![]() |
Now | 2023 | Previous | Articles | Road Essays | Road Reviews | Author | Black Authors | Title | Source | Age | Genre | Series | Format | Inclusivity | LGBTA | Portfolio | Artwork | WIP |
|
Common Bonds: 08/24/21
Common Bonds edited by Claudie Arseneault is a collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories populated with asexual and aromantic characters. There are also trans characters and same sex relationships. The settings too are some of the most imaginative I've seen. Fantasy tropes are reworked into a modern, technological setting, where Princes match with Princesses who need rescuing via the Cinder app (and the rescuer/rescuee isn't gendered or romantic). There are werewolves who plan camping trips (including making s'mores) once a month. The book opens with the best pun, "The Aromatic Lovers." Here is a world where gender is expressed through scents. An agender/aromantic character finds a perfume maker who can make a scent that doesn't convey a gender. He also makes a balm to mask everyone else's scent. There are also poems interspersed with the stories. Five stars Comments (0) |