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Queer Anthologies
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder
Into the queer new yonder!
To conclude the trio of anthologies that started with critically acclaimed All Out and Out Now, Out There features seventeen original short stories set in the future from fantastic queer YA authors.
Explore new and familiar worlds where the human consciousness can be uploaded into a body on Mars…an alien helps a girl decide if she should tell her best friend how she feels…two teens get stuck in a time loop at a space station…people are forced to travel to the past or the future to escape the dying planet…only a nonbinary person can translate the binary code of a machine that predicts the future…everyone in the world vanishes except for two teen girls who are in love.
This essential and beautifully written collection immerses and surprises with each turn of the page.
To conclude the trio of anthologies that started with critically acclaimed All Out and Out Now, Out There features seventeen original short stories set in the future from fantastic queer YA authors.
Explore new and familiar worlds where the human consciousness can be uploaded into a body on Mars…an alien helps a girl decide if she should tell her best friend how she feels…two teens get stuck in a time loop at a space station…people are forced to travel to the past or the future to escape the dying planet…only a nonbinary person can translate the binary code of a machine that predicts the future…everyone in the world vanishes except for two teen girls who are in love.
This essential and beautifully written collection immerses and surprises with each turn of the page.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2022
53 people are currently reading
7765 people want to read
About the author
Saundra Mitchell
30 books577 followersSaundra Mitchell is the author of SHADOWED SUMMER, THE VESPERTINE, THE SPRINGSWEET, THE ELEMENTALS, MISTWALKER, and ALL THE THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK. In non-fiction, she’s the author of the non-fiction THEY DID WHAT!? series for middle grade readers. Her first adult novel, THIS SIDE OF GONE, will be published by William Morrow in January 2026.
She’s also the co-author of the CAMP MURDERFACE series with Josh Berk, and the editor of four YA anthologies: DEFY THE DARK, ALL OUT, OUT NOW, and OUT THERE. She also adapted the hit Broadway Musical THE PROM for teen readers!
Mitchell writes under multiple pen names, including Jessa Holbrook (WHILE YOU’RE AWAY,) Alex Mallory (WILD,) and Rory Harrison (LOOKING FOR GROUP.)
SHADOWED SUMMER was the 2010 winner of The Society of Midland Authors Book Award for Children’s Fiction and a 2010 Edgar® Award Nominee. It was chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection and an ALAN Pick in 2009. In 2020, ALL THE THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK was a Lambda Finalist, and the winner of the Indiana Authors Award for Young Adult Fiction.
Her short story “Ready to Wear” was nominated for a 2007 Pushcart Prize after appearing in Vestal Review Issue 27. Her short fiction and non-fiction has appeared in anthologies including TRANSMOGRIFY!, FORESHADOW, YOU TOO?, A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS, FORETOLD, and DEAR BULLY.
For twenty years, she was the head screenwriter and an executive producer with Dreaming Tree Films on their various teen filmmaking programs, including the largest teen filmmaking program in the United States, Fresh Films. They produced more than four hundred films from her screenplays, and she earned Academy Award eligibility ten times during her tenure.
In other arenas, Ms. Mitchell was interviewed by the New York Times and the BBC for her part in exposing the Kaycee Nicole hoax, and she’s been tapped by morning radio shows all over the United States as a guest expert on Urban Legends & Folklore.
In her free time, she enjoys fandom, studying history, playing ttrpgs and video games, and spending time with her wife and daughters. Her pronouns are she/they.
She’s also the co-author of the CAMP MURDERFACE series with Josh Berk, and the editor of four YA anthologies: DEFY THE DARK, ALL OUT, OUT NOW, and OUT THERE. She also adapted the hit Broadway Musical THE PROM for teen readers!
Mitchell writes under multiple pen names, including Jessa Holbrook (WHILE YOU’RE AWAY,) Alex Mallory (WILD,) and Rory Harrison (LOOKING FOR GROUP.)
SHADOWED SUMMER was the 2010 winner of The Society of Midland Authors Book Award for Children’s Fiction and a 2010 Edgar® Award Nominee. It was chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection and an ALAN Pick in 2009. In 2020, ALL THE THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK was a Lambda Finalist, and the winner of the Indiana Authors Award for Young Adult Fiction.
Her short story “Ready to Wear” was nominated for a 2007 Pushcart Prize after appearing in Vestal Review Issue 27. Her short fiction and non-fiction has appeared in anthologies including TRANSMOGRIFY!, FORESHADOW, YOU TOO?, A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS, FORETOLD, and DEAR BULLY.
For twenty years, she was the head screenwriter and an executive producer with Dreaming Tree Films on their various teen filmmaking programs, including the largest teen filmmaking program in the United States, Fresh Films. They produced more than four hundred films from her screenplays, and she earned Academy Award eligibility ten times during her tenure.
In other arenas, Ms. Mitchell was interviewed by the New York Times and the BBC for her part in exposing the Kaycee Nicole hoax, and she’s been tapped by morning radio shows all over the United States as a guest expert on Urban Legends & Folklore.
In her free time, she enjoys fandom, studying history, playing ttrpgs and video games, and spending time with her wife and daughters. Her pronouns are she/they.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
July 5, 2022
3.5 - I enjoyed several of these short stories, but too many of them read like the opening chapters of longer books or even the beginning of a new series, which was rather unsatisfying. I appreciated the diversity, but am obviously not the correct reader for this anthology.
July 27, 2022
SO GOOD! Possibly the best anthology I've read?
Doublers: 5/5. Loved the writing, loved the story, loved the Company reference.
Aesthetically Hungry: 5/5. Also loved this one, especially its glimpse at what it would be like to be trans in a cyberpunk world.
The Rift: 4/5. I feel like this one had too much going on for a short story...the Chosen One element seemed to just be there to give a reason why Kiara wanted to but it felt like it could have been a whole other story in and of itself. However the way she used her wish-granting was super interesting and I liked the commentary on how even when she saved the world she was overlooked in favor of the white guy who was essentially her sidekick.
Renaissance: 5/5. Quite possibly my favorite in the collection? I was rooting for them so hard :(
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete: 5/5. Also tackles what it would be like to be trans in a world with incredibly advanced technology...with the added caveat of the technology being offered by the government so they can take advantage of trans guys who are desperate to be on T but are unable to get it another way and make them into super-soldiers. A bit of it reminded me of a thing in a sci-fi I'm working on. I feel like this would make a very good animated short.
Translating For the Machine: 4/5. Felt a bit too short but overall very good. I liked the concept of a nonbinary person being the only one to translate binary code without losing their mind and I loved the ending--it just would have done more for me if there had been more buildup.
Reshadow: 1.5/5 Aaaaand here's the first dud. Boo. I liked the twist at the end but everything else...no. I couldn't stand the main character and it felt needlessly confusing.
The Department of Homegoing Affairs: 5/5. Maybe the themes of losing a grandmother without closure are just hitting hard for me given earlier this year but yeah. Ouch.
The Undeniable Price of Everything: 1/5. I just...didn't get this one? I can't tell what I missed but something just never clicked. It was nice to see an aromantic MC though.
Present: Tense: 5/5. I really liked this one! The concept of, like, every cishet person being vanished was super interesting and I liked the open ending, as well as the revelation about the main character's mom.
Nick and Bodhi: 2/5. I didn't hate this one but I also didn't like it. It was distinctly more comedy (satire?) than the others and while I liked Bodhi, I couldn't stand Nick...although that is the point. Also, first trans girl lead I've read in one of these anthologies!
Crash Landing: 5/5. First off, so glad to finally see not one but two trans girl protagonists in one of these anthologies--I think there's one in Out Now, but I haven't read that collection yet. Second, this was so so so cute!!
Beauty Sleep: 1/5. I don't think I understood any of this. I do not care enough about Sleeping Beauty to enjoy all of the nods to it. Still excited to read Dow's other sci-fi works, but this didn't work for me.
Concerto: 3/5. Not my favorite but not my least favorite either. The premise was good but I wish we had seen more of the wormholes in action. Liked the ending.
H O M E: 5/5. My other favorite in the collection, but after loving The Weight of the Stars how can I be surprised? Tovah and Mira >>>>>
Fractal Eyes: 1/5. Also didn't get this one. My brain's not big enough for this. Liked the use of unconventional formatting but that's it.
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss At the End of the World: 5/5. Like Present: Tense this one deals with a mass vanishing, but more randomized. I've always enjoyed stories that go "what if almost everyone disappeared?" and this was no exception.
All in all, I loved most of the stories in this and even the ones I didn't like had some high points or interesting concepts. I have yet to read Out Now (since it's way easier to find queer contemporary fiction than queer sci-fi or historical fiction) but this countered a lot of critiques that I had (or in Out Now's case, seen) about the previous anthologies: the stories (for the most part) did not feel too long or too short and it had a wider array of diversity when it comes to gender and race. I do wish there had been more asexual and/or aromantic characters but I loved how much trans rep was in this one, especially compared to the others. I was worried that the worldbuilding would be too unexplained, too clunky, or too rushed, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well the authors established their worlds and how many different settings were tackled: cyperpunk, dystopian, climate crisis, mass disappearance, space exploration, aliens, super interactive technology, wormholes, time travel, settling on Mars, experimentation, worlds where there's just as much queerphobia and racism as today and worlds where there's none of that at all...it's a wide array of futures which made it fun to read.
Doublers: 5/5. Loved the writing, loved the story, loved the Company reference.
Aesthetically Hungry: 5/5. Also loved this one, especially its glimpse at what it would be like to be trans in a cyberpunk world.
The Rift: 4/5. I feel like this one had too much going on for a short story...the Chosen One element seemed to just be there to give a reason why Kiara wanted to but it felt like it could have been a whole other story in and of itself. However the way she used her wish-granting was super interesting and I liked the commentary on how even when she saved the world she was overlooked in favor of the white guy who was essentially her sidekick.
Renaissance: 5/5. Quite possibly my favorite in the collection? I was rooting for them so hard :(
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete: 5/5. Also tackles what it would be like to be trans in a world with incredibly advanced technology...with the added caveat of the technology being offered by the government so they can take advantage of trans guys who are desperate to be on T but are unable to get it another way and make them into super-soldiers. A bit of it reminded me of a thing in a sci-fi I'm working on. I feel like this would make a very good animated short.
Translating For the Machine: 4/5. Felt a bit too short but overall very good. I liked the concept of a nonbinary person being the only one to translate binary code without losing their mind and I loved the ending--it just would have done more for me if there had been more buildup.
Reshadow: 1.5/5 Aaaaand here's the first dud. Boo. I liked the twist at the end but everything else...no. I couldn't stand the main character and it felt needlessly confusing.
The Department of Homegoing Affairs: 5/5. Maybe the themes of losing a grandmother without closure are just hitting hard for me given earlier this year but yeah. Ouch.
The Undeniable Price of Everything: 1/5. I just...didn't get this one? I can't tell what I missed but something just never clicked. It was nice to see an aromantic MC though.
Present: Tense: 5/5. I really liked this one! The concept of, like, every cishet person being vanished was super interesting and I liked the open ending, as well as the revelation about the main character's mom.
Nick and Bodhi: 2/5. I didn't hate this one but I also didn't like it. It was distinctly more comedy (satire?) than the others and while I liked Bodhi, I couldn't stand Nick...although that is the point. Also, first trans girl lead I've read in one of these anthologies!
Crash Landing: 5/5. First off, so glad to finally see not one but two trans girl protagonists in one of these anthologies--I think there's one in Out Now, but I haven't read that collection yet. Second, this was so so so cute!!
Beauty Sleep: 1/5. I don't think I understood any of this. I do not care enough about Sleeping Beauty to enjoy all of the nods to it. Still excited to read Dow's other sci-fi works, but this didn't work for me.
Concerto: 3/5. Not my favorite but not my least favorite either. The premise was good but I wish we had seen more of the wormholes in action. Liked the ending.
H O M E: 5/5. My other favorite in the collection, but after loving The Weight of the Stars how can I be surprised? Tovah and Mira >>>>>
Fractal Eyes: 1/5. Also didn't get this one. My brain's not big enough for this. Liked the use of unconventional formatting but that's it.
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss At the End of the World: 5/5. Like Present: Tense this one deals with a mass vanishing, but more randomized. I've always enjoyed stories that go "what if almost everyone disappeared?" and this was no exception.
All in all, I loved most of the stories in this and even the ones I didn't like had some high points or interesting concepts. I have yet to read Out Now (since it's way easier to find queer contemporary fiction than queer sci-fi or historical fiction) but this countered a lot of critiques that I had (or in Out Now's case, seen) about the previous anthologies: the stories (for the most part) did not feel too long or too short and it had a wider array of diversity when it comes to gender and race. I do wish there had been more asexual and/or aromantic characters but I loved how much trans rep was in this one, especially compared to the others. I was worried that the worldbuilding would be too unexplained, too clunky, or too rushed, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well the authors established their worlds and how many different settings were tackled: cyperpunk, dystopian, climate crisis, mass disappearance, space exploration, aliens, super interactive technology, wormholes, time travel, settling on Mars, experimentation, worlds where there's just as much queerphobia and racism as today and worlds where there's none of that at all...it's a wide array of futures which made it fun to read.
Want to read
February 16, 2022INTO THE QUEER NEW YONDER. I KNEW ITTTTT.
January 31, 2022
Loved this anthology so much! List book was the perfect book to start with. It was such a fantastic collection of queer stories. I really loved that there's so many different authors and rep in this! I'll include a break down of rep and CWs that I noted at the end of this.
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder is the epitome of space gays. All of these stories are sci-fi and many of them involve space or space travel. Basically, this was the perfect anthology for me. I felt an instant connection to a lot of these stories, but the ones that I really loved were The Rift by Claire Kann, Translating for the Machine by Nita Tyndall, The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kalynn Bayron, The Undeniable Price of Everything by Z Brewer, Beauty Sleep by Alechia Dow and Concerto by Abdi Nazemian.
I think what surprised me most is that I'm not emotionally devastated and obsessed with K. Ancrum's story in this called H O M E. I might just need to reread it, but this one didn't have the same pull as K's other works and that makes me sad bc I love her so much.
The sad part of anthologies is that the stories are so short, but that's also what makes them great! All of these felt like full stories to me, but I do wish The Rift was longer. It ends filled with so much tension and a grand revenge scheme and I NEED IT. I would love to see Claire Kann write an asexual sci-fi story.
Rep & CWs:
Doublers by Alex London: gay MC, MLM relationship. CWs: outing, homophobia/homomisia, sexual content, death.
Aesthetically Hungry by Mato J. Steger: Native gay trans male MC, Native gay love interest. CWs: transphobia/transmisia, misgendering, medical content, violence, sexual harassment.
The Rift by Claire Kann: Black queer female MC, adopted by a Black mom, Asian female side character, biracial bisexual female side character, disabled male side character. CWs: domestic abuse, violence, murder, racism, death, bullying, death of parents.
Renaissance by Emma K. Ohland: F/F main pairing. CWs: climate disaster, classism, biphobia/bimisia, lesbophobia/lesbomisia.
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete by Z.R. Ellor: achillean trans male MC, achillean trans male love interest, gay male side character. CWs: Military themes, dysphoria, violence, gun violence.
Translating for the Machine by Nita Tyndall: sapphic nonbinary MC married to a queer woman. CWs: themes of colonisation, classism and imperialism.
Reshadow by Adam Sass: gay male MC, gay male side character.
The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kalynn Bayron: sapphic Black female MC and love interest, Black side characters. CW: Grief, death, death of grandparent.
The Undeniable Price of Everything by Z. Brewer: Aromantic nonbinary MC, female MC, fat male MC, queer side characters. CWs: Stalking, climate disaster, violence, panic attacks, murder.
Present Tense by Jim McCarthy: white gay male MC, demi pansexual female side character, bisexual female side character, queer male side character, trans male side character, bi male side character, lesbian female side character. CWs: panic attack, mass disappearances, religious bigotry, physical abuse, homophobia/homomisia, transphobia/transmisia, misgendering.
Nick and Bodhi by Naomi Kanakia: Brown trans female MC, Black female side character, nonbinary side character. CWs: murder, death, transphobia/transmisia, bullying, queerphobia/queermisia, racism.
Crash Landing by Mason Deaver: white trans female MC with anxiety, alien side character, sapphic female side character. CWs: mental illness, spaceship crash.
Beauty Sleep by Alechia Dow: Black female MC and love interest, sapphic female side character. CWs: colonisation, confinement, violence, ship crash.
Concerto by Abdi Nazemian: Iranian-American gay male MC, Colombian-American gay male love interest. CWs: homophobia/homomisia, cancer, civil war mentions (Iranian Revolution), death of grandparent.
H O M E by K. Ancrum: pan Black female MC, Indian nonbinary love interest.
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike: queer Black female MC.
Nobody Cares who we Kiss at the End of the World by Leah Johnson: Black sapphic female MC and love interest. CWs: lesbophobia/lesbomisia, biphobia/bimisia, religious bigotry, end of the world.
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder is the epitome of space gays. All of these stories are sci-fi and many of them involve space or space travel. Basically, this was the perfect anthology for me. I felt an instant connection to a lot of these stories, but the ones that I really loved were The Rift by Claire Kann, Translating for the Machine by Nita Tyndall, The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kalynn Bayron, The Undeniable Price of Everything by Z Brewer, Beauty Sleep by Alechia Dow and Concerto by Abdi Nazemian.
I think what surprised me most is that I'm not emotionally devastated and obsessed with K. Ancrum's story in this called H O M E. I might just need to reread it, but this one didn't have the same pull as K's other works and that makes me sad bc I love her so much.
The sad part of anthologies is that the stories are so short, but that's also what makes them great! All of these felt like full stories to me, but I do wish The Rift was longer. It ends filled with so much tension and a grand revenge scheme and I NEED IT. I would love to see Claire Kann write an asexual sci-fi story.
Rep & CWs:
Doublers by Alex London: gay MC, MLM relationship. CWs: outing, homophobia/homomisia, sexual content, death.
Aesthetically Hungry by Mato J. Steger: Native gay trans male MC, Native gay love interest. CWs: transphobia/transmisia, misgendering, medical content, violence, sexual harassment.
The Rift by Claire Kann: Black queer female MC, adopted by a Black mom, Asian female side character, biracial bisexual female side character, disabled male side character. CWs: domestic abuse, violence, murder, racism, death, bullying, death of parents.
Renaissance by Emma K. Ohland: F/F main pairing. CWs: climate disaster, classism, biphobia/bimisia, lesbophobia/lesbomisia.
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete by Z.R. Ellor: achillean trans male MC, achillean trans male love interest, gay male side character. CWs: Military themes, dysphoria, violence, gun violence.
Translating for the Machine by Nita Tyndall: sapphic nonbinary MC married to a queer woman. CWs: themes of colonisation, classism and imperialism.
Reshadow by Adam Sass: gay male MC, gay male side character.
The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kalynn Bayron: sapphic Black female MC and love interest, Black side characters. CW: Grief, death, death of grandparent.
The Undeniable Price of Everything by Z. Brewer: Aromantic nonbinary MC, female MC, fat male MC, queer side characters. CWs: Stalking, climate disaster, violence, panic attacks, murder.
Present Tense by Jim McCarthy: white gay male MC, demi pansexual female side character, bisexual female side character, queer male side character, trans male side character, bi male side character, lesbian female side character. CWs: panic attack, mass disappearances, religious bigotry, physical abuse, homophobia/homomisia, transphobia/transmisia, misgendering.
Nick and Bodhi by Naomi Kanakia: Brown trans female MC, Black female side character, nonbinary side character. CWs: murder, death, transphobia/transmisia, bullying, queerphobia/queermisia, racism.
Crash Landing by Mason Deaver: white trans female MC with anxiety, alien side character, sapphic female side character. CWs: mental illness, spaceship crash.
Beauty Sleep by Alechia Dow: Black female MC and love interest, sapphic female side character. CWs: colonisation, confinement, violence, ship crash.
Concerto by Abdi Nazemian: Iranian-American gay male MC, Colombian-American gay male love interest. CWs: homophobia/homomisia, cancer, civil war mentions (Iranian Revolution), death of grandparent.
H O M E by K. Ancrum: pan Black female MC, Indian nonbinary love interest.
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike: queer Black female MC.
Nobody Cares who we Kiss at the End of the World by Leah Johnson: Black sapphic female MC and love interest. CWs: lesbophobia/lesbomisia, biphobia/bimisia, religious bigotry, end of the world.
May 28, 2022
saundra mitchell’s queer YA a anthologies are honestly one of the best things inkyard press has ever published. give this to all the queer teens who want to discover more authors!!
May 15, 2022
One of my all time favorite anthologies now! I have really enjoyed this series and the line up of authors they have in each book.
With most anthologies I feel like I find myself DNFing more stories than not, but with this one I only felt the need to DNF two. Most of the stories were super intriguing and I loved all the unique world building explored here and they were several I even ended up rereading!
My personal faves were:
Doublers by Alex London (gay, mlm)
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete by ZR Ellor (trans ftm, mlm)
Reshadow by Adam Saass (gay, mlm)
The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kaylyn Barron (wlw, sapphic)
Home by K. Ancrum (intersex)
With most anthologies I feel like I find myself DNFing more stories than not, but with this one I only felt the need to DNF two. Most of the stories were super intriguing and I loved all the unique world building explored here and they were several I even ended up rereading!
My personal faves were:
Doublers by Alex London (gay, mlm)
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete by ZR Ellor (trans ftm, mlm)
Reshadow by Adam Saass (gay, mlm)
The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kaylyn Barron (wlw, sapphic)
Home by K. Ancrum (intersex)
Read
October 6, 2022I heard queer sci-fi stories I thought oh cool, queer teens falling in love on a spaceship with an alien or something. Not every other story being "oh the earth is dying, the atmosphere exploded, the sky is dust, and its all our fault". Like yes I know we are absolutely fucked in the future but bro you said sci-fi not "everyone is dying in the future lol"????
Simply cannot count how many were like this and then there were so many that were so depressing. Also multiple time loops and people disappearing, did they not talk to each other about what they were wearing that day or??
It wasn't really queer teens falling in love, it was queer teens in shitty sci-fi situations but also they gay. I will give credit that it was very diverse and that was the best part. But saying "oh yeah queer teens can also be dying from a dust cloud in the future while the rich leave on a spaceship" is not the book I was looking for. I do understand now the assignment was future and not fun space stories lol rip.
Also every story was trying too much?? It was like it was the beginning of a full novel instead of a short story and I feel like... all of these could have been saved by being an actual novel.
But like all anthologies there were a couple that absolutely clapped my ass:
Beauty Sleep was a sapphic Sleeping Beauty retelling and it was fucking DOPE. It had so many nods to the fairytale and how they tied in was so cool. I can't express how cool it was like Maleficent had a dragon mech and the fairies were drones. It was giving Cinder but also giving me everything and I'll be up at night crying because this wasn't a full story.
H O M E is about a girl and an intersex alien that get stuck in a frozen time loop at a planetary airport. This one really touched my cold dead heart because over the years of them in the time loop together, they grow old together (while not aging at all). The romance was just so well done and I'm emotional just thinking about them.
Present: Tense in this all the cishet people disappear (Thanos snapped fr). It was weird but also fun.
Reshadow I'm still not even sure I liked this one because it ended up depressing me but basically a boy is in an escape room / time loop situation. It was very trippy and very Black Mirror.
Simply cannot count how many were like this and then there were so many that were so depressing. Also multiple time loops and people disappearing, did they not talk to each other about what they were wearing that day or??
It wasn't really queer teens falling in love, it was queer teens in shitty sci-fi situations but also they gay. I will give credit that it was very diverse and that was the best part. But saying "oh yeah queer teens can also be dying from a dust cloud in the future while the rich leave on a spaceship" is not the book I was looking for. I do understand now the assignment was future and not fun space stories lol rip.
Also every story was trying too much?? It was like it was the beginning of a full novel instead of a short story and I feel like... all of these could have been saved by being an actual novel.
But like all anthologies there were a couple that absolutely clapped my ass:
Beauty Sleep was a sapphic Sleeping Beauty retelling and it was fucking DOPE. It had so many nods to the fairytale and how they tied in was so cool. I can't express how cool it was like Maleficent had a dragon mech and the fairies were drones. It was giving Cinder but also giving me everything and I'll be up at night crying because this wasn't a full story.
H O M E is about a girl and an intersex alien that get stuck in a frozen time loop at a planetary airport. This one really touched my cold dead heart because over the years of them in the time loop together, they grow old together (while not aging at all). The romance was just so well done and I'm emotional just thinking about them.
Present: Tense in this all the cishet people disappear (Thanos snapped fr). It was weird but also fun.
Reshadow I'm still not even sure I liked this one because it ended up depressing me but basically a boy is in an escape room / time loop situation. It was very trippy and very Black Mirror.
June 2, 2022
It's difficult to rate anthologies because the stories tend to differ largely in quality, but this was a really strong collection. Young, queer-centered voices with a sci fi theme, all set in the future.
There was a huge amount of representation of identities and experiences across these 17 stories. I made a (probably incomplete) list here:
Rep:
Achillean MCs
Sapphic MCs
Trans MCs
Nonbinary MCs
Main characters identifying as: gay, lesbian, bi, aromantic
Supporting characters identifying as: pan, demi
Indigenous MC
Black MCs
Indian MCs
Iranian MC
Colombian MC
I wish there was disability representation.
We get a range of plots – some were deeply emotional, some were witty & fun, and some were so sweet & hopeful. The writing quality is overall very high.
Some stories were pretty bleak (centered around climate struggle and apocalypses // and futures in which transphobia and homophobia feel just as extreme as our current reality). There is certainly joy as well, but please don't expect an entire collection of queer triumph.
My personal favorites were: Doublers, The Rift, Translating for the Machine, Present: Tense, Nick and Bodhi, Concerto, and H O M E.
CW: queerphobia, outing, misgendering, death, domestic abuse, murder, racism, bullying, climate disaster, medical content, classism, gun violence, dysphoria, military themes, grief, stalking, religious bigotry, mental illness, cancer
There was a huge amount of representation of identities and experiences across these 17 stories. I made a (probably incomplete) list here:
Rep:
Achillean MCs
Sapphic MCs
Trans MCs
Nonbinary MCs
Main characters identifying as: gay, lesbian, bi, aromantic
Supporting characters identifying as: pan, demi
Indigenous MC
Black MCs
Indian MCs
Iranian MC
Colombian MC
I wish there was disability representation.
We get a range of plots – some were deeply emotional, some were witty & fun, and some were so sweet & hopeful. The writing quality is overall very high.
Some stories were pretty bleak (centered around climate struggle and apocalypses // and futures in which transphobia and homophobia feel just as extreme as our current reality). There is certainly joy as well, but please don't expect an entire collection of queer triumph.
My personal favorites were: Doublers, The Rift, Translating for the Machine, Present: Tense, Nick and Bodhi, Concerto, and H O M E.
CW: queerphobia, outing, misgendering, death, domestic abuse, murder, racism, bullying, climate disaster, medical content, classism, gun violence, dysphoria, military themes, grief, stalking, religious bigotry, mental illness, cancer
February 14, 2024
I dont like short stories but there were a couple i could appreciate and enjoyed in this.
August 10, 2022
--Mild Spoilers--
As an avid reader of Sci-fi, I was so excited for Out There. There is a special position that only this genre can present, because not only can it be a fun romp through space, but it actively reimagines our world and our society. It brings into question what would happen if something was invented, if we keep going with our current ways unshifted, or most excitingly if the rules don’t exist at all. There is so much you can do within this genre, and, of course, a whole universe of thinking left to explore.
As I was reading this anthology I could see the stories harshly divide into fantastic and good. It was obvious that a lot of the authors didn’t tend to write Sci-fi, but some compensated better than others. I feel like because I read so much Sci-fi I was at a disadvantage because I wanted the stories to bend my mind, or at least have very good queer rep. The queer rep in particular for a while was ok. It was usually only sexuality. But it got a lot better farther on. High expectations, great delivery.
The first story that set my mind aflame was Aesthetically Hungry by Mato J. Steger. It was set in a futuristic city, opening to the perspective of a trans man looking for SOPHISTICATE-X where he could get gender-affirming body modifications. And then he runs into Ace, a person he met at a powwow. I loved how the story had queer indigenous rep which is excruciatingly hard to find. The most pivotal element for me was body/genital makeup not equating to your validity as a trans person. Steger needs to get a book contract because I am so in love right now.
For a while, after Steger’s story, there were a lot of misses for me. Near the end, it was overwhelming how many I adored. I’ll write the names of the ones I didn’t have space for at the end.
Nick and Bodhi by Naomi Kanakia was the thunder before the lightning. I knew it was getting better when I read this. We are set in a world where going to school means entertaining Nick. Nick is an alien who terrorizes the teachers and kids to have their own opinions, he also tends to kill people when he’s annoyed. A lot of the school’s original occupants no longer exist naturally and were brought in as replacements from another dimension. Honestly, I thought this story was funny, it toyed with gender in ways I had previously been waiting for.
The next story had less of a chaotic evil vibe and was more relaxed. Crash Landing by Mason Deaver begins when Sarah is left home for a couple of days while her parents go to their cabin. It’s less than a day later when a spacecraft crashes into her yard and a human appearing alien emerges. It was simple but it also was an interesting way of viewing aliens that I hadn’t already thoroughly seen. It focused on having a being in your life and enjoying the time you have with them rather than procrastinating about the future you might not.
Beauty Sleep was the dystopian steampunk future I was not expecting but devoured. Alechia Dow creates a riff on sleeping beauty that thoroughly blinds all others. The ties between fantasy and space travel along with the plot of the original fairy tale coming in were pristine. I need to read all of this author’s books. Immediately.
All of these lucid stories and gifted writers did not prepare me for the sheer excellence of Fractal Eyes. In a world where humans are rapidly expanding, there is an unexpected visitor from the depths of the galaxy. Chiamaka “Chi” Oloye is the star intern of Dr. Klein’s and through their eyes we see the devastating beauty and mystery of the being they research. Ugochi M. Agoawike spins a tale showing our fear of the unknown contoured by our need to control it. I can’t describe how entranced it made me feel, how the format changing enriched it. How I felt like all of the unknowable was known by this storyteller and how I was barely peeling back the cusp of what it all meant. In that way, it had a humanity that is hard to replicate. It was the type of story that will not be forgotten. I will sing this author's praises many times over.
Saundra Mitchell reminisces in the acknowledgments that a couple of years ago they didn’t think it was possible to write one of these anthologies let alone all three. Past, present, and future I can’t think of a better way to raise a fist to the world. We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!
Other showstoppers were: The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kalynn Bayron, Reshadow by Adam Sass, Concerto by Abdi Nazemian, H O M E by K. Ancrum, and Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World by Leah Johnson.
--Thank You to the Publisher for Providing This ARC--
As an avid reader of Sci-fi, I was so excited for Out There. There is a special position that only this genre can present, because not only can it be a fun romp through space, but it actively reimagines our world and our society. It brings into question what would happen if something was invented, if we keep going with our current ways unshifted, or most excitingly if the rules don’t exist at all. There is so much you can do within this genre, and, of course, a whole universe of thinking left to explore.
As I was reading this anthology I could see the stories harshly divide into fantastic and good. It was obvious that a lot of the authors didn’t tend to write Sci-fi, but some compensated better than others. I feel like because I read so much Sci-fi I was at a disadvantage because I wanted the stories to bend my mind, or at least have very good queer rep. The queer rep in particular for a while was ok. It was usually only sexuality. But it got a lot better farther on. High expectations, great delivery.
The first story that set my mind aflame was Aesthetically Hungry by Mato J. Steger. It was set in a futuristic city, opening to the perspective of a trans man looking for SOPHISTICATE-X where he could get gender-affirming body modifications. And then he runs into Ace, a person he met at a powwow. I loved how the story had queer indigenous rep which is excruciatingly hard to find. The most pivotal element for me was body/genital makeup not equating to your validity as a trans person. Steger needs to get a book contract because I am so in love right now.
For a while, after Steger’s story, there were a lot of misses for me. Near the end, it was overwhelming how many I adored. I’ll write the names of the ones I didn’t have space for at the end.
Nick and Bodhi by Naomi Kanakia was the thunder before the lightning. I knew it was getting better when I read this. We are set in a world where going to school means entertaining Nick. Nick is an alien who terrorizes the teachers and kids to have their own opinions, he also tends to kill people when he’s annoyed. A lot of the school’s original occupants no longer exist naturally and were brought in as replacements from another dimension. Honestly, I thought this story was funny, it toyed with gender in ways I had previously been waiting for.
The next story had less of a chaotic evil vibe and was more relaxed. Crash Landing by Mason Deaver begins when Sarah is left home for a couple of days while her parents go to their cabin. It’s less than a day later when a spacecraft crashes into her yard and a human appearing alien emerges. It was simple but it also was an interesting way of viewing aliens that I hadn’t already thoroughly seen. It focused on having a being in your life and enjoying the time you have with them rather than procrastinating about the future you might not.
Beauty Sleep was the dystopian steampunk future I was not expecting but devoured. Alechia Dow creates a riff on sleeping beauty that thoroughly blinds all others. The ties between fantasy and space travel along with the plot of the original fairy tale coming in were pristine. I need to read all of this author’s books. Immediately.
All of these lucid stories and gifted writers did not prepare me for the sheer excellence of Fractal Eyes. In a world where humans are rapidly expanding, there is an unexpected visitor from the depths of the galaxy. Chiamaka “Chi” Oloye is the star intern of Dr. Klein’s and through their eyes we see the devastating beauty and mystery of the being they research. Ugochi M. Agoawike spins a tale showing our fear of the unknown contoured by our need to control it. I can’t describe how entranced it made me feel, how the format changing enriched it. How I felt like all of the unknowable was known by this storyteller and how I was barely peeling back the cusp of what it all meant. In that way, it had a humanity that is hard to replicate. It was the type of story that will not be forgotten. I will sing this author's praises many times over.
Saundra Mitchell reminisces in the acknowledgments that a couple of years ago they didn’t think it was possible to write one of these anthologies let alone all three. Past, present, and future I can’t think of a better way to raise a fist to the world. We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!
Other showstoppers were: The Department of Homegoing Affairs by Kalynn Bayron, Reshadow by Adam Sass, Concerto by Abdi Nazemian, H O M E by K. Ancrum, and Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World by Leah Johnson.
--Thank You to the Publisher for Providing This ARC--
June 27, 2022
3.5⭐
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder edited by Saundra Mitchell features characters diverse in gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and even species (it is speculative fiction, after all), and tackles topics like racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and classism. But while there are some real gems in this collection, the quality of the writing is a mixed bag.
The best story in the anthology is “H O M E” by K. Ancrum (The Wicker King). Two teens — a human girl and an intersex alien (he/him) — are trapped in a time loop on what is essentially an interplanetary airport, but with relativistic “time crunches” rather than planes.
As Mira and Tovah grow old together — while remaining physically identical to the day the loop started and surrounded by frozen passengers, including their parents — the story examines questions of connection, perception, humanity, and existence itself. Ancrum deftly uses sci-fi concepts to reveal very human truths, and her wistful prose and the captivating romance will leave readers’ hearts aching.
Read my full review on Fangirlish: https://fangirlish.com/2022/06/27/out...
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder edited by Saundra Mitchell features characters diverse in gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and even species (it is speculative fiction, after all), and tackles topics like racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and classism. But while there are some real gems in this collection, the quality of the writing is a mixed bag.
The best story in the anthology is “H O M E” by K. Ancrum (The Wicker King). Two teens — a human girl and an intersex alien (he/him) — are trapped in a time loop on what is essentially an interplanetary airport, but with relativistic “time crunches” rather than planes.
As Mira and Tovah grow old together — while remaining physically identical to the day the loop started and surrounded by frozen passengers, including their parents — the story examines questions of connection, perception, humanity, and existence itself. Ancrum deftly uses sci-fi concepts to reveal very human truths, and her wistful prose and the captivating romance will leave readers’ hearts aching.
Read my full review on Fangirlish: https://fangirlish.com/2022/06/27/out...
July 16, 2022
This is a cool little collection of queer sci-fi stories — something that I would definitely recommend. Claire Kann’s was obviously my favorite, but K. Ancrum’s “Home” definitely also places. It’s no Dahlia Adler anthology, but it is very good — I think it’s really important to read stories of queer people having a future. Four stars.
February 23, 2022
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: mentioned bullying & mentioned fatal car accident (in "The Rift"), mentioned misgendering & disowning, invasion of privacy, offpage parental abuse (in "Present: Tense), transphobia & general harassment (in "Nick and Bodhi"), homophobic parents (in "Concerto" & "Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World"), death by fire (in HOME), mentioned bullying and harassment ( in "Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World")
3.5
Anthologies are hit or miss a lot of the time, because the stories are never going to be equal in quality. But the great thing about this on is that there's such a depth of variety that it makes it hard to compare them to each other, so they can all more or less stand on their own.
I did think a lot of these were written well in the way of "I can understand why this is a short story/why we're in this particular moment", though there were a few that fell flat in that regard as well.
My favorite stories in this anthology were "HOME" and "The Rift". I'm a huge sucker for chosen one stories with a fracture or come at from a new angle, so I absolutely loved Claire Kann's concept of this mass "chosen one" abduction, and the way prejudice keeps the hero from being celebrated- which definitely rang true to me. I loved the general idea and I loved the twist, I would have read an entire book about this.
But HOME hit me directly in the heart. I thought this was the cutest thing I've read in a while, with the perfect amount of bittersweetness. Actually, it reminded me of my favorite Futurama episode- one of the few moments in cartoon history that's come close to making me cry. But it also felt new, and carefully done, and I was immediately taken with it.
There are some other cool ideas in this, some that needed more space to expand into something, and some sweet stories that, while maybe feeling a bit one note, were still solidly enjoyable stories. I think lovers of speculative fiction and queer lives will find something perfect for them in at least one of these stories.
TW: mentioned bullying & mentioned fatal car accident (in "The Rift"), mentioned misgendering & disowning, invasion of privacy, offpage parental abuse (in "Present: Tense), transphobia & general harassment (in "Nick and Bodhi"), homophobic parents (in "Concerto" & "Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World"), death by fire (in HOME), mentioned bullying and harassment ( in "Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World")
3.5
Anthologies are hit or miss a lot of the time, because the stories are never going to be equal in quality. But the great thing about this on is that there's such a depth of variety that it makes it hard to compare them to each other, so they can all more or less stand on their own.
I did think a lot of these were written well in the way of "I can understand why this is a short story/why we're in this particular moment", though there were a few that fell flat in that regard as well.
My favorite stories in this anthology were "HOME" and "The Rift". I'm a huge sucker for chosen one stories with a fracture or come at from a new angle, so I absolutely loved Claire Kann's concept of this mass "chosen one" abduction, and the way prejudice keeps the hero from being celebrated- which definitely rang true to me. I loved the general idea and I loved the twist, I would have read an entire book about this.
But HOME hit me directly in the heart. I thought this was the cutest thing I've read in a while, with the perfect amount of bittersweetness. Actually, it reminded me of my favorite Futurama episode- one of the few moments in cartoon history that's come close to making me cry. But it also felt new, and carefully done, and I was immediately taken with it.
There are some other cool ideas in this, some that needed more space to expand into something, and some sweet stories that, while maybe feeling a bit one note, were still solidly enjoyable stories. I think lovers of speculative fiction and queer lives will find something perfect for them in at least one of these stories.
July 3, 2022
Okay, my first long review in a while! As is my preferred way of reviewing anthologies, I'll list my thoughts about each story, as well as feelings about the anthology as a whole. This time around I'll also attempt to list the LGBTQ+ representation found in each story, and any other applicable representation, primarily as it applies to the main character and love interest. I'm listing what I picked up on while reading, so it could be inaccurate or there could have been something I might have missed in some cases. I tried.
Just a heads up for how I personally interpret the star ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = loved it
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = enjoyed
⭐⭐⭐ = it was okay
⭐⭐ = not a fan
⭐ = not at all for me
Doublers, by Alex London
Rep: Gay MC and LI
A bit overly intricate with the sci-fi technology and setting for a story of its length, but by the end I could sort of get where all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. It did leave me scratching my head over a few things, but overall I enjoyed the story, which was very character-driven, so I could let some of the technicalities of the external plot go. Still, wish it had been a little clearer on a few things. Maybe a re-read is in order to really “get” every detail. 4 stars
Aesthetically Hungry, by Mato J. Steger
Rep: Native-American gay trans MC, Native-American gay LI
I knew within the first few opening lines that the writing style was something I wasn't going to love, and over the course of the story, it didn't get any more appealing. There were some interesting setting details and technology, though the main technology in the story seemed much more like magic than well-thought-out, plausible technology that I prefer in science-fiction stories. Overall the story didn't pull me in. Not a fan of stories about racing, and this one had quite a bit of that. There just wasn't a whole lot here that I personally enjoyed. 2 stars
The Rift, by Claire Kann
Rep: Black queer MC, Black LI? (I put a question mark there because, while the MC is attracted to her, I didn't pick up on any mutual feelings)
Entertaining story with a morally grey MC. This story did feel a little too big for the confines of a short story, which resulted in some things being info-dumped and others kind of hand-waved away. Kind of a story I'd firmly put in the “it was okay” category. 3 stars
Renaissance, by Emma K. Ohland
Rep: Sapphic and ace MC, Sapphic LI
Started out nicely, but to me the resolution was pretty random and not very satisfying. It felt more like an end to a chapter of a book and there would be more to come, rather than a complete short story. But it had some nice moments and a fairly cute romance (other than some of the stuff near the ending, because WTF, Eleni?). Overall fairly enjoyable. 3 stars
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete, by ZR Ellor
Rep: Gay trans MC and LI
A standout story for sure. It felt like it went a little deeper than some of the others in terms of exploring the characters and themes. Just overall an engaging and impactful story. Possibly my favorite story in the collection. 4 stars
Translating for the Machine, by Nita Tyndall
Rep: Non-binary MC, queer LI
Had some really interesting ideas and technology, but the ending soured the great buildup. I felt like the girlfriend was just there and didn't feel like the relationship meant that much to the MC (despite being told otherwise)...but maybe it's the ending that colors how I'm looking back on that aspect. I don't know, but I was disappointed. 2.5 stars
Reshadow, by Adam Sass
Rep: Gay MC and LI
Fun, twisty story that's set in a time-loop/escape room...place, which was interesting. The MC started out fairly annoying but I grew to like him pretty well over the course of the story. Enjoyable overall. 3.5 star
The Department of Homgoing Affairs, by Kalynn Bayron
Rep: Sapphic Indigenous (?) MC, Black Sapphic LI
This one was fairly boring to me. A lot of infodumps and backstory that really slowed the pace. Other than that, no real strong feelings. 3 stars
The Undeniable Price of Everything, by Z Brewer
Rep: Non-binary aromantic MC
Strange premise underlying the story, but overall an interesting and compelling read. 3.5 stars
Present: Tense, by Jim McCarthy
Rep: Gay MC with anxiety. All the other characters are in the LGBTQ+ community too
The plot was a bit bizarre, though enjoyable. I don't have a whole lot to say other than that I liked it. 3.5 stars
Nick and Bodhi, by Naomi Kanakia
Rep: Trans and Indian MC, multiple other characters who are BIPOC and LGBTQ+ as well
This one was very...hmm. I don't care for silly, absurd stories, so this one really wasn't a good fit for me. 2 stars
Crash Landing, by Mason Deaver
Rep: Trans lesbian MC, queer side characters
Somewhat entertaining, but too much crush drama for my taste. Some questionable lines also made me squint a few times at the page. 2.5 stars
Beauty Sleep, by Alechia Dow
Rep: Black Sapphic MC and LI, Sapphic side character
Since I liked this author's novel, The Sound of Stars, I was excited to see that she had a story in this collection. This story, though, just didn't work for me at all. I'm already picky about fairy-tale retellings, and and then when it's combined with deus ex machina (literally?), technology that can do whatever when needed, and a very saccharine love story where the characters spoke in very stilted ways, it just wasn't a vibe I was into. Did like that this Sleeping Beauty story worked consent into the kiss near the end, at least. 2 stars
Concerto, by Abdi Nazemmian
Rep: Gay Iranian-American MC, gay Colombian-American LI
A step up from the last few stories. This one had some impactful moments, a lovely romance, and interesting technology. Some things were a little over the top, such as the contrivances to get our characters back together, but overall I enjoyed this story. 4 stars
H O M E, by K. Ancrum
Rep: Queer MC, Intersex LI
Interesting time loop story, though some things around the romance threw up quite a few red flags. I didn't care for the MC at all, though Mira, the love interest, was likeable. I also have no idea how they got out of the time loop. They talked about a solar flare and I guess that was supposed to mean something? But, of course, like so many of the stories in this anthology, it is very much romance first and sci-fi second, so I guess I shouldn't expect a lot in terms of the characters really exploring those ideas. 3 stars
Fractal Eyes, by Ugochi M. Agoawike
Rep: Black Non-binary MC, queer LI
Okay, if I thought the last story's romantic plot was questionable, well this one blows it out of the water and seemed more like a dangerous alien manipulating a human, rather than anything actually romantic, but the ending made it seem like it was supposed to be read as a romance, so... 2.5 stars
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World, by Leah Johnson
Rep: Lesbian MC and LI
I liked the exploration of the relationship here, and the premise of—seemingly—only these two girls being the last ones on earth had a lot of suspense built into the plot. Overall, I liked this story pretty well, though the LI was a little annoying to me. 3.5 stars
---
I think I like this anthology a little less than the previous two in the series, even though I'm also giving it the same star rating. Maybe the fact that my patience with YA in general is much less than it was when I read the others, or the fact that so many were written similarly (first-person present tense), I'm not sure.
3 stars for the anthology as a whole.
Just a heads up for how I personally interpret the star ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = loved it
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = enjoyed
⭐⭐⭐ = it was okay
⭐⭐ = not a fan
⭐ = not at all for me
Doublers, by Alex London
Rep: Gay MC and LI
A bit overly intricate with the sci-fi technology and setting for a story of its length, but by the end I could sort of get where all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. It did leave me scratching my head over a few things, but overall I enjoyed the story, which was very character-driven, so I could let some of the technicalities of the external plot go. Still, wish it had been a little clearer on a few things. Maybe a re-read is in order to really “get” every detail. 4 stars
Aesthetically Hungry, by Mato J. Steger
Rep: Native-American gay trans MC, Native-American gay LI
I knew within the first few opening lines that the writing style was something I wasn't going to love, and over the course of the story, it didn't get any more appealing. There were some interesting setting details and technology, though the main technology in the story seemed much more like magic than well-thought-out, plausible technology that I prefer in science-fiction stories. Overall the story didn't pull me in. Not a fan of stories about racing, and this one had quite a bit of that. There just wasn't a whole lot here that I personally enjoyed. 2 stars
The Rift, by Claire Kann
Rep: Black queer MC, Black LI? (I put a question mark there because, while the MC is attracted to her, I didn't pick up on any mutual feelings)
Entertaining story with a morally grey MC. This story did feel a little too big for the confines of a short story, which resulted in some things being info-dumped and others kind of hand-waved away. Kind of a story I'd firmly put in the “it was okay” category. 3 stars
Renaissance, by Emma K. Ohland
Rep: Sapphic and ace MC, Sapphic LI
Started out nicely, but to me the resolution was pretty random and not very satisfying. It felt more like an end to a chapter of a book and there would be more to come, rather than a complete short story. But it had some nice moments and a fairly cute romance (other than some of the stuff near the ending, because WTF, Eleni?). Overall fairly enjoyable. 3 stars
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete, by ZR Ellor
Rep: Gay trans MC and LI
A standout story for sure. It felt like it went a little deeper than some of the others in terms of exploring the characters and themes. Just overall an engaging and impactful story. Possibly my favorite story in the collection. 4 stars
Translating for the Machine, by Nita Tyndall
Rep: Non-binary MC, queer LI
Had some really interesting ideas and technology, but the ending soured the great buildup. I felt like the girlfriend was just there and didn't feel like the relationship meant that much to the MC (despite being told otherwise)...but maybe it's the ending that colors how I'm looking back on that aspect. I don't know, but I was disappointed. 2.5 stars
Reshadow, by Adam Sass
Rep: Gay MC and LI
Fun, twisty story that's set in a time-loop/escape room...place, which was interesting. The MC started out fairly annoying but I grew to like him pretty well over the course of the story. Enjoyable overall. 3.5 star
The Department of Homgoing Affairs, by Kalynn Bayron
Rep: Sapphic Indigenous (?) MC, Black Sapphic LI
This one was fairly boring to me. A lot of infodumps and backstory that really slowed the pace. Other than that, no real strong feelings. 3 stars
The Undeniable Price of Everything, by Z Brewer
Rep: Non-binary aromantic MC
Strange premise underlying the story, but overall an interesting and compelling read. 3.5 stars
Present: Tense, by Jim McCarthy
Rep: Gay MC with anxiety. All the other characters are in the LGBTQ+ community too
The plot was a bit bizarre, though enjoyable. I don't have a whole lot to say other than that I liked it. 3.5 stars
Nick and Bodhi, by Naomi Kanakia
Rep: Trans and Indian MC, multiple other characters who are BIPOC and LGBTQ+ as well
This one was very...hmm. I don't care for silly, absurd stories, so this one really wasn't a good fit for me. 2 stars
Crash Landing, by Mason Deaver
Rep: Trans lesbian MC, queer side characters
Somewhat entertaining, but too much crush drama for my taste. Some questionable lines also made me squint a few times at the page. 2.5 stars
Beauty Sleep, by Alechia Dow
Rep: Black Sapphic MC and LI, Sapphic side character
Since I liked this author's novel, The Sound of Stars, I was excited to see that she had a story in this collection. This story, though, just didn't work for me at all. I'm already picky about fairy-tale retellings, and and then when it's combined with deus ex machina (literally?), technology that can do whatever when needed, and a very saccharine love story where the characters spoke in very stilted ways, it just wasn't a vibe I was into. Did like that this Sleeping Beauty story worked consent into the kiss near the end, at least. 2 stars
Concerto, by Abdi Nazemmian
Rep: Gay Iranian-American MC, gay Colombian-American LI
A step up from the last few stories. This one had some impactful moments, a lovely romance, and interesting technology. Some things were a little over the top, such as the contrivances to get our characters back together, but overall I enjoyed this story. 4 stars
H O M E, by K. Ancrum
Rep: Queer MC, Intersex LI
Interesting time loop story, though some things around the romance threw up quite a few red flags. I didn't care for the MC at all, though Mira, the love interest, was likeable. I also have no idea how they got out of the time loop. They talked about a solar flare and I guess that was supposed to mean something? But, of course, like so many of the stories in this anthology, it is very much romance first and sci-fi second, so I guess I shouldn't expect a lot in terms of the characters really exploring those ideas. 3 stars
Fractal Eyes, by Ugochi M. Agoawike
Rep: Black Non-binary MC, queer LI
Okay, if I thought the last story's romantic plot was questionable, well this one blows it out of the water and seemed more like a dangerous alien manipulating a human, rather than anything actually romantic, but the ending made it seem like it was supposed to be read as a romance, so... 2.5 stars
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World, by Leah Johnson
Rep: Lesbian MC and LI
I liked the exploration of the relationship here, and the premise of—seemingly—only these two girls being the last ones on earth had a lot of suspense built into the plot. Overall, I liked this story pretty well, though the LI was a little annoying to me. 3.5 stars
---
I think I like this anthology a little less than the previous two in the series, even though I'm also giving it the same star rating. Maybe the fact that my patience with YA in general is much less than it was when I read the others, or the fact that so many were written similarly (first-person present tense), I'm not sure.
3 stars for the anthology as a whole.
October 31, 2025
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder is a science fiction young adult short story anthology exploring the mystical future and the endless what-ifs from an array of queer perspectives. This is a beautiful collection of creative premises and lovely prose that normalizes and celebrates a variety of queer identities. Many of the pieces presented harrowing critiques of politics and current injustices while others explored the beauty and necessity of love and acceptance during trying times, making for a great blend of tones. Some of the stories were too on-the-nose with their metaphors to the real world, and that made it difficult to immerse myself in those worlds. Overall, though, this was a great collection of queer teens tackling prejudice and saving the world, or even just each other. This book is the type of literature I wish I'd had growing up, and I'm so happy to see such a beautiful collection of genre fiction normalizing the beauty in identity.
May 6, 2023
Some stories are really amazing, some I didn't really get. But it is queer through and through.
January 28, 2024
I would do nearly anything to read some of these stories as full novels!
March 15, 2025
2.5⭐️
August 11, 2022
Anthologies are always a bit hit-or-miss for me given the nature of the beast, but I’ve had great luck with them this year. Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder has officially become one of my all-time favourite anthologies. Maybe this isn’t surprising since ‘queer in space’ is a forever favourite theme of mine, but regardless, I stand by the quality of the works in this collection. Brimming with imaginative worlds and representation, the authors featured in Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder offer a dizzying, captivating array of possibilities in the stories they offer.
I have favourites, of course:
Claire Kann’s The Rift, where a girl who saved the world brokers back-alley deals and collects seedy favours for a plan of her own.
Nita Tyndall’s Translating for the Machine, where a young person who falls outside the binary is the only one who can understand an enigmatic, ominous, city-controlling AI.
Adam Sass’ Reshadow, a horror-infused tale of an escape room with a perilous, heart-racing twist
K. Ancrum’s H O M E, a story about two teens living out their days stuck in a time loop on a space station
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike, where a research assistant studies an entity far more complex and dangerous than anyone realizes.
Overall, highly recommended for fans of science fiction/sci-fantasy who want a selection of fantastic, diverse stories from across a galaxy of identities. I’ll definitely be seeking out the previous two entries in this anthology series as well!
Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
I have favourites, of course:
Claire Kann’s The Rift, where a girl who saved the world brokers back-alley deals and collects seedy favours for a plan of her own.
Nita Tyndall’s Translating for the Machine, where a young person who falls outside the binary is the only one who can understand an enigmatic, ominous, city-controlling AI.
Adam Sass’ Reshadow, a horror-infused tale of an escape room with a perilous, heart-racing twist
K. Ancrum’s H O M E, a story about two teens living out their days stuck in a time loop on a space station
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike, where a research assistant studies an entity far more complex and dangerous than anyone realizes.
Overall, highly recommended for fans of science fiction/sci-fantasy who want a selection of fantastic, diverse stories from across a galaxy of identities. I’ll definitely be seeking out the previous two entries in this anthology series as well!
Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Want to read
May 20, 2022authors i recognize:
- z.r. ellor (wrote a couple books i'm looking forward to reading [may the best man win + acting the part])
- k. ancrum (wrote the weight of the stars, which i ranted about for a full hour; i think the issue was mostly the longform setting so it'd be nice to read a short story from her)
- claire kann (read some good wattpad work from her + excited to read let's talk about love & if it makes you happy!)
- z.r. ellor (wrote a couple books i'm looking forward to reading [may the best man win + acting the part])
- k. ancrum (wrote the weight of the stars, which i ranted about for a full hour; i think the issue was mostly the longform setting so it'd be nice to read a short story from her)
- claire kann (read some good wattpad work from her + excited to read let's talk about love & if it makes you happy!)
June 18, 2023
3/5
the third and final book in this anthology series. i liked how in this book it focused a lot on sci-fi and futuristic concepts. anyways i’m glad i read this series for pride month.
doublers - 4/5
a story about two gay mcs in love in a sci-fi world where you can transfer your conscious to a synthetic body on mars but your original self (aka doubler) stays on earth. it took me while to get what was happening but this one was entertaining and well written.
aesthetically hungry - 3.5/5
a story about a gay trans mc getting physical augments to have the body he wanted for himself but in the end finds someone who loves him for who he is regardless. this one way sweet, no other comments.
the rift - 3.5/5
a story about how there are 34 children who are taken away to another dimension where they are raised with special abilities; three of them are returned and one of them is the mc who is black and sapphic. this was an interesting premise but it felt like there was a lot of info to keep up with.
renaissance - 3.5/5
a story about two girls who meet—one rich one poor—during an environmental apocalypse where the rich get to board a ship and leave. this story was sweet and i loved the small constellations theme (plus sapphic and ace rep haha lol)
like sunshine, like concrete - 3/5
a story about how the us government gives pre-t trans men this drug that transforms them and their bodies into becoming super soldiers, and the mc fights off the villain love interest. again the premise was cool but personally i got so confused like what is the government doing now?
translating for the machine - 3/5
a story about an all-knowing machine that can tell what happens next, and a nonbinary mc is a translator for the machine and gets access to info that no one should have. i’m not sure why but something about the way it was written just didn’t do it for me, sorry.
reshadow - 3/5
a story about two gay mcs taking on an escape room, except there’s a twist at the end. not gonna lie the main characters started out a bit annoying but they grew on me throughout the story. overall this one was just alright.
the department of homegoing affairs - 3/5
a story about a girl who can see beyond the black veil and is working to help her grandmother pass over. not gonna lie i was kinda confused with this plot and it felt a lot more like info-dumping.
the undeniable price of everything - 3/5
a story about a nonbinary aro mc who can’t leave the building they live in because they’re trapped in a ‘haze’ but then a stranger comes along and gives them ‘everything.’ uhh this one was interesting but i feel like i missed a memo here or something? love the aro rep tho i guess lol
present: tense - 3/5
a story about,, i’m gonna be so honest i’m not sure what the plot was exactly but i know there were some themes of religious persecution and unsupportive parents here?? i don’t have much to say but this one felt so bizarre.
nick and bodhi - 2.5/5
a story about a trans and indian mc who beats this white dudebro at his own game as he tries to discover the secrets of the multiverse. personally this one wasn’t for me i was so confused um
crash landing - 3.5/5
a story about a trans girl who is crushing on her best friend so she gets advice from this alien who crash lands in her backyard. this one was silly but cute el oh el.
beauty sleep - 3/5
a story about sleeping beauty but make it black and sapphic with futuristic elements. this one was a cool concept and reminded me of the lunar chronicles but other than that it was just alright.
concerto - 4/5
a story about a gay iranian mc and a gay colombian mc who are trying to hold onto their connection as humans are forced to time travel to escape nuclear disaster. this one was entertaining to read and i thought their bond was pretty sweet.
h o m e - 2.5/5
a story about two teenagers who are stuck in a time loop at a moon station. this one was okay but i did not really care for the romance plot and wished the characters were more developed. also literally how did they get out of the time loop um what?
fractal eyes - 2.5/5
a story about an intern observing their boss interviewing an alien that was captured by the government. i wish i could tell you what happened but i was genuinely so confused.
nobody cares who we kiss at the end of the world - 4/5
a story about two teens who are yearning for each other as they are the only ones left in their town since everyone else disappeared. i don’t know what it is about the end-of-the-world anxiety over losing what they have but this one hit. what a great way to end off the anthology.
the third and final book in this anthology series. i liked how in this book it focused a lot on sci-fi and futuristic concepts. anyways i’m glad i read this series for pride month.
doublers - 4/5
a story about two gay mcs in love in a sci-fi world where you can transfer your conscious to a synthetic body on mars but your original self (aka doubler) stays on earth. it took me while to get what was happening but this one was entertaining and well written.
aesthetically hungry - 3.5/5
a story about a gay trans mc getting physical augments to have the body he wanted for himself but in the end finds someone who loves him for who he is regardless. this one way sweet, no other comments.
the rift - 3.5/5
a story about how there are 34 children who are taken away to another dimension where they are raised with special abilities; three of them are returned and one of them is the mc who is black and sapphic. this was an interesting premise but it felt like there was a lot of info to keep up with.
renaissance - 3.5/5
a story about two girls who meet—one rich one poor—during an environmental apocalypse where the rich get to board a ship and leave. this story was sweet and i loved the small constellations theme (plus sapphic and ace rep haha lol)
like sunshine, like concrete - 3/5
a story about how the us government gives pre-t trans men this drug that transforms them and their bodies into becoming super soldiers, and the mc fights off the villain love interest. again the premise was cool but personally i got so confused like what is the government doing now?
translating for the machine - 3/5
a story about an all-knowing machine that can tell what happens next, and a nonbinary mc is a translator for the machine and gets access to info that no one should have. i’m not sure why but something about the way it was written just didn’t do it for me, sorry.
reshadow - 3/5
a story about two gay mcs taking on an escape room, except there’s a twist at the end. not gonna lie the main characters started out a bit annoying but they grew on me throughout the story. overall this one was just alright.
the department of homegoing affairs - 3/5
a story about a girl who can see beyond the black veil and is working to help her grandmother pass over. not gonna lie i was kinda confused with this plot and it felt a lot more like info-dumping.
the undeniable price of everything - 3/5
a story about a nonbinary aro mc who can’t leave the building they live in because they’re trapped in a ‘haze’ but then a stranger comes along and gives them ‘everything.’ uhh this one was interesting but i feel like i missed a memo here or something? love the aro rep tho i guess lol
present: tense - 3/5
a story about,, i’m gonna be so honest i’m not sure what the plot was exactly but i know there were some themes of religious persecution and unsupportive parents here?? i don’t have much to say but this one felt so bizarre.
nick and bodhi - 2.5/5
a story about a trans and indian mc who beats this white dudebro at his own game as he tries to discover the secrets of the multiverse. personally this one wasn’t for me i was so confused um
crash landing - 3.5/5
a story about a trans girl who is crushing on her best friend so she gets advice from this alien who crash lands in her backyard. this one was silly but cute el oh el.
beauty sleep - 3/5
a story about sleeping beauty but make it black and sapphic with futuristic elements. this one was a cool concept and reminded me of the lunar chronicles but other than that it was just alright.
concerto - 4/5
a story about a gay iranian mc and a gay colombian mc who are trying to hold onto their connection as humans are forced to time travel to escape nuclear disaster. this one was entertaining to read and i thought their bond was pretty sweet.
h o m e - 2.5/5
a story about two teenagers who are stuck in a time loop at a moon station. this one was okay but i did not really care for the romance plot and wished the characters were more developed. also literally how did they get out of the time loop um what?
fractal eyes - 2.5/5
a story about an intern observing their boss interviewing an alien that was captured by the government. i wish i could tell you what happened but i was genuinely so confused.
nobody cares who we kiss at the end of the world - 4/5
a story about two teens who are yearning for each other as they are the only ones left in their town since everyone else disappeared. i don’t know what it is about the end-of-the-world anxiety over losing what they have but this one hit. what a great way to end off the anthology.
June 3, 2022
{I received a digital arc for an honest review}
I'm always meaning to read more Sci-fi and when I saw this anthology of Queer YA Sci-fi up for review on Netgalley I jumped at it. I was excited to dip my toes into more Sci-fi with this collection of short stories, and I'm so glad I made that decision. I have also never reviewed an anthology before, so bear with me. While a few of them really didn't work for me, either way I've come out of it with more than a handful of new authors that I want to check out their blacklist. My favorites from the anthology we're written by Alex London, Mato J Steger,Z.R. Ellor, Emma K Ohland, Abdi Nazemian, K. Ancrum, and Leah Johnson. My favorites are all short stories that left me satisfied but wishing there was more, and ended with hope of happily ever afters in their futures. I'm going to talk about these favorites a little and at the end give my rating for the others.
“Nothing will ever be like this. No one will ever be like you. No matter who you’d been, or who you are. In here, you’re the world.”“I’m… the world…” I repeated, a terror I hadn’t felt since the fifth Revolution welling up in my chest. “And after all of this is over,” Mira continued, “for me, you still will be.”
My Favorites
(In reading Order)
Doublers by Alex London ⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M I'll be honest I don't know how to explain this one fully but it's a future where you can transfer your conscious to a synthetic body on Mars, but your original self, your doubler, stays on earth and you're suppose to be determinated, but many people go rogue. Two boys who break up and re-find each other both on Mars and the Doublers on Earth, but their reunion can go positive or negatively.
Aesthetically Hungry by Mato J Steger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M Trans MC
Physical Augments that allow a trans boy to finally have the body he imagines for himself but in the end finds someone who loves him for him, augmentation or not.
Renaissance by Emma K Ohland ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F/F Earth and the stars are dying . A poor girl and a rich girl bond under the stars and it's a bit depressing but ends on a note of hope.
Like sunshine, like concrete by Z.R. Ellor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M Trans male mc
Super Soldiers - enemies to lovers - I don't want to say anything else because this is one where the plot twists are what made this story great. I just loved it!
Crash Landing by Mason Deaver⭐⭐⭐⭐
F/F , Trans female
Girl Home alone for 2 days spends the day with an alien who crash lands in her backyard and gives her the courage to tell her best friend her feelings.
Concerto by Abdi Nazemian⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M ,PoC mcs
The air had become toxic from man-made nuclear disasters, so people are using time loops to either go forward in time or backwards. Because of their families , two boys in love end up going in different directions. They are always connected through the power of music and find their way back to one another through time.
Home by K. Ancrum ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Two Queer people on a space station find themselves in a 24 hour time loop, just the two of them. They form an incomparable bond and are together for decades before potentially find a way to fix the loop.
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World by Leah Johnson ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F/F A girl and her girlfriend wake up to find they are the only people left in the world. Both had opposite family lives, so both have different reactions to their new reality. How will they react to the discovery that maybe they aren't the only people left after all.
Great end to the Anthology!
The Rift by Claire Kann ⭐⭐⭐
The department of Home Going Affairs by Kalynn Bayron ⭐⭐⭐
The Undeniable Price of Everything by Z Brewer ⭐⭐⭐
Present: Tense by Jim Mccarthy ⭐⭐⭐
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike ⭐⭐
Translating for The Machine by Nita Tyndall ⭐⭐
Reshadow by Adam Sass ⭐⭐⭐
Beauty Sleep by Alechia Dow ⭐⭐
Nick and Bodhi by Naomi Kanakia (DNF)
I'm always meaning to read more Sci-fi and when I saw this anthology of Queer YA Sci-fi up for review on Netgalley I jumped at it. I was excited to dip my toes into more Sci-fi with this collection of short stories, and I'm so glad I made that decision. I have also never reviewed an anthology before, so bear with me. While a few of them really didn't work for me, either way I've come out of it with more than a handful of new authors that I want to check out their blacklist. My favorites from the anthology we're written by Alex London, Mato J Steger,Z.R. Ellor, Emma K Ohland, Abdi Nazemian, K. Ancrum, and Leah Johnson. My favorites are all short stories that left me satisfied but wishing there was more, and ended with hope of happily ever afters in their futures. I'm going to talk about these favorites a little and at the end give my rating for the others.
“Nothing will ever be like this. No one will ever be like you. No matter who you’d been, or who you are. In here, you’re the world.”“I’m… the world…” I repeated, a terror I hadn’t felt since the fifth Revolution welling up in my chest. “And after all of this is over,” Mira continued, “for me, you still will be.”
My Favorites
(In reading Order)
Doublers by Alex London ⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M I'll be honest I don't know how to explain this one fully but it's a future where you can transfer your conscious to a synthetic body on Mars, but your original self, your doubler, stays on earth and you're suppose to be determinated, but many people go rogue. Two boys who break up and re-find each other both on Mars and the Doublers on Earth, but their reunion can go positive or negatively.
Aesthetically Hungry by Mato J Steger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M Trans MC
Physical Augments that allow a trans boy to finally have the body he imagines for himself but in the end finds someone who loves him for him, augmentation or not.
Renaissance by Emma K Ohland ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F/F Earth and the stars are dying . A poor girl and a rich girl bond under the stars and it's a bit depressing but ends on a note of hope.
Like sunshine, like concrete by Z.R. Ellor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M Trans male mc
Super Soldiers - enemies to lovers - I don't want to say anything else because this is one where the plot twists are what made this story great. I just loved it!
Crash Landing by Mason Deaver⭐⭐⭐⭐
F/F , Trans female
Girl Home alone for 2 days spends the day with an alien who crash lands in her backyard and gives her the courage to tell her best friend her feelings.
Concerto by Abdi Nazemian⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M/M ,PoC mcs
The air had become toxic from man-made nuclear disasters, so people are using time loops to either go forward in time or backwards. Because of their families , two boys in love end up going in different directions. They are always connected through the power of music and find their way back to one another through time.
Home by K. Ancrum ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Two Queer people on a space station find themselves in a 24 hour time loop, just the two of them. They form an incomparable bond and are together for decades before potentially find a way to fix the loop.
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World by Leah Johnson ⭐⭐⭐⭐
F/F A girl and her girlfriend wake up to find they are the only people left in the world. Both had opposite family lives, so both have different reactions to their new reality. How will they react to the discovery that maybe they aren't the only people left after all.
Great end to the Anthology!
The Rift by Claire Kann ⭐⭐⭐
The department of Home Going Affairs by Kalynn Bayron ⭐⭐⭐
The Undeniable Price of Everything by Z Brewer ⭐⭐⭐
Present: Tense by Jim Mccarthy ⭐⭐⭐
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike ⭐⭐
Translating for The Machine by Nita Tyndall ⭐⭐
Reshadow by Adam Sass ⭐⭐⭐
Beauty Sleep by Alechia Dow ⭐⭐
Nick and Bodhi by Naomi Kanakia (DNF)
May 26, 2022
Third in a trilogy of queer YA anthologies, the sci-fi collection Out There features a broad range of takes on familiar sci-fi tropes from a queer (and largely trans) perspective. With an emphasis on worldbuilding and intersectional identities, themes across the collection include exceptionalism, coming out, bigoted authority figures in both official and parental form, and of course coming to terms with identity. While there are a fair number of cliffhangers that left me wishing for a less ambiguous ending, I enjoyed this sampling of stories that go far beyond the representation available in my own queer teenage years.
There is certainly something to appreciate in the queer penchant for mystery and leaving things up for the imagination, and while that’s not always my preference a few of the authors handle it masterfully. The portrayal of queerness varies from a central plot point to a characterization like any other. There’s a range of gender expression without any noticeable skew, and many characters of color. There are also at least a couple of characters on the asexual spectrum, which I appreciated. I would’ve liked to have seen disability featured, though, since I always get a little nervous about whether authors are assuming it doesn’t exist in the future, and I didn’t notice any explicitly polyamorous characters.
The writing quality is for the most part quite high, with only one story I actively disliked, mainly due to personal preference against the kind of “talking like we’re British royals” written dialect that’s occasionally used in speculative fiction. Philosophical questions play a major role as in any good sci-fi collection. More than one story grapples with the acceptable cost of gender transition, and tense interactions with police and surveillance technology are often featured. Political references to our current situation in general abound, as do considerations of privilege and what that might afford you in the future.
Of course we get a lot of stories of love unrequited, lost, found, or simply enjoyed. The approaches to romance itself aren’t particularly transgressive or unique, but for a YA collection published in 2022 I appreciate the need to just see happy queer kids in love! The romantic in me was especially charmed by Abdi Nazemian’s “Concerto,” a beautiful tale that includes an unlikely digression on trees: “It’s about how trees—well they’re connected underground. We don’t think about that because we’re more interested in how they soar to the sky. Human beings have always been more interested in what’s above them than what’s below. We don’t pay attention to what grounds us. Maybe that’s been our worst mistake.” As a change doula who works heavily with natural metaphors, I couldn’t agree more.
Human relationships in general get a complex treatment in some of the stories. In Naomi Kanakia’s “Nick and Bodhi,” for example, privilege is not what it seems, even if the villain is pretty dang awful. In “Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World,” Leah Johnson explores a choice between romantic satisfaction and community with a little nod to queer communal living. There’s even one story with a mass disappearance that spares queers for some reason, which kind of takes care of homophobia all in one fell swoop!
Some of the tales are pretty dark and grim, but you also get fun plots including a story that is basically trans Captain America and Bucky Barnes. I am never not going to be here for that. References to escape rooms and Ouija boards, and even an entire story set in an airport, give these futuristic worlds connections to our own.
(ARC provided through NetGalley.)
There is certainly something to appreciate in the queer penchant for mystery and leaving things up for the imagination, and while that’s not always my preference a few of the authors handle it masterfully. The portrayal of queerness varies from a central plot point to a characterization like any other. There’s a range of gender expression without any noticeable skew, and many characters of color. There are also at least a couple of characters on the asexual spectrum, which I appreciated. I would’ve liked to have seen disability featured, though, since I always get a little nervous about whether authors are assuming it doesn’t exist in the future, and I didn’t notice any explicitly polyamorous characters.
The writing quality is for the most part quite high, with only one story I actively disliked, mainly due to personal preference against the kind of “talking like we’re British royals” written dialect that’s occasionally used in speculative fiction. Philosophical questions play a major role as in any good sci-fi collection. More than one story grapples with the acceptable cost of gender transition, and tense interactions with police and surveillance technology are often featured. Political references to our current situation in general abound, as do considerations of privilege and what that might afford you in the future.
Of course we get a lot of stories of love unrequited, lost, found, or simply enjoyed. The approaches to romance itself aren’t particularly transgressive or unique, but for a YA collection published in 2022 I appreciate the need to just see happy queer kids in love! The romantic in me was especially charmed by Abdi Nazemian’s “Concerto,” a beautiful tale that includes an unlikely digression on trees: “It’s about how trees—well they’re connected underground. We don’t think about that because we’re more interested in how they soar to the sky. Human beings have always been more interested in what’s above them than what’s below. We don’t pay attention to what grounds us. Maybe that’s been our worst mistake.” As a change doula who works heavily with natural metaphors, I couldn’t agree more.
Human relationships in general get a complex treatment in some of the stories. In Naomi Kanakia’s “Nick and Bodhi,” for example, privilege is not what it seems, even if the villain is pretty dang awful. In “Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World,” Leah Johnson explores a choice between romantic satisfaction and community with a little nod to queer communal living. There’s even one story with a mass disappearance that spares queers for some reason, which kind of takes care of homophobia all in one fell swoop!
Some of the tales are pretty dark and grim, but you also get fun plots including a story that is basically trans Captain America and Bucky Barnes. I am never not going to be here for that. References to escape rooms and Ouija boards, and even an entire story set in an airport, give these futuristic worlds connections to our own.
(ARC provided through NetGalley.)
June 12, 2022
Thank you to Harper360YA for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This conclusion to the three anthologies is such a great read. For those readers looking to diversify the authors they read and the characters they read about, just pick up this book. It’s a good one.
‘Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder’ is a book of short stories by 17 of today’s most exciting LGBTQ+ YA authors. All of the stories in this book feature queer teens set in the future.
The representation in this collection of short stories is incredible. We have characters of colour, we have lesbian, gay and bisexual characters, we have trans characters, we have asexual characters and characters with a range of different pronouns. We have characters who are comfortable with themselves and how they identify and those characters who are still coming to terms with who they are inside. It is so refreshing to read a book that doesn’t stick to many of the usual tropes and themes we always see.
My favourite short story of them all was ‘Concerto’. It was truly magically so I highly recommend that one.
Some of the stories do feel like they are written for very young adults so they didn’t hit quite as hard as some of the others for me - but that is just personal opinion. This book is aimed at YA readers so those in the right age demographic may love every single one equally.
A great book and I’m so glad I got to read it during Pride Month! Recommend.
This conclusion to the three anthologies is such a great read. For those readers looking to diversify the authors they read and the characters they read about, just pick up this book. It’s a good one.
‘Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder’ is a book of short stories by 17 of today’s most exciting LGBTQ+ YA authors. All of the stories in this book feature queer teens set in the future.
The representation in this collection of short stories is incredible. We have characters of colour, we have lesbian, gay and bisexual characters, we have trans characters, we have asexual characters and characters with a range of different pronouns. We have characters who are comfortable with themselves and how they identify and those characters who are still coming to terms with who they are inside. It is so refreshing to read a book that doesn’t stick to many of the usual tropes and themes we always see.
My favourite short story of them all was ‘Concerto’. It was truly magically so I highly recommend that one.
Some of the stories do feel like they are written for very young adults so they didn’t hit quite as hard as some of the others for me - but that is just personal opinion. This book is aimed at YA readers so those in the right age demographic may love every single one equally.
A great book and I’m so glad I got to read it during Pride Month! Recommend.
June 15, 2022
Though I read through most of each story, my review and rating is exclusively for Reshadow by Adam Sass and Alechia Dow's Beauty Sleep.
Ok, so, disregarding *that ending* for the time being, Reshadow needs to be immediately sold as a TV pilot. A show about Escape Rooms but make it about changing different pivotal life choices??? YES! ABSOLUTELY! GIMME! Adam can write anything and I'll read it. This story kept me engaged from beginning to the shocking twist ending.
Beauty Sleep, written by Scifi Queen, Alechia Dow, almost feels like a draft that took a different path of Alecia's latest release, The Kindred. Both stories are about mind linking to another person and learning to see things in a different perspective. And, in true Alechia Dow fashion, music and humanity are the heart of the story. Sleeping Beauty retelling but with consent!
Ok, so, disregarding *that ending* for the time being, Reshadow needs to be immediately sold as a TV pilot. A show about Escape Rooms but make it about changing different pivotal life choices??? YES! ABSOLUTELY! GIMME! Adam can write anything and I'll read it. This story kept me engaged from beginning to the shocking twist ending.
Beauty Sleep, written by Scifi Queen, Alechia Dow, almost feels like a draft that took a different path of Alecia's latest release, The Kindred. Both stories are about mind linking to another person and learning to see things in a different perspective. And, in true Alechia Dow fashion, music and humanity are the heart of the story. Sleeping Beauty retelling but with consent!
June 10, 2022
I got a review copy from harper360ya
I got a chance to read it on it's release day. But due to dental pain have had to take breaks and come back and forth between it.
Anthologies are always hit or miss for me. But this one i really enjoyed, there was only one story out of all of them that i did not vibe with at all.
My favourites have to be
H O M E by K. Ancrum
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike
Concerto by Abdi Nazemian
Reshadow by Adam Sass
The Rift by Claire Kann
Doublers by Alex London
I am really thinking of getting the other Anthologies to read after reading this one 🤔
I got a chance to read it on it's release day. But due to dental pain have had to take breaks and come back and forth between it.
Anthologies are always hit or miss for me. But this one i really enjoyed, there was only one story out of all of them that i did not vibe with at all.
My favourites have to be
H O M E by K. Ancrum
Fractal Eyes by Ugochi M. Agoawike
Concerto by Abdi Nazemian
Reshadow by Adam Sass
The Rift by Claire Kann
Doublers by Alex London
I am really thinking of getting the other Anthologies to read after reading this one 🤔
November 22, 2023
Read about half the stories before it had to go back to the library, and I may or may not get back to it. Some stories were good! Others were just okay.
December 20, 2021
Really fantastic set of queer sci-fi stories, delivering on diversity and unique storytelling. They range from emotional to hilarious, and I'm so glad we have queer anthologies out in the world. Of course, I liked some stories better than others, but as a whole unit, this was so fun to read and imagine.
Doublers, Alex London: Rep: Gay MC, gay SC CW: Cheating, outing Thoughts: Future where people can send their consciousness to a new body on mars, but inhabiting both planets is illegal, and a boy has to hunt his ex down for it. Love the way this is written and the story overall.
Aesthetically Hungry, Mato J. Steger: Rep: Indigenous/trans/gay MC, indigenous/gay LI CW: Dysphoria, sexism/toxic masculinity, police interaction, medical procedure/transition Thoughts: Future where people can change anything they want with a short microchip procedure, so MC asks for gender confirmation. Realizes by the end that even if he's not cis, he's still a man. I was worried about what the message would be, but it was really well done in the end.
The Rift, Claire Kahn: Rep: Black/Sapphic MC, Black SC, Korean SC CW: bullying, racism, manipulation Thoughts: 34 Children taken to another dimension to be raised with special abilities, 3 are returned and one is the MC. Interesting premise.
Renaissance, Emma K. Ohland: Rep: sapphic (possibly aspec?) MC, sapphic LI CW: environmental apocalypse Thoughts: The earth is dying bc it's too close to the sun, the rich get to board a ship and leave. Two girls meet one rich one poor. A sweet story of a whirlwind romance that could never last. Really enjoyed.
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete, Z.R. Ellor: Rep: Trans/gay MC, trans/gay SC CW: Military abuse, violence, manipulation Thoughts: The US Military creates a drug and uses it on pre-T trans men to give them the bodies they want and turns them into super soldiers. MC fights super villain LI (reads like steve/bucky fanfic tbh).
Translating for the Machine, Nita Tyndall: Rep: NB MC CW: None Thoughts: Future where an all-knowing machine tells a council what's coming so they can act on it. NB person is the translator for the machine and gets vital info no one should have. Thought this was a cool one I'd like to read more of.
Reshadow, Adam Sass: Rep: Gay/Achillean MC and SC CW: none Thoughts: High school student who loves escape rooms tries a new one that isn't as it seems. Loved the premise and twist of this one!
The Department of Homegoing Affairs, Kalynn Bayron: Rep: Black MC's and SC's, Sapphic MC and LI CW: Death, ghosts/hauntings, afterlife, grief Thoughts: Girl can see beyond the veil and goes to work for DHA to hone her skills and help her grandma pass over. Full of grief, but just enough. Great Story.
The Undeniable Price of Everything, Z Brewer: Rep: NB/aro MC CW: Environmental catastrophe, death/killing (inferred not seen) Thoughts: Kid lives in a building where they can't leave because of the 'haze' and a stranger comes to give him 'everything'. I was intrigued but still, feel like it was missing something.
Present: Tense, Jim McCarthy: Rep: Gay MC, Queer SC's, Trans SC CW: Religious persecution, unsupportive parents, parental abandonment, sudden disappearance Thoughts: The rapture but only the straights disappear. Honestly love the entire concept of this.
Nick and Bodhi, Naomi Kanakia: Rep: Trans/Indian MC, gender non-conforming SC, Black/queer SC CW: transphobia, angry white man Thoughts: Kid who is angry white dudebro incarnate discovers the secrets to the multiverse and tortures everyone with it. MC beats him at his own game. Funny story.
Crash Landing, Mason Deaver: Rep: Trans/lesbian MC, Femme Alien CW: Spaceship crash landing (idk sounds stressful) Thoughts: Trans girl crushing on her best friend gets advice from an alien that crash lands in her backyard. A cute story full of nice feels.
Beauty Sleep, Alechia Dow: Black sapphic MC, Black sapphic SC's CW: violence, colonization, forced separation Thoughts: Sleeping Beauty but make is Black and Sapphic. Really cool futuristic fairy tale a la The Lunar Chronicles.
Concerto, Abdi Nazemian: Rep: Gay Iranian MC, Gay Columbian LI CW: homophonic parent Thoughts: Humans are forced to time travel to the past or future to escape nuclear disaster. MC and LI try to hold on to their connection through time and space. Really sweet story.
Home, K. Ancrum: Rep: Intersex MC, queer MC CW: none Thoughts: Two teenagers caught in a time loop together at a moon station. Really lovely writing and story.
Fractal Eyes, Ugochi M. Agoawike: Rep: Black nonbinary MC CW: forced imprisonment, government testing Thoughts: Intern observes boss interviewing an alien the government has captured. I have no idea what happened in this story.
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World, Leah Johnson: Rep: Black sapphic MC, sapphic sc CW: end of the world survival Thoughts: Two teenagers are the only ones left in their town when everyone else disappears. Really lovely yearning and anxiety over losing what they have.
Doublers, Alex London: Rep: Gay MC, gay SC CW: Cheating, outing Thoughts: Future where people can send their consciousness to a new body on mars, but inhabiting both planets is illegal, and a boy has to hunt his ex down for it. Love the way this is written and the story overall.
Aesthetically Hungry, Mato J. Steger: Rep: Indigenous/trans/gay MC, indigenous/gay LI CW: Dysphoria, sexism/toxic masculinity, police interaction, medical procedure/transition Thoughts: Future where people can change anything they want with a short microchip procedure, so MC asks for gender confirmation. Realizes by the end that even if he's not cis, he's still a man. I was worried about what the message would be, but it was really well done in the end.
The Rift, Claire Kahn: Rep: Black/Sapphic MC, Black SC, Korean SC CW: bullying, racism, manipulation Thoughts: 34 Children taken to another dimension to be raised with special abilities, 3 are returned and one is the MC. Interesting premise.
Renaissance, Emma K. Ohland: Rep: sapphic (possibly aspec?) MC, sapphic LI CW: environmental apocalypse Thoughts: The earth is dying bc it's too close to the sun, the rich get to board a ship and leave. Two girls meet one rich one poor. A sweet story of a whirlwind romance that could never last. Really enjoyed.
Like Sunshine, Like Concrete, Z.R. Ellor: Rep: Trans/gay MC, trans/gay SC CW: Military abuse, violence, manipulation Thoughts: The US Military creates a drug and uses it on pre-T trans men to give them the bodies they want and turns them into super soldiers. MC fights super villain LI (reads like steve/bucky fanfic tbh).
Translating for the Machine, Nita Tyndall: Rep: NB MC CW: None Thoughts: Future where an all-knowing machine tells a council what's coming so they can act on it. NB person is the translator for the machine and gets vital info no one should have. Thought this was a cool one I'd like to read more of.
Reshadow, Adam Sass: Rep: Gay/Achillean MC and SC CW: none Thoughts: High school student who loves escape rooms tries a new one that isn't as it seems. Loved the premise and twist of this one!
The Department of Homegoing Affairs, Kalynn Bayron: Rep: Black MC's and SC's, Sapphic MC and LI CW: Death, ghosts/hauntings, afterlife, grief Thoughts: Girl can see beyond the veil and goes to work for DHA to hone her skills and help her grandma pass over. Full of grief, but just enough. Great Story.
The Undeniable Price of Everything, Z Brewer: Rep: NB/aro MC CW: Environmental catastrophe, death/killing (inferred not seen) Thoughts: Kid lives in a building where they can't leave because of the 'haze' and a stranger comes to give him 'everything'. I was intrigued but still, feel like it was missing something.
Present: Tense, Jim McCarthy: Rep: Gay MC, Queer SC's, Trans SC CW: Religious persecution, unsupportive parents, parental abandonment, sudden disappearance Thoughts: The rapture but only the straights disappear. Honestly love the entire concept of this.
Nick and Bodhi, Naomi Kanakia: Rep: Trans/Indian MC, gender non-conforming SC, Black/queer SC CW: transphobia, angry white man Thoughts: Kid who is angry white dudebro incarnate discovers the secrets to the multiverse and tortures everyone with it. MC beats him at his own game. Funny story.
Crash Landing, Mason Deaver: Rep: Trans/lesbian MC, Femme Alien CW: Spaceship crash landing (idk sounds stressful) Thoughts: Trans girl crushing on her best friend gets advice from an alien that crash lands in her backyard. A cute story full of nice feels.
Beauty Sleep, Alechia Dow: Black sapphic MC, Black sapphic SC's CW: violence, colonization, forced separation Thoughts: Sleeping Beauty but make is Black and Sapphic. Really cool futuristic fairy tale a la The Lunar Chronicles.
Concerto, Abdi Nazemian: Rep: Gay Iranian MC, Gay Columbian LI CW: homophonic parent Thoughts: Humans are forced to time travel to the past or future to escape nuclear disaster. MC and LI try to hold on to their connection through time and space. Really sweet story.
Home, K. Ancrum: Rep: Intersex MC, queer MC CW: none Thoughts: Two teenagers caught in a time loop together at a moon station. Really lovely writing and story.
Fractal Eyes, Ugochi M. Agoawike: Rep: Black nonbinary MC CW: forced imprisonment, government testing Thoughts: Intern observes boss interviewing an alien the government has captured. I have no idea what happened in this story.
Nobody Cares Who We Kiss at the End of the World, Leah Johnson: Rep: Black sapphic MC, sapphic sc CW: end of the world survival Thoughts: Two teenagers are the only ones left in their town when everyone else disappears. Really lovely yearning and anxiety over losing what they have.
December 31, 2024
Damn this took me a long while. Some were really good but other stories bored me, hence why it has taken me so long to get through.
March 17, 2023
I very rarely read anthologies and come away thinking, “this was cohesively amazing”. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever read an anthology and said that. I think that’s a big reason why anthologies always get such mixed reviews: everyone likes and dislikes different stories and different things stick in people’s heads.
This anthology has taken over my head. It’s been almost a week since I finished it and I still keep thinking about characters and different worlds and. Keep wanting more more more of the stories. My absolute favorites, which I just thought were done SO, SO wonderfully well, were “Aesthetically Hungry”, “Renaissance”, “Reshadow”, “The Department of Homegoing Affairs”, “Present: Tense”, “Concerto” and “H O M E”.
Reading “Aesthetically Hungry”, as a trans person, just hurt worse than I thought it could. It was like someone had figured out how to pull the feelings of dysphoria out of my head and penned them onto paper. I was stopping, processing and rereading sections over and over and over again. And I was in pain because it hurts to see those thoughts on paper. If Sophisticate-X existed here, I don’t doubt that I’d make the same decision Wrench did.
“Renaissance” is one of my ultimate favorites from this entire collection. Hanna’s feelings, meeting Eleni, their emotional connection…everything was just so perfect. This was the first one that I read that dealt with climate change in a way that made me cry. Stargazing is a large part of this story and that’s what I used to do with my grandpa before he passed away. So, reading this, and hearing about those stars disappear, hurt. Overall, though, the emotions in this story really won me over. Hanna was up front about her feelings about everything and you could hear the amount of love she had for her family and eventually for Eleni. The ending definitely left me wanting more, but I felt that way about every short story.
“Reshadow” made me sob. That one short story, less than 30 pages, made me bawl my eyes out and it was all feelings and emotions. It was fantastic. The way Adam Sass started this story was so unassuming, quiet and I just did not expect the plot twist that it gave. Something a lot of books are doing lately is incorporating queer people that are older and that was what we see in this one, eventually, which I also loved. I just can’t say too much about this one without giving anything away but please know that it was my Top 3 in this anthology. And if you love escape rooms, you’ll love this.
As much as I could keep going, I’m only going to talk about two more, so this list will be my Top 5. And another one of my favorites was “Present: Tense.” You know we joke about half the world’s population disappearing: Marvel did it, TikTok makes jokes about it, but the way it was done in this book was brilliant. There’s no better word for it. I LOVED this story from start to finish and I truly hope to read more by Jim McCarthy going forward because if it’s anything like this, I won’t be able to look away.
Last, but certainly not least, and another one of my Top 3, “Concerto”. What can I say about this that will help you understand how it made me feel? Oh yeah, it WRECKED me. I sat there reading this, drowning in emotions because it had immigrant parents who were once refugees, parental trauma, losing the love of your life and casual homophobia from your parents. All of which hurts individually as it is, but put together, it will ruin you. This is me warning you. If you love music, the end of the world and trauma, this is going to be your favorite one. I just can’t sum up my feelings because it was so well done.
Overall, this entire collection was amazing. The concepts, the storytelling: all of it blended so well together to create this wonderfully concise and amazing set of stories and I can’t wait to see what Saundra Mitchell comes up with next!!
This anthology has taken over my head. It’s been almost a week since I finished it and I still keep thinking about characters and different worlds and. Keep wanting more more more of the stories. My absolute favorites, which I just thought were done SO, SO wonderfully well, were “Aesthetically Hungry”, “Renaissance”, “Reshadow”, “The Department of Homegoing Affairs”, “Present: Tense”, “Concerto” and “H O M E”.
Reading “Aesthetically Hungry”, as a trans person, just hurt worse than I thought it could. It was like someone had figured out how to pull the feelings of dysphoria out of my head and penned them onto paper. I was stopping, processing and rereading sections over and over and over again. And I was in pain because it hurts to see those thoughts on paper. If Sophisticate-X existed here, I don’t doubt that I’d make the same decision Wrench did.
“Renaissance” is one of my ultimate favorites from this entire collection. Hanna’s feelings, meeting Eleni, their emotional connection…everything was just so perfect. This was the first one that I read that dealt with climate change in a way that made me cry. Stargazing is a large part of this story and that’s what I used to do with my grandpa before he passed away. So, reading this, and hearing about those stars disappear, hurt. Overall, though, the emotions in this story really won me over. Hanna was up front about her feelings about everything and you could hear the amount of love she had for her family and eventually for Eleni. The ending definitely left me wanting more, but I felt that way about every short story.
“Reshadow” made me sob. That one short story, less than 30 pages, made me bawl my eyes out and it was all feelings and emotions. It was fantastic. The way Adam Sass started this story was so unassuming, quiet and I just did not expect the plot twist that it gave. Something a lot of books are doing lately is incorporating queer people that are older and that was what we see in this one, eventually, which I also loved. I just can’t say too much about this one without giving anything away but please know that it was my Top 3 in this anthology. And if you love escape rooms, you’ll love this.
As much as I could keep going, I’m only going to talk about two more, so this list will be my Top 5. And another one of my favorites was “Present: Tense.” You know we joke about half the world’s population disappearing: Marvel did it, TikTok makes jokes about it, but the way it was done in this book was brilliant. There’s no better word for it. I LOVED this story from start to finish and I truly hope to read more by Jim McCarthy going forward because if it’s anything like this, I won’t be able to look away.
Last, but certainly not least, and another one of my Top 3, “Concerto”. What can I say about this that will help you understand how it made me feel? Oh yeah, it WRECKED me. I sat there reading this, drowning in emotions because it had immigrant parents who were once refugees, parental trauma, losing the love of your life and casual homophobia from your parents. All of which hurts individually as it is, but put together, it will ruin you. This is me warning you. If you love music, the end of the world and trauma, this is going to be your favorite one. I just can’t sum up my feelings because it was so well done.
Overall, this entire collection was amazing. The concepts, the storytelling: all of it blended so well together to create this wonderfully concise and amazing set of stories and I can’t wait to see what Saundra Mitchell comes up with next!!
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