Seasons Between Us

I loved this anthology!! Especially after about half way, the stories became so interesting and exciting and I got really into it!! It’s such a great concept and executed brilliantly!! The stories chosen are amazing, mostly, and I loved the writers notes at the end of each. They were a good length also.

I originally wanted this because I love Jane Yolen, but now I have found a few other authors to also look in to as well. Not all stories held me, but they definitely all had feelings attached with each. Sadly, anthologies don't sell at my location, but when someone does want one, I will make sure to tell them about this. I'll also suggest someone new in to the sci-fi/fantasy reading check out this book.

I don't normally enjoy anthologies but this is a fabulous book and a great introduction to new writers. Such an excellent premise of whaf it means to be human with a whole range of diverse takes on it. I adored the 'advice to younger self" notes at the end of each one. Such a wise and beautiful concept. A few made me cry. There are some fantastic and thought provoking tales in this book all beautifully written.

A fabulously diverse anthology of heartfelt stories, touching dialogues, strong characters and poetry by a well thought out selection of accomplished authors. I was pleased to be introduced to a few wonderful authors, such as Bev Geddes whose story i did not want to end; Bogi Takac’s endearing and inquisitive protagonist whose perspective of life in Hungary you would forgive because of her innocence and Alan Dean Foster’s wonderful momentary glance into the cosmos. How inspiring, to add the author’s ‘younger self’ advice at the ends of each story. This gives the book another dimension; an insight into what drives the author. A look into their younger self.

I'm certainly up for some uplifting stories. This is a little uneven of collected stories. Many of them were very good. Recommended overall as a collection with a nice variety of tales. I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

“Seasons Between Us”, edited by Susan Forest & Lukas K. Law, several authors ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Very good read. It is a collection of short stories, a mix of sci-fi, light fantasy and dystopian. Some are a bit creepy but they mainly exams our relationships with others and with ourselves. I would call it “Black Mirror with a heart”. They are consistently good stories from beginning to end, a rare thing in collections with different authors. I liked how in a couple paragraphs the authors transported me to the world they created, being it in with a Japanese family and a cyborg, a tar farm hunted by ghosts who can control the weather, an alternative reality where slavery still exists (actually it still does in some places), or in retelling of Cinderella with sword masters. There was one main feature in each story: human relationships and its importance in every situation. What it represents to us and how far would we go for the ones we love. Another cool thing of this book is that in the end of each story the author leaves a note to their young self.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This collection of short stories have a common theme- the seasons of life; birth, youth birth growing old and death. And the meaning and wisdom we can gleam from each season or even as each days starts anew, and we are given a chance to try again. They are a nice mix of fantasy and science fiction, stories and poems, some left me satisfied, and others I really wanted to continue to find out what happens next. I especially enjoyed the advice each other would have given to their younger self. Enjoyable read.

I want to start off with - I've been trying to break from my comfort zone a bit to learn new authors and expand my genre selection to be a better reader and writer. That being said, I am starting to think that short stories may not be something that I can read often. In some of the stories in this book, I wasn't able to connect with the emotions and lives of the characters, not as much as I wanted to at least. There were other stories I found really interesting though. I will be looking into the different authors to see longer pieces. I did enjoy the overall concept and the writing was easy to get through!

These stories helped me disconnect from the working day during my breaks. I found them to be a little uneven in quality, but the range of voices and styles was refreshing. Uplifting in places, haunting in others - the younger self advice at the end was charming and quirky 3 stars

This is an interesting collection of science fiction that does not address identity so much, but the human experience from different perspectives. The collection has a wide variety of formats, levels of science-fiction elements and length. There is even poetry. But the underpaying theme to me was to think about what makes us human. There is a several stories about death, parenthood and what drives us as human to do what we do or choose the careers that we choose. Overall, I found most stories quite interesting, some of which I wish could be developed into full length novels. I particularly liked the stories that were more realistic, almost happening in today's world. I also liked the addition that at the end of each story, instead of adding a biography of the author, they asked them what they would tell to their younger selves.

I always have some difficulty rating a collection of short stories, especially one as diverse as this one. There is a common theme to the stories, the way our identities evolve throughout the seasons of our lives. Every story here is a 'coming of age' story at heart. But genre and writing style vary a lot, and that automatically means you like some more than others. There were a few stories I thought were just OK, and a few that I liked a lot and that will linger. Overall, I liked this collection. I must admit I'm not a huge fan of short stories to begin with. I like to be swept away to another world, immerse myself in other characters, and I find that very hard to experience with a story that's practically over before it's begun. So I guess people who do like short stories will probably get more out of this.

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC. I rarely read short story collections or fantasy or sci fi stories but the premise behind this one sounded interesting. And it did not disappoint. Most stories were interesting and thought provoking. A few were a bit to sci-fi for me but many were realistic and almost plausible especially after living through a pandemic. I especially liked each other's notes to their younger selves at the end of each story.

This is an interesting and diverse anthology of stories, if a little out of my comfort zone. Some really resonated with me, others not so much. My favorite parts were the ‘advice to younger self’ notes at the end of each contribution, which I found unfailingly wise and revealing. That said, I’m not convinced that the short story format is for me, as they always seem to end just as I’m getting into the characters. I think I’ll probably stick to full-fledged novels from now on.