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Firestorm: A Collection of Sci Fi Stories
If you obsess over FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON, you will love the twenty-three sci fi stories in this collection. Each tale examines some aspect of the human condition, sometimes dark and dystopian, sometimes optimistic, but always thought-provoking.
If you enjoy time travel, try “Neverland through the Looking Glass,” “The Self-Murder Solution,” or “One Million Years in a Day.”
“The Self-Murder Solution” describes a suicide crisis a few hundred years in the future from the point of view of a contemporary woman who tries to kill herself.
In “One Million Years in a Day,” an up-close survey of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy goes awry when a pilot erroneously crosses the event horizon.
In “Neverland through the Looking Glass,” just about everything that can go wrong does, and the culpable scientific and military people try to undo the damage within a narrow window of opportunity.
The stories featuring trans characters are: “Informed Consent,” “Yes, Dear, Breast Cancer can Kill a Trans Woman,” and “The Gender Blender.” The author is a male-to-female transsexual, and these stories are drawn from her experience as an early transitioned (1974) trans woman.
Dystopian stories include “Ride the Snake,” “Maiden Voyage of the Fearless,” and “The Black Hole: A Tale for Men and Women Who Aren’t Trying to Kill Feminism.” “Ride the Snake” describes a “golden” future that is a little bit more than tarnished. “The Maiden Voyage” focuses on a miracle cure for anxieties of all kinds. “Black Hole,” is about the status of women in this world and our future world.
“The Cold Waters of Europa” (a recreational diving expedition goes wrong with the help of eco-terrorists), “Helping Hand” (a stranded astronaut proves that she is seriously tough), or “Raptures of the Deep” (what could possibly turn sideways when exploring the Mariana Trench?) are hard sci fi.
If you want a little humor, there are “Growing Up Human” (cybernetic creatures try to be like people), “The Mimic” (one character accuses the other of being an alien and vice versa), or “Aliens Anonymous” (a quasi-twelve-step program for alien abductees). “Electro Genesis” is about a woman who survives an electric jolt to the brain. And in “Center of the Universe,” astronomers begin to worry when all the stars except Sol appear to be growing dimmer.
In “The Predator Trap,” a quirky entomology student solves a missing-person mystery and discovers a new species. “Crime Warp” mixes science fiction and fantasy when a junior professor discovers that worldwide crime rates are falling. “Death After Dying” takes a look at the possibility of post-mortem brain waves and quasi-life-after-death experiences. And “The Final Launch” centers on an Air Force Colonel who will stop at nothing to launch her missile. “The Conservationist Hunter,” is an adult fairy tale about big-game hunting on a lush alien planet.
If you enjoy time travel, try “Neverland through the Looking Glass,” “The Self-Murder Solution,” or “One Million Years in a Day.”
“The Self-Murder Solution” describes a suicide crisis a few hundred years in the future from the point of view of a contemporary woman who tries to kill herself.
In “One Million Years in a Day,” an up-close survey of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy goes awry when a pilot erroneously crosses the event horizon.
In “Neverland through the Looking Glass,” just about everything that can go wrong does, and the culpable scientific and military people try to undo the damage within a narrow window of opportunity.
The stories featuring trans characters are: “Informed Consent,” “Yes, Dear, Breast Cancer can Kill a Trans Woman,” and “The Gender Blender.” The author is a male-to-female transsexual, and these stories are drawn from her experience as an early transitioned (1974) trans woman.
Dystopian stories include “Ride the Snake,” “Maiden Voyage of the Fearless,” and “The Black Hole: A Tale for Men and Women Who Aren’t Trying to Kill Feminism.” “Ride the Snake” describes a “golden” future that is a little bit more than tarnished. “The Maiden Voyage” focuses on a miracle cure for anxieties of all kinds. “Black Hole,” is about the status of women in this world and our future world.
“The Cold Waters of Europa” (a recreational diving expedition goes wrong with the help of eco-terrorists), “Helping Hand” (a stranded astronaut proves that she is seriously tough), or “Raptures of the Deep” (what could possibly turn sideways when exploring the Mariana Trench?) are hard sci fi.
If you want a little humor, there are “Growing Up Human” (cybernetic creatures try to be like people), “The Mimic” (one character accuses the other of being an alien and vice versa), or “Aliens Anonymous” (a quasi-twelve-step program for alien abductees). “Electro Genesis” is about a woman who survives an electric jolt to the brain. And in “Center of the Universe,” astronomers begin to worry when all the stars except Sol appear to be growing dimmer.
In “The Predator Trap,” a quirky entomology student solves a missing-person mystery and discovers a new species. “Crime Warp” mixes science fiction and fantasy when a junior professor discovers that worldwide crime rates are falling. “Death After Dying” takes a look at the possibility of post-mortem brain waves and quasi-life-after-death experiences. And “The Final Launch” centers on an Air Force Colonel who will stop at nothing to launch her missile. “The Conservationist Hunter,” is an adult fairy tale about big-game hunting on a lush alien planet.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2022
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36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 5, 2022
If, like me, you are a sucker for tales of smart, resourceful people MacGyvering their way out of impossible situations, then pick up this compelling collection of 23 short SF tales and get reading. It also includes stories of spectacular failure in spite of cleverness, and characters who give up and accept their fate for the best reasons. Time travel, space travel, superpowers, medical miracles—they’re all here. Most of the main characters are women (cis and trans, straight and gay). They are scientists, programmers, military officers, space captains—capable people most of us would be happy to have on our team (though the ones with superpowers are a little scary).
While the stories are full of all that is high-tech and cerebral, I found them to also be compassionate and moving. Many of the smart, capable characters are facing great loss—of their own lives, of a loved one, of beauty and youth, of the world they knew. They’re trying to undo the loss, or give it meaning. Even when they get it wrong, they are sympathetic because they are so very human. They have hope, and so do we.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher.
While the stories are full of all that is high-tech and cerebral, I found them to also be compassionate and moving. Many of the smart, capable characters are facing great loss—of their own lives, of a loved one, of beauty and youth, of the world they knew. They’re trying to undo the loss, or give it meaning. Even when they get it wrong, they are sympathetic because they are so very human. They have hope, and so do we.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher.
October 13, 2022
I recommend this collection to sci fi nerds the world over, especially the "hard sci fi" ones. Some brilliant stories about deep waters, on Earth and abroad. Some other brilliant stories about black holes, lots of women getting revenge with their minds (telekinesis), and an excellent one where a woman goes through a black hole and travels 1 million years in the future and seems little phased by the whole thing.
By the way, this collection contains "Helping Hand," which one of the episodes of the Netflix anthology series Love, Death, and Robots.
Highly recommend this collection & really hope Claudine Griggs writes a novel next!
By the way, this collection contains "Helping Hand," which one of the episodes of the Netflix anthology series Love, Death, and Robots.
Highly recommend this collection & really hope Claudine Griggs writes a novel next!
March 16, 2022
An excellent collection of sci fi short stories in the spirit of Robert Sheckley or Ursula Le Guin. Not your average space opera, very thought-provoking, perhaps even controversial for some readers - ultimately, a very satisfying read. The shot story format is great for this easily distracted reader.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews