Dark Space

May 15, 2018

Alien planets, other galaxies, and space travel can test anyone, so what happens when those pushed to their limit have a special need? This new anthology of seven stories brings together protagonists who have been considered different because of their physical or mental challenges yet still embody the most common tropes of sf and fantasy. In David Preyde's "Nanny," a young autistic girl is raised on the moon by robots. A germ-fearing alien must deal with the mission to gather food for her species in "The Shepherd" by Heather DuBois. Delving into sight issues and cybernetics, deep space signals and stowaways, these tales focus on the ability to live beyond physical or mental limitations with humor and plenty of action while also serving as valuable metaphors for current disability-rights issues. VERDICT Fans of short sf will enjoy this refreshing collection featuring distinct and varied protagonists.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
In this slim volume, editor Skye has collected seven tales that operate at the intersection between disability fiction and science fiction. In Yvette Franklin's Rhythm of the Stars, a novice crew member finds a home on a starship commanded by a deaf and blind captain pursuing a signal into the reaches of space. David Preyde's Nanny imagines a world in which autistic children are exiled with their robot companions. Leslie Kung's Lazarus Squad, which follows a group of cyborg ex-soldiers with energy-draining prosthetics struggling to acclimate to civilian life, reads like the first chapter of a pulse-pounding novel. In Lynn Figer's Almost Human, a blind private investigator tracks a corporate killer. In most of the stories, the protagonists must function in a universe where their disabilities are cause for derision, exile, or death. Some of the mixed bag of stories in this collection may leave readers wanting more, but this collection represents an important step in the right direction for speculative fiction. Dark Space will appeal to those interested in short stories and diverse characters and is a worthwhile addition to libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)