays. When not writing convoluted, inefficient stories, she spends her time telling financial services firms to behave more efficiently. When not doing either of those things, she can be found in the pub or shouting at people online – occasionally practising efficiency by doing both at once.
As someone who’s neurodivergent, an immigrant, and the proud owner of an invisible disability, she strives to present a diverse array of characters in her stories.
As someone who’s neurodivergent, an immigrant, and the proud owner of an invisible disability, she strives to present a diverse array of characters in her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 29, 2024
3 Stars
In all honesty, not much happens here except to introduce characters for Clarke’s other novels, specifically Lem for The Left Hand of Dog and Lem’s BFF Devon for Devon's Island.
This features cast diversity amongst cosplay, conventions, and gaming. Having just finished Left Hand of Dog, I don’t really feel this is necessary to read but I guess if you’re a purist, this is currently free on Amazon.
In all honesty, not much happens here except to introduce characters for Clarke’s other novels, specifically Lem for The Left Hand of Dog and Lem’s BFF Devon for Devon's Island.
This features cast diversity amongst cosplay, conventions, and gaming. Having just finished Left Hand of Dog, I don’t really feel this is necessary to read but I guess if you’re a purist, this is currently free on Amazon.
January 10, 2024
2.5 stars, rounded to 3 since goodreads doesn't do half stars.
I felt the was a prologue more than a short story itself. It just basically shared the stories and their interests with a bit of cosplay, geeky/gaming references and such. I enjoyed those bits, but no climax or exciting point to truly reel you in. So I was left bored. I did enjoy the characters themselves just expected something to reel me in to make me want to read the other stories.
I felt the was a prologue more than a short story itself. It just basically shared the stories and their interests with a bit of cosplay, geeky/gaming references and such. I enjoyed those bits, but no climax or exciting point to truly reel you in. So I was left bored. I did enjoy the characters themselves just expected something to reel me in to make me want to read the other stories.
March 17, 2021
~I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review~
This novella, a short story set at a convention with friends playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons, presented a lot of LGBT+ themes around gender identity and expression, but seems to be framed as a prequel rather than a standalone novel. It wasn't as rounded of a story as I would have liked, but it certainly did well at introducing interesting neurodivergent and LGBT+ characters with complex friendships and circumstances to navigate tied to their identities.
I'd recommend this to readers who are curious about Si Clarke's diverse Sci-Fi White Hart series. It starts with Devon's Island which features autistic scientist MC, Devon, as they plan for a colonization mission to Mars.
Thanks to the author for an ARC via BookSirens.
This novella, a short story set at a convention with friends playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons, presented a lot of LGBT+ themes around gender identity and expression, but seems to be framed as a prequel rather than a standalone novel. It wasn't as rounded of a story as I would have liked, but it certainly did well at introducing interesting neurodivergent and LGBT+ characters with complex friendships and circumstances to navigate tied to their identities.
I'd recommend this to readers who are curious about Si Clarke's diverse Sci-Fi White Hart series. It starts with Devon's Island which features autistic scientist MC, Devon, as they plan for a colonization mission to Mars.
Thanks to the author for an ARC via BookSirens.
April 24, 2021
This little story was far from disappointing. As a geeky trans girl myself, I was delighted to find such a fun and well written story featuring characters I could relate to. I'm not sure if the game they played in the story is a real one or not but it sounded incredibly fun and I wish I could play it lol. Now I am very interested in the characters and happy to know there are entire books featuring them.
March 26, 2021
Stardust Wake is a quick and short read that clocks in at 35 pages and is a story about a group of friends playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons together. I will confess that it was a bit too short for me to really connect with the characters and the story in general - which was not much of a story to begin with. I desperately wanted to love Lem and Devon, but ultimately I just couldn't vibe with them and it's sad because I crave good representation in books I just need more info and time with the characters and I was not getting it with this novella. The antagonist character, Nerys, was very lackluster and very typical in the characterization that I just felt bored by it all. I realize this story is likely a prequel to stories to follow within a shared universe, but not knowing this could really make this novella feel weird to read as a stand alone.
The writing is really good, and the focus on showing a lot of prominent LGBT+ themes is always a positive in the books I like to read. Although it's length is very short the author still took moments to highlight gender identity and expression, neurodivergent characters, and an added bonus of all the nerdy quips. I especially loved having a character called Nerys - my absolute favourite character from Star Trek Deep Space Nine - even if she is the token straight friend who constantly misgenders our main character Lem and is in general not liked and unwelcome to the plot.
That said this a read that doesn't require a ton of commitment and can be finished in under 30 minutes so would I say give it a read? Eh, maybe? It reads, in my opinion, as a very disjointed story that has no clear trajectory or plot really. It's just a bunch of people who play an awkward game of DnD, and then...it's over. I loved the representation, but the story itself was very bland for me.
Thanks to BookSirens for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinion.
The writing is really good, and the focus on showing a lot of prominent LGBT+ themes is always a positive in the books I like to read. Although it's length is very short the author still took moments to highlight gender identity and expression, neurodivergent characters, and an added bonus of all the nerdy quips. I especially loved having a character called Nerys - my absolute favourite character from Star Trek Deep Space Nine - even if she is the token straight friend who constantly misgenders our main character Lem and is in general not liked and unwelcome to the plot.
That said this a read that doesn't require a ton of commitment and can be finished in under 30 minutes so would I say give it a read? Eh, maybe? It reads, in my opinion, as a very disjointed story that has no clear trajectory or plot really. It's just a bunch of people who play an awkward game of DnD, and then...it's over. I loved the representation, but the story itself was very bland for me.
Thanks to BookSirens for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinion.
April 18, 2021
SI's writing style continues to evolve with each work and I'm looking forward to the series attached to this story.
I feel like this story relies pretty heavily on knowing Devon already, which will make this good for newer readers and perhaps harder to penetrate for newer ones. It serves as a good glimpse into Devon's personal life and stuff before her adventures to Mars, while introducing readers to Lem.
Nerys was clearly the antagonist here and while there are definitely people in real life that suck like Nerys, the character still feels like a composite of the "well-intentioned liberal" that considers "wokeness" to be a passing trend and will follow along with a wink and a nudge and can't see people for who they really are.
I feel like this story relies pretty heavily on knowing Devon already, which will make this good for newer readers and perhaps harder to penetrate for newer ones. It serves as a good glimpse into Devon's personal life and stuff before her adventures to Mars, while introducing readers to Lem.
Nerys was clearly the antagonist here and while there are definitely people in real life that suck like Nerys, the character still feels like a composite of the "well-intentioned liberal" that considers "wokeness" to be a passing trend and will follow along with a wink and a nudge and can't see people for who they really are.
November 11, 2024
“in this house, we respect people’s identities. nerys, if you can’t treat people with basic human dignity, you’re welcome to leave right now.”
i know this is a prequel but decided better to read the left hand of dog first so i could get to know the characters etc. i haven’t read devon’s series yet, but this was a great introduction to her character and i’m excited to read more about her!
again challenged my assumptions about gender - devon must be masculine in my head bc i for some reason again assumed male until said otherwise!! not loving this realisation about myself and my biases but glad i’m aware of it now…
“non-binary people are who they tell you they are”!! on the topic of gendered assumptions - love this ongoing theme that not all nb people use they/them pronouns - despite what nerys thinks, theory can only take us so far and while theory is really important and can be a good foundation, real life is not that simple and it’s shitty to act like the theory you learn is more valid than people’s lived experiences and identities - listen to individual people and their preferences!! (similarly with autism v autistic etc)
other things i loved: neurodivergent and disability rep, happily accommodating friends needs, the little digs at americans at the start of each story about how british english isn’t scary lol, space themed d&d, spock origin story
“i was keenly aware of my aloneness as I gazed out the window…. what would life be like with someone who loves and accepts me for who i am and who’ll never judge me based on who they think I should be? someone who’ll be by my side every day – not just at holidays?”
i know this is a prequel but decided better to read the left hand of dog first so i could get to know the characters etc. i haven’t read devon’s series yet, but this was a great introduction to her character and i’m excited to read more about her!
again challenged my assumptions about gender - devon must be masculine in my head bc i for some reason again assumed male until said otherwise!! not loving this realisation about myself and my biases but glad i’m aware of it now…
“non-binary people are who they tell you they are”!! on the topic of gendered assumptions - love this ongoing theme that not all nb people use they/them pronouns - despite what nerys thinks, theory can only take us so far and while theory is really important and can be a good foundation, real life is not that simple and it’s shitty to act like the theory you learn is more valid than people’s lived experiences and identities - listen to individual people and their preferences!! (similarly with autism v autistic etc)
other things i loved: neurodivergent and disability rep, happily accommodating friends needs, the little digs at americans at the start of each story about how british english isn’t scary lol, space themed d&d, spock origin story
“i was keenly aware of my aloneness as I gazed out the window…. what would life be like with someone who loves and accepts me for who i am and who’ll never judge me based on who they think I should be? someone who’ll be by my side every day – not just at holidays?”
January 27, 2023
A clever way to show how some people can ostensibly do the right thing- in a totally insulting way. I loved the twelve year old game master, and the Con experience. The story itself was a prequel, where we got to know a facet of Lem’s personality, yet we didn’t really get to know who she could be before the “Left hand of dog.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2021
Adorable
This story struck me as adorable and sweet. All the characters except one were just fun and enjoying spending time together.
This story struck me as adorable and sweet. All the characters except one were just fun and enjoying spending time together.
November 15, 2021
Cosplay and DND
Too short. Needs more depth. Interactions are very good, shows friendship. Some more action in the DnD game being played.
Too short. Needs more depth. Interactions are very good, shows friendship. Some more action in the DnD game being played.
March 21, 2021
It‘s been a while since I last read a short story and „Stardust Wake“ was just the compact and fun read that I needed.
The novella follows a group of childhood friends, now in their late-twenties, meeting up for a convention and a D&D game. The clear difference between then and now serves as a constant reminder that not all things are forever, but not all change is bad.
Touching upon sensitive subjects in a genuine tone and painting a realistic picture of friend group dynamics in that short of a book is quite a feat and Si Clarke managed to pull it off well. I loved seeing inclusive representation and the diversity of characters by age (a grandma rocking painting-like makeup at a con? would love more of that!).
All in all, I‘d recommend this short story to anyone (as it is worthwhile and won‘t take up much of your time), but especially those, who feel like growing up takes friends and happiness away and forces you to rush things.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The novella follows a group of childhood friends, now in their late-twenties, meeting up for a convention and a D&D game. The clear difference between then and now serves as a constant reminder that not all things are forever, but not all change is bad.
Touching upon sensitive subjects in a genuine tone and painting a realistic picture of friend group dynamics in that short of a book is quite a feat and Si Clarke managed to pull it off well. I loved seeing inclusive representation and the diversity of characters by age (a grandma rocking painting-like makeup at a con? would love more of that!).
All in all, I‘d recommend this short story to anyone (as it is worthwhile and won‘t take up much of your time), but especially those, who feel like growing up takes friends and happiness away and forces you to rush things.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 21, 2021
Stardust Wake is a short story that serves to connect Si Clarke's White Hart series and an upcoming series. In prefacing this review, I would like to note that I have not read the White Hart series and after reading this short story, I don't plan to.
Lem and Devon get together with some of their geekier friends at a convention one weekend and play a game of D&D. Despite not being invited, one of their other childhood friends, Nerys, joins the game as well, only to misgender and mis-label her supposed friends. It's clear even in just this small slice of life that the three friends have grown and changed and may not be a good fit for each other anymore, but there was really no action or conclusion in this short story - just a somewhat uncomfortable game of D&D that sort of petered out.
A plus for representation, but not my cup of tea.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, in exchange for an honest review.
Lem and Devon get together with some of their geekier friends at a convention one weekend and play a game of D&D. Despite not being invited, one of their other childhood friends, Nerys, joins the game as well, only to misgender and mis-label her supposed friends. It's clear even in just this small slice of life that the three friends have grown and changed and may not be a good fit for each other anymore, but there was really no action or conclusion in this short story - just a somewhat uncomfortable game of D&D that sort of petered out.
A plus for representation, but not my cup of tea.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2021
This review is left of my own will; I received a free ARC by Booksirens.
I think it's pretty safe to say that Si Clarke can write literally anything and I will do everything I can to get my hands on it. Is this because of the TERF "warning" at the beginning of the book? Among other things.
I adore everything she writes. Inculsion? That woman invented the word!
White Hart is absolutely perfect and yes, I still haven't read the first novel, shame on me...
However, this one... The only issue I had with this was that is was so short. I wanted so much more! Matter of fact, I DO want much more of the White Hart-series. I want more of Devon and the settlers on Mars. I enjoy reading about all these characters so much.
Si Clark has such a majestic cast of characters and it's such a wonderfully colourful one. I am looking forward to the next book of the White Hart series, especially since this little one was too short for my taste.
I think it's pretty safe to say that Si Clarke can write literally anything and I will do everything I can to get my hands on it. Is this because of the TERF "warning" at the beginning of the book? Among other things.
I adore everything she writes. Inculsion? That woman invented the word!
White Hart is absolutely perfect and yes, I still haven't read the first novel, shame on me...
However, this one... The only issue I had with this was that is was so short. I wanted so much more! Matter of fact, I DO want much more of the White Hart-series. I want more of Devon and the settlers on Mars. I enjoy reading about all these characters so much.
Si Clark has such a majestic cast of characters and it's such a wonderfully colourful one. I am looking forward to the next book of the White Hart series, especially since this little one was too short for my taste.
September 27, 2022
I read Stardust Wake in a single sitting and immediately started in on the follow up novel. Great characters with very believable personalities and dynamics. And I loved the ending!! Without spoilers… Spock is my favourite kind of character.
Note: this is not LitRPG in which the players are inside a game and you are inundated with stats, mobs, and loot. It is LitRPG in that it includes a scene where characters play an old-school RPG game while other stuff is going on. I typically don’t enjoy LitRPG, but I loved the way this was executed.
Note: this is not LitRPG in which the players are inside a game and you are inundated with stats, mobs, and loot. It is LitRPG in that it includes a scene where characters play an old-school RPG game while other stuff is going on. I typically don’t enjoy LitRPG, but I loved the way this was executed.
March 25, 2021
Received as a review copy, this is an honest review. Lem and Devon have been friends for a long time and share a love of geeking out on a fictional worlds they love. Their deep friendship is challenge as they join up with another friend at a convention; confronting the reasons why they grew apart in their journey to be accepted This may be a short, quick read but its look into the realistic struggles facing the LGBTQ community with its well developed characters. Highly recommended.
February 1, 2022
No surprise with the story's dimension - a day in the life of Lem. This short story introduces Lem's life before The Left Hand of Dog. I enjoyed peaking in and getting to know Lem better. It's not my normal genre with such diversity. I am intrigued. I'm grateful and I appreciate the way it is presented. Si Clarke has an unique deliverable. It is entertaining and the characters are believable folks I would enjoy meeting!!!
March 7, 2022
Received as a freebie for signing up for the author’s newsletter. Packed full of diverse characters, this short little intro story felt promising, but ultimately didn’t really go anywhere. The main plot line seemed to be about how people grow apart from one another - in this case, a truth told staged against a cosplay convention. Also, role playing games.
What I choose to take away from this story is that dogs are the best, and they make all things better.
What I choose to take away from this story is that dogs are the best, and they make all things better.
May 19, 2022
I enjoyed this prequel as it gave me a bit of background on the characters. I was especially happy to read about Lem and Spock in their origin beginning. I’ve read The Left Hand of Dog and I’m looking forward to Devon’s Island.
Stardust Wake is currently free on Kindle.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Stardust Wake is currently free on Kindle.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
April 2, 2022
I needed more Spock. And Nerys can just go and jump in the pond. I hope we get to meet Charley and Midnight again somewhere. I guess I'm going to have to get up to speed with Devon's story in Si's other books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2022
Can't wait to meet Spock. A witty and very geek intro to The Teapot series. Makes me want to roll dice in a Startrek outfit. Live long and prosper.
November 4, 2022
Short that introduce the leads in two series but there really isn't much connection. Still, I like backstories to characters I like, so there.
April 17, 2023
This story about a group of friends going to a sci-fi convention was OK, but Nerys was cast as too much of a villain, and there was no closure. They neither broke up with her nor served her comeuppance. I would have preferred a friend that made mistakes but tried harder, or for them to sit her down and say, "Hey, we've grown apart; maybe we don't fit anymore." Instead, they do the passive-aggressive thing many friends do and say she wasn't invited in the first place after she had already left.
I thought we were going down one of those paths, but then, at 52%, the story abruptly ended, and I was launched into previews of the author's other books, one of which I had already read. I get this was a freebie, but I hate previews in the back matter, especially multiples. Half the ebook shouldn't be an ad.
I thought we were going down one of those paths, but then, at 52%, the story abruptly ended, and I was launched into previews of the author's other books, one of which I had already read. I get this was a freebie, but I hate previews in the back matter, especially multiples. Half the ebook shouldn't be an ad.
August 23, 2023
Nice quick read. Gets you ready for some of the other series.
March 3, 2023
Not so much a story as a couple of vignettes. No plot. Liked seeing Lem in another setting. Liked seeing how Spock came to Lem.
March 29, 2021
This review is going to be pretty short. After all, this is only a short story. And, to be honest, I think that’s the reason I didn’t love this story more; I think I need to read the rest of the works/stories in this series.
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy reading this, though. Despite the short length, Clarke still gave some great insight into these characters. I liked reading about the dynamics between them and learning about the history of their relationships. And I’ll definitely be checking out the other books with these characters; I want to read more about them!
Of course, I also loved the D&D scene in this short story. How could I not? It definitely seemed like an awesome campaign, by the way. (And if anyone wants to hear more about my character, Shrekira… You are more than welcome to reach out and ask.)
But the part I liked most about this novel was the agender representation. Obviously, there needs to be better representation in books in general, but I realized while reading this that I can’t name another book I’ve read with agender characters. And Clarke tied in a lot of important real-world issues relating to gender identity and expression that definitely need more attention.
The neurodivergent representation was amazing, too. One of the main characters in this short story is autistic, and she is the central character of another of Clarke’s novels. And I actually did some more research on Clarke and her work, and the representation and diversity in her books are just amazing.
I definitely recommend reading this, but I also recommend reading some of the other books first. I think that might allow for a better connection with the characters in this book. Personally, I can’t wait to read more! But, that being said, this short story had so much going for it, and I really think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
(I received an ARC of this book for free through BookSirens; I'm leaving this review voluntarily and obviously all the thoughts and opinions I've expressed are unbiased and wholly my own!)
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy reading this, though. Despite the short length, Clarke still gave some great insight into these characters. I liked reading about the dynamics between them and learning about the history of their relationships. And I’ll definitely be checking out the other books with these characters; I want to read more about them!
Of course, I also loved the D&D scene in this short story. How could I not? It definitely seemed like an awesome campaign, by the way. (And if anyone wants to hear more about my character, Shrekira… You are more than welcome to reach out and ask.)
But the part I liked most about this novel was the agender representation. Obviously, there needs to be better representation in books in general, but I realized while reading this that I can’t name another book I’ve read with agender characters. And Clarke tied in a lot of important real-world issues relating to gender identity and expression that definitely need more attention.
The neurodivergent representation was amazing, too. One of the main characters in this short story is autistic, and she is the central character of another of Clarke’s novels. And I actually did some more research on Clarke and her work, and the representation and diversity in her books are just amazing.
I definitely recommend reading this, but I also recommend reading some of the other books first. I think that might allow for a better connection with the characters in this book. Personally, I can’t wait to read more! But, that being said, this short story had so much going for it, and I really think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
(I received an ARC of this book for free through BookSirens; I'm leaving this review voluntarily and obviously all the thoughts and opinions I've expressed are unbiased and wholly my own!)
March 22, 2021
Stardust Wake is a very short sidecar to the author's existing universe, and as such, doesn't read terribly, but also not terribly well to those of us who aren't part of her existing fanbase. We're definitely missing context. That said, I received it free as an ARC but I'm now interested in what she has to say and in this universe of characters. Clarke's writing is crisp and moves along well, and as a fellow Big Nerd myself, I gladly inhaled this 35-page tale in under 20 minutes.
My only real complaint is the characterization of the 'straight' woman, Nerys, who despite having been named after a DS9 character, has become the boring normie who insists on misgendering our MC and sneering at their nerd shenanigans. She seems over-the-top snooty for someone who actually deigned to show up at the convention and then play in an RPG, and it seems kind of weird that they're in their mid-twenties but she would come just because her mom said she had to. I know there have been times when I myself have written a character who acts very closely to how I recall someone acting IRL, only to step back and feel that it seemed unbelievable once on the page. That might be what's happening here, but she really does clash in the narrative with all the other characters that seem extremely believable.
Otherwise, hat tip to the deep nerd lore, here. ;) I'm interested in reading the full-length books in the series.
My only real complaint is the characterization of the 'straight' woman, Nerys, who despite having been named after a DS9 character, has become the boring normie who insists on misgendering our MC and sneering at their nerd shenanigans. She seems over-the-top snooty for someone who actually deigned to show up at the convention and then play in an RPG, and it seems kind of weird that they're in their mid-twenties but she would come just because her mom said she had to. I know there have been times when I myself have written a character who acts very closely to how I recall someone acting IRL, only to step back and feel that it seemed unbelievable once on the page. That might be what's happening here, but she really does clash in the narrative with all the other characters that seem extremely believable.
Otherwise, hat tip to the deep nerd lore, here. ;) I'm interested in reading the full-length books in the series.
July 27, 2023
4 stars - Cute little slice of life with Devon and Lem
When I saw this short story by Si Clarke featuring Devon and Lem (each protagonists/important characters in different series by Clarke) I could not resist.
This is just a cute slice of life story of Devon and Lem going to a Sci-Fi-Con, doing some role-playing with friends and just having a good time. We also meet an old friend of theirs who now seems to have switched to the dark (bigoted and prejudiced) side who constantly makes disrespectful and willfully ignorant remarks about Devon's autism and/or Lem's choice of gender and pronoun.
This did feel a bit heavy-handed as she clearly just served the role of the villain who is there to show us how NOT to do it, which for Clarke's audience is probably preaching to the choir.
Nevertheless, I do appreciate the sentiment so really I cannot mind. After all I do like Clarke for being inclusive and not tolerating bullshit.
Oh, and we also find out how Lem and Spock meet in the end, so cute.
I cannot wait for the next installment of the Mars Colony series for sure!
I have received an advance review copy from the author via BookSirens and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!
When I saw this short story by Si Clarke featuring Devon and Lem (each protagonists/important characters in different series by Clarke) I could not resist.
This is just a cute slice of life story of Devon and Lem going to a Sci-Fi-Con, doing some role-playing with friends and just having a good time. We also meet an old friend of theirs who now seems to have switched to the dark (bigoted and prejudiced) side who constantly makes disrespectful and willfully ignorant remarks about Devon's autism and/or Lem's choice of gender and pronoun.
This did feel a bit heavy-handed as she clearly just served the role of the villain who is there to show us how NOT to do it, which for Clarke's audience is probably preaching to the choir.
Nevertheless, I do appreciate the sentiment so really I cannot mind. After all I do like Clarke for being inclusive and not tolerating bullshit.
Oh, and we also find out how Lem and Spock meet in the end, so cute.
I cannot wait for the next installment of the Mars Colony series for sure!
I have received an advance review copy from the author via BookSirens and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!
August 14, 2024
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC. Having already encountered Lem in another book by this author, I was delighted to see the origins of Spock! I also liked the D&D-style story in the middle - Midnight seemed like a great character. As someone who runs a school D&D club, I am well aware that kids often make the best DMs, and I loved that the characters could recognise that. Intergenerational gaming is so important!
August 4, 2021
Going into the short story I was pretty excited but I felt as though it fell flat for me. I loved the diversity and the representation of a non-binary character who did not use they/them pronouns. I just felt as though it was a cool little read but it didn’t quite stick out to me. Nothing was resolved quite. I would’ve loved a more clear motive. I just felt as though I was reading about a dungeons and dragons game that could’ve gone on between any group of people in the world. I felt as though it was lacking something with more of a pow. I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving Thai review voluntarily.
June 14, 2021
I could not believe it - a character named after one of very my favorite characters on Deep Space Nine Nerys. She played such a strong woman in the television series that it may have interfered with my judgement here - as here she was the straight friend and as a whole was not very liable in this book. The novel was a bit short for me but the author begins to develop his characters and I look forward to their further development in upcoming novels. The story line was solid and I would encourage to read this short story!
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