Federations

Starred review from May 18, 2009
Accomplished editor Adams (The Living Dead
) explores a host of galaxy-spanning empires in this breathtakingly rich anthology. Lois McMaster Bujold’s elegant, elegiacal masterpiece “Aftermaths” brings grace and sorrow into the silence between stars. Clever and subtle, Alan Dean Foster’s “Pardon Our Conquest” examines how diplomacy is perceived by the losing side. Even Harry Turtledove’s “Someone Is Stealing the Great Throne Rooms of the Galaxy” far surpasses what one might expect from the pun-filled adventures of a space hamster named Rufus Q. Shupilluliumash. Newer writers also contribute standouts: Trent Hergenrader’s “Eskhara” is poignant, masterful and terrifyingly relevant to modern life, Georgina Li’s “Like They Always Been Free” is a harsh, bright vision of futuristic love and Catherynne M. Valente’s “Golubush, or Wine-Blood-War-Elegy” smoothly transforms mundane copywriting into a linked series of flash fictions. Superior writing, fantastic storytelling and creative adherence to the theme will keep readers enthralled.

June 15, 2009
From Orson Scott Card's tale of a war hero's ultimate sacrifice and a quasiprequel to the events of "Ender's Game" ("Mazer in Prison") to Yoon Ha Lee's delicate story of a musician's confrontation with her deepest truth in a society where death and art are almost inseparable ("Swanwatch"), the 23 stories collected here share the political superstructure of a galactic federation or union of worlds. Inspired by the sociopolitical dynamics of sf classics like Frank Herbert's "Dune" series and Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy as well as the popular "Star Wars" ® films and "Star Trek" ® films and TV series, the 14 original and nine reprinted tales feature contributions from Anne McCaffrey, Robert Silverberg, Mary Rosenblum, Lois McMaster Bujold, Alan Dean Foster, and other contemporary authors. VERDICT This themed anthology should attract plenty of sf readers, thanks to the success of the new "Star Trek" ® film and the high quality of the contributors.

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