The Sign of the Dragon is a rarity. It’s hard to describe what makes it so great, so I will start with just describing what makes it unique: firstly, The Sign of the Dragon is a rarity. It’s hard to describe what makes it so great, so I will start with just describing what makes it unique: firstly, its structure (an epic fantasy novel written via 300-something poems) and secondly, its content (a story of a mythic figure, yet extremely personal).
I’ve never heard of a book of speculative poetry with this kind of ambition before. You’d think it would get old after the first hundred or so, but it only becomes more enchanting, immersing you like some epic poem of old. I found myself captivated by the rhythm of it all, the beauty of the words, the magic of its verses. Definitely worked very well for me.
But my favorite part was undoubtedly its story. The tale of King Xau is an inspiring one—in a conversation with Mary Soon Lee, she said people told her everyone is too kind in this book, and this is a sensible statement: nearly every poem, every moment, every fragment of this is saturated with kindness.
King Xau himself is the biggest reason for this: he exudes kindliness with every waking breath! It’s a contagious kind of thing, elevating him very quickly to a legendary status, with many tiny examples of his warmth and gentleness. Yet it never feels naïve—he suffers consequences, the good moments feel well-earned, he becomes this strange mix of a very human person yet a figure of myth.
There are some other hints throughout this story of this being a somewhat mythic tale—we are sometimes unsure whether everything truly happened as it is depicted, or whether this is some cultures version of e.g. the Odyssey. At other moments it clearly “breaks the fourth wall”, mentioning stuff which happens but will not be remembered by the historians.
It’s a very interesting narrative device. I don’t think this story would work as a novel. Neither do I think this will at all appeal to those who cherish grimdark (though it certainly gets dark at times), people who believe all people are fundamentally evil, that lord-of-the-flies crowd.
But if you are one of those Becky Chambers-loving, hopeful people who look for the positive in humanity, if you are someone who wants to read something truly experimental, a kind of multicultural hopepunk story with Guy Gavriel Kay-level emotions… You will love this book as I did. You will cherish the characters, the words and the lyricism.
Highly recommend. One of my favorites of the year. I hope to reread this next year—slowly, perhaps a poem a day, daily invigoration.
Merged review:
The Sign of the Dragon is a rarity. It’s hard to describe what makes it so great, so I will start with just describing what makes it unique: firstly, its structure (an epic fantasy novel written via 300-something poems) and secondly, its content (a story of a mythic figure, yet extremely personal).
I’ve never heard of a book of speculative poetry with this kind of ambition before. You’d think it would get old after the first hundred or so, but it only becomes more enchanting, immersing you like some epic poem of old. I found myself captivated by the rhythm of it all, the beauty of the words, the magic of its verses. Definitely worked very well for me.
But my favorite part was undoubtedly its story. The tale of King Xau is an inspiring one—in a conversation with Mary Soon Lee, she said people told her everyone is too kind in this book, and this is a sensible statement: nearly every poem, every moment, every fragment of this is saturated with kindness.
King Xau himself is the biggest reason for this: he exudes kindliness with every waking breath! It’s a contagious kind of thing, elevating him very quickly to a legendary status, with many tiny examples of his warmth and gentleness. Yet it never feels naïve—he suffers consequences, the good moments feel well-earned, he becomes this strange mix of a very human person yet a figure of myth.
There are some other hints throughout this story of this being a somewhat mythic tale—we are sometimes unsure whether everything truly happened as it is depicted, or whether this is some cultures version of e.g. the Odyssey. At other moments it clearly “breaks the fourth wall”, mentioning stuff which happens but will not be remembered by the historians.
It’s a very interesting narrative device. I don’t think this story would work as a novel. Neither do I think this will at all appeal to those who cherish grimdark (though it certainly gets dark at times), people who believe all people are fundamentally evil, that lord-of-the-flies crowd.
But if you are one of those Becky Chambers-loving, hopeful people who look for the positive in humanity, if you are someone who wants to read something truly experimental, a kind of multicultural hopepunk story with Guy Gavriel Kay-level emotions… You will love this book as I did. You will cherish the characters, the words and the lyricism.
Highly recommend. One of my favorites of the year. I hope to reread this next year—slowly, perhaps a poem a day, daily invigoration....more
A decently written tale of xenobiology and the relationship between two different races. Had some big Xenogenesis vibes here. Classic "problematic" alA decently written tale of xenobiology and the relationship between two different races. Had some big Xenogenesis vibes here. Classic "problematic" alien/sociological horror as were used to from Butler. ...more
OGRES is an interesting story and reminded me in some ways of Tchaikovsky’s previous novella, Elder Race. Its most distinct and notable feature is proOGRES is an interesting story and reminded me in some ways of Tchaikovsky’s previous novella, Elder Race. Its most distinct and notable feature is probably the second person POV. It’s executed well here.
It’s an expected book in times of CRISPR. This book asks many of the big ethical questions regarding the future of genetic modification, mainly The Big Question: what’s the limit? When we finally have the tools and means to modify and improve ourselves, where do improvements stop, and complete alterations begin? Will we ever be able to say “…and we’re done”, or just keep trying to create a “better” human?
It’s not a particularly new question, and it will get asked even more in the coming decades. For that ethical aspect alone, this is well worth reading. But another part of this novella I really liked is the similarity with Elder Race I was talking about earlier. Just like in that story, Ogres has a sort of “two perspectives” thing going on, with pseudo-medieval people living in ignorance of their futuristic dystopian overlords. It’s a trope (fantasy from one perspective vs sci-fi from the other perspective) I’ll never get tired of.
Apart from that, it’s a classic tale of starting a revolution, rebelling against your oppression, and how revolutions can snowball into something that changes society.
It’s no Elder Race (easily one of my favourite of Tchaikovsky’s novellas), but it’s a fun and thought-provoking story that juggles quite a few topics and unconventional structural choices in a well-balanced way. Recommended!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
The stories of C.S.E. Cooney mostly excel in atmosphere. They have a certain feeling to them that I haven’t found in many other authors, which slowly The stories of C.S.E. Cooney mostly excel in atmosphere. They have a certain feeling to them that I haven’t found in many other authors, which slowly draws you in, with characters that feel like fairytale figures yet fully formed people of their own. Sometimes I get a bit lost in the story, but for the most part they’re enjoyable reads.
Individual reviews for each story:
The Breaker Queen (2/5)
This one was almost a DNF. Could not wrap my head around the story! I didn’t really understand what was going on anymore halfway through and honestly couldn’t bring myself to care enough to try. While I loved the prose, I wasn’t really reading the actual story, and had to power through to finish it. Maybe a re-read is in order, one day.
The Two Paupers (4/5)
After almost DNF-ing this collection, this story was an absolute joy to read straight from the start. It’s a delightful mythopoeic story filled with mystery, intrigue and romance culminating in a fantastic tale of artists and magic. The imagery in this story is beautiful.
Salissay’s Laundries (3.5/5)
This one was quite interesting; a journalist tries to infiltrate some kind of institution in an attempt to essentially prove magic exists. She’s very sceptical and gets up to a bunch of trouble. Just like the others, it’s kind of a slow burn, not much going on, and it had a bit of a middle drag for me.
Longergreen (4/5)
A very sweet story on grieving and a bit of interesting worldbuilding. Becomes much more meaningful after having read some of the previous stories in this collection. I especially liked how it interwove a historical event in the world with the personal story of some characters we got to know earlier.
Susurra to the Moon (3.5/5)
This was a very quick and cute absurd little short story. What I really like about C.S.E’s stories is how they are very much myths, with fairytale logic, yet they incorporate hard terms of science, referring to decidedly “real” organisations and facts of science, within this illogical feeling world. It’s an interesting paradox, and it works quite well.
Average rating: 3.4, rounded down to 3.
Disclaimer: I receive an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Pretty interesting letter-turned-eulogy to some kind of future genius.
DAverage: 3.43, rounded down to 3.
Individual ratings:
The Nation of the sick - 3
Pretty interesting letter-turned-eulogy to some kind of future genius.
Different People - 3.5
Parallel universes are real, invented by a group of people who accidentally ended their own universe. A woman from the other universe appears and proclaims to be his wife from the other world, and they soon fall in come. Quickly, he starts to compare himself to his other self, and things continue from there...
Inselberg - 3
Reminded me of the tour guy friend from Downward to Earth. Nothing special.
Do Nothing - 3.5
Interesting piece on freedom. As apocalyopse nears, there's a simple choice: either die with the rest on Earth, or become a bodiless being in space. Is survival of our human race worth leaving behind everything material?
A Tableau of Things That Are - 4.5
Great stuff. Criminals don't get sentenced to jail but instead become a statue. Our protagonist 'awakens' from a 10-year statue sentence, remaining a man of stone. His stint has permanently changed him.
Wolf Tones - 3
Sad to say this one lost me a little bit. Pretty good prose, but I have no idea what it was actually about, besides some superficial story beats. But it definitely had a very wintery vibe!
When You Die on the Radio - 3.5
A strong story about grief, being (un)able to come to terms with a loved one passing, and sacrificing for the sake of others. A radio that allows you to help people in need, at a terrible cost...
How to Become a Witch-Queen - 3.5
Retelling/sequel of Snow White with a feminist twist. Classic Theodora Goss....more
Reviews/ratings for the individual stories. Going to start keeping this so I have a nice overview of which stories I liked for the hugos/nebulas/... :Reviews/ratings for the individual stories. Going to start keeping this so I have a nice overview of which stories I liked for the hugos/nebulas/... :
The story isn't the story - 3.5
A gentle story that reminded me of some of Octavia Butler's work. Felt like more could've been done with, but still a decent story.
For want of milk - 3
Quick and fun one that feels like a fairytale turned into modern day story.
The stop after the last station - 4
A typical mid-20s something protagonist who's seemingly lost in life wants to travel to "the stop after the last station" in an attempt to regain a sense of purpose in life. Captivating.
Inas spark - 4
Haven't been the biggest fan of Kowals unfortunately but this was more than solid. A girl mage has to go on a quest with an unconventional companion. Will she pass the test and become one of the king's mages?
For all those who sheltered here - 4.5
Fantastic! We see the world through the eyes of a tree. Human rituals and actions are recontexualised from a new perspective. Great prose.
White rose, red rose - 3
Basically a man reflecting on fighting undead people. Not bad, I suppose, but didn't really do it for me.
The north pole workshops -3
Transcript of a north pole customer support call. Certainly didn't go where I was expecting it to.
Loving the old wounds -3.5
Funny and interesting essay on the failed Disney film The Black Cauldron.
Scenes from the apocalypse - 3.5
A sadly all too common tale of the increased racism towards Asians in the US since the pandemic.
Pro wrestling is fake - 3.5
Pro wrestler talks about why they think it's important for people to know it's all fake, and how masculine invincibility is slowly but finally dying off in the pro wrestling world. I'd never thought about this, I guess, so it's interesting enough juist because of that.
What you might have missed - 3
An essay on why inclusivity matters in fiction, as well as reading works from marginalised people, and different perspectives than your own.
The precarious now - 2
Not sure what to think of this. Basically a writer lamenting how hard it is to predict the near-future.
The matter of cloud -
A very in-depth interview with a mostly forgotten writer who has now luckily been brought to my attention. Very eloquent and fascinating. I skimmed some of it since it went in detail about some of the books, but this sounds like a writer worth checking out for sure.
Post massacre psyche evaluation
tl;dr ACAB! Appreciate the message but didn't like the execution.
The burning river
Cute!
Confessions of a spaceport ai - 4
Funny little poem. Always love Mary Soon Lee, her stuff is always simple yet never feels like Kaur-esque platitudes.
Not my favorite type of fairytale retelling... Just a bit too many pop culture references and meta-ness. Feels like the type of stuff you'd read on WaNot my favorite type of fairytale retelling... Just a bit too many pop culture references and meta-ness. Feels like the type of stuff you'd read on Wattpad. It's a pass for me....more
Definitely the most awkward and undeveloped novel of Butler. Many themes and story beats in this book were later executed better in her later works (mDefinitely the most awkward and undeveloped novel of Butler. Many themes and story beats in this book were later executed better in her later works (most clearly in the Lilith's Brood trilogy). Just like Wild Seed and Mind of my Mind, this book is very much about a broken, abusive relationship. In this specific case, it feels a little too problematic, which is probably why Butler ended up pulling the book out of print... But it's still a decent read, well worth reading for completionists....more
This is a very beautifully written fairytale. It was my first Marillier, and it did not disappoint. An intriguing story of the fae, clearly feminist iThis is a very beautifully written fairytale. It was my first Marillier, and it did not disappoint. An intriguing story of the fae, clearly feminist in nature, tightly plotted. There were a few lesser parts-- it's clearly young adult, for one, lacking in character depth and sometimes a bit too unsubtle when it came to villains, character motivations, and so on. But then it is a fairytale, isn't it?
The prose was good but nothing amazing. I read her with Patricia McKillip in mind, since McKillip's most common cover collaborator also made the cover for this book, and because they obviously write very similar type of stories, but I found Marillier to be no match for McKillip's beautiful, flowery language.
This was so good! Of all the books I've read, this is the most Calvino-esque. An imaginative work that doesn't waste any words. This was so good! Of all the books I've read, this is the most Calvino-esque. An imaginative work that doesn't waste any words. ...more
This is a great, breezy read. Complex characters in a well-developed world. Some interesting stuff about revolution aThanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
This is a great, breezy read. Complex characters in a well-developed world. Some interesting stuff about revolution and colonialism here. Loved the main character! Really hope Elliott returns to this world....more
This is my second Mohamed novella, and while I liked the other one much more, this was a quick and fun read! A bit stream-of-consciousness, a bit femaThis is my second Mohamed novella, and while I liked the other one much more, this was a quick and fun read! A bit stream-of-consciousness, a bit female empowerment, power imbalance, and above all, really great prose!
The prose is the highlight of this book, almost to its detriment. It reminded me of some of Patricia McKillip’s more flowery books: you fall in love with the way the sentences flow and can’t help but feel impressed by the way things are worded, but sometimes you just get lost in the language and forget about the story. Is that a valid complaint? The prose is *too* good?
It does its job in so few pages, managing to tell a proper story. Feels like the author has more stories to tell in this world, however. For a novella (more of a novelette, really), there was a fairly big focus on worldbuilding.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley (many thanks), but these are my honest thoughts....more
Bit of a weird one. Never really felt like it lived up to its potential. Really enjoyed some parts, struggled at others... Something just felt off aboBit of a weird one. Never really felt like it lived up to its potential. Really enjoyed some parts, struggled at others... Something just felt off about it. Still, it's a fairly interesting premise and especially the first half or so of the novel really held my attention. After that... It felt like the plot got a bit stretched, questions were never answered, worldbuilding was unsatisfying and just too vague to really make me feel for the plot.
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