Bogi Takács

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. This is the second collection of short stories from Bogi Takács, and I have loved them both. Bogi describes erself as a Hungarian Jewish agender trans person, and all of those facets are well reflected in eir stories. The scrutiny of strangers trying to decide what you are and if you belong here. Living in (and leaving) a place ripped apart by war. Jewish observance and gender. Community organizing and activism. Body modification and pain. Power and consent. These show more stories are generally in sci-fi settings with magical elements. Communicating with truly alien intelligences is also a theme. Probably my favorite story in the collection was "The First Interspecies Solidarity Fair and Parade," which takes place on an Earth that has been invaded by aliens three times. The first two waves were violent, and the third is a wave of refugees saying HOW DID YOU SURVIVE THOSE OTHER GUYS, CAN WE CRASH AT YOUR PLACE? But dealing with the scarcity mentality of rebuilding after war and how to build a new community.

Anyway, Bogi is amazing, as an author, an editor, and as a person. Follow em on social media if you are looking for more trans and intersex authors and books. As I recently shouted at a friend, BOGI IS AN INSTITUTION WHO NEEDS/DESERVES MORE FLOWERS. (And then Bogi sent me a link to a story e had recently published about transforming into an institution (well, a city)). show less

This concept! Speculative fiction and poetry celebrating scientists of marginalized genders! I should have known how much I would love this! I did some serious flailing over on BlueSky about how much I loved Leigh Harlen's story, "Singing Goblin Songs," which remains my favorite (mushrooms & moths! Non-binary MCs! Mentoring a young girl in science! Alien intelligence!) The collection also has trans scientists orbiting Venus! Speculative poetry! Guerrilla conservationists! Petting leeches! show more Like most anthologies, there were a few that didn't work for me, but overall I really adored this! show less

This has a kind of incomplete feel to it, with chapters—and sometimes even scenes—not seeming organically connected to each other. The characters also have that unfinished quality, reading more like a couple of traits stuck together instead of fully realized characters.

I do think the story is interesting and there's the potential for something really good, but I think it needs a rewrite to make it shine.

Received via NetGalley.

I enjoyed the breadth of experiences and worldviews, both human and inhuman. The science fiction and fantasy elements were well utilized to show expansive ways of being and understanding, from human-like AI to alien hive minds to the slow, strange plant-senses and aid the themes relating to communication and connection/alienation.
These stories were excellent at creating rich worlds and characters with the quick sketch provided by a short story, and it must be down to the care and interest show more in how all sorts of intersecting identities might interact and evolve in these environments. show less