Kamas Kirian’s Reviews > Isaac's Universe Volume Two: Phases In Chaos > Status Update

Woodcraft by Poul Anderson is the followup to his piece in volume one The Burning Sky. Larise and Copperhue are back, several decades later as the naxians are settling on New Halla. It's another rescue story, this time with a very ecocentric theme. Not a bad story, though a little preachy.

Winging It by Janet Kagen made me misty eyed as well as had me laughing. It's a story about a disabled Crotonite and a disabled human pushing each other out of their comfort zone. Somehow, I always feel so mournful whenever I read about the mutilations the Crotonites force on their 'ambassadors'. It's like they've been castrated.

Keep The Faith by Lawrence Watt-Evans was a cute little story about the cultural difference between two of the species. I found it rather humorous.

The Soul of Truth by Karen Haber was a story that I found a little too simplified that revolved around malfunctioning technology. It's basically just another rehashing of the Frankenstein Complex.

Phases In Chaos by Hal Clement was a good, longer short story revolving around the need for disparate species to work together in order to survive while exploring dangerous territory. Though mistrustful of each other, they do end up with some mutual respect for each other.

Thirty Pieces by Harry Turtledove is story about deception and potential among the various alien races, starfaring and almost starfaring.

Mecca by Allen Steele is told in an interview style. It's told by the sole survivor of a pirate crew whose ship was shot down and is the story of how the survivors were forced to labor to repair the damage they had done. Interesting story, though the interview style was not as engaging as some other forms of storytelling.