8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
mostly bland, predictable, and Young Adult, July 10, 2005
This review is from: Gateways (Paperback)
There are OK stories in here, some by excellent authors. There are a couple of stories that I didn't finish bothering to read. And there are *many* stories that are Young Adult/teenager "coming of age" stories, at a level of predictability that gets boring after a while. I wouldn't call this book a waste of money - it was more readable than not - but it was a disappointment compared to what the theme could have led to.
A few highlights and "lowlights" for consideration:
"The Two Sheckleys" - Robert Sheckley got asked to write a story for this anthology, and wrote a parody of himself writing a story, tossing in every cliché he could. There are funny moments, but it's not nearly as funny as he thinks it is, and sometimes a clear note of contempt for the whole concept leaks through.
"Postcards" by Rebecca Moesta - one of the completely predictable teenage themed and teenage aimed stories.
"The Trigger" - another predictable coming-of-age story, where the note of science fiction - a sudden disappearance to another, unexplained world - is completely incidental; the same story could have been written without any SF at all, and made the same point. Rich parents try to provide daughter with everything that money can buy; daughter rebels. It's not badly done, but it's not really science fiction/fantasy, either, since the story would be exactly the same without the other world.
"Spring Break" - another Young Adult story, but this one is silly enough to actually be funny. I enjoyed it. Lightweight, no point, teenage protagonists - but very funny.
"By The Rules" - another Young Adult story, with college protagonists engaged in RPGs, but a slightly different plot from standard, this was enjoyable, if predictable (again) - and I suppose a lot of adults who are still RP-ers would enjoy the comeuppance given to someone who always takes the same, completely predictable, role, and who always insists on running the game.
"Circle of Compassion" - this one I really liked. A war story, no teenagers, an unusual solution to a challenge, and an ending that hints that this may become part of a larger novel or a series set in the universe it occurs in. Asian historical setting instead of teenage America a nice change of pace.
"The Doorway in Stephensons Store" (the lack of apostrophe is deliberate) - a nice story, jump-back-in-your-own-timeline theme, nice ending.
Okay, that's a sampling. There are 19 stories in all; you might find that you liked more of them than I did, and possibly you are younger than I am and so the many coming-of-age stories are of more interest. As an alleged grown-up, I'd say: buy this one, read through it quickly, and plan to give it to a science-fiction reading teenager of your acquaintance thereafter, rather than keeping it for your permanent collection.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
