I think my subconscious saved the best short stories for last. I was very happy with the results of these last few stories and how they relate to the fight against climate change. These authors wrote beautifully about the aspects of what could happen and how the world can overcome even the harshest of changes.
That Creeping Sensation by Alan Dean Foster (pg. 229)
Some people know well the shivers that tingle down your spine when you see a bug - any bug. Imagine if they were bigger.
Foster explores what happens if the Earth happens to 'fix' itself with climate change. How? Basically an Amazon rebirth.
I enjoyed how in just 11 pages the astonishment I had about how the ferns and other small plans of the Amazon started to regrow and begin producing more oxygen. In an overabundance of oxygen comes little creatures adapting to it and growing big.
The story follows a sergeant of the Army who essentially became a bug exterminator in these times as simple bees are now six inches long. She goes on numerous exterminations in one day that had to do with bugs in a suit fit to not allow stingers to penetrate the skin as well as the correct percentage of oxygen for a human's capacity. That creeping sensation? It concludes with wondering what else is adapting.
Entanglement by Vandana Sign (pg. 269)
This story was so intriguing to read. First of all, it was 5 shorter stories in one but they all connected. It's slowly revealed over time that they are part of an experiment through a future watch. The experiment? Designed by a man to connect people to battle loneliness.
The stories follow different people of all backgrounds and ages in a fight with and against global warming either through scientific, weather, or artistic means. While most of the individuals may not realize they are a part of the experiment (missed a notification or just a surprise), they can hear each other in their moments of need or great triumphs.
The Smog Society by Chen Qiufan (pg. 419)
Smog has taken over the world to the point where people must wear ventilators. With an elderly man wants everything to go back to 'normal', he joins a group to record smog levels.
During the short amount of time the story follows him, he remembers, mourns, and regrets missing his deceased wife. From what? It is unclear but considering his need and drive to find a way to help the government battle the smog, it is assumed it is either due to old age or the quick influx of smog in the area they lived in.
The Tamarisk Hunter by Paolo Bacigalupi (pg. 511)
When California deals with a water shortage, they take water away from surrounding states and bring it 'home'.
The story follows a "water tick" as he navigates harvesting, cutting, and killing tamarisk plants in exchange for water. Doing what he can to survive in a new desert, he flows through his days wondering what comes next.
When the national guard of his state approaches him, he is suspicious about what may happen to him for his "crimes" for harvesting and replanting the very thing that brings a little money and water - but that's not why they come.
After a revelation that he may need to move, he becomes impartial to the idea as he won't know when, where, or how much money he would make for his family.
Mitigation by Tobias Buckell & Karl Schroeder (pg. 527)
What a wonderful time to be alive when the ice caps have melted and a revolution needs rare seeds.
A mafia man hires a "trusted" guy to extract rare seed DNA with a scientist at the Seed Vault. Besides money, this man risks his life to go to the Vault with this scientist where she has to deposit another type of seed. While grinding away the seeds that get uploaded on his computer to be sent out, he gets caught by the scientist who ends up helping him with his mission.
When the revolution comes to the Vault (as the man ran out of time), they are nearly caught with the DNA but they turn away when they find the grinded-up seeds.
It was rough and he thought it didn't work, but the scientist uploaded it to the mafia and stole the money that was supposed to be his and he was okay with it, returning to the original mafia man for work.
What's next?
I had the privilege to obtain an ARC of Eris of Draven Aurora through Reedsy Discovery for review.
I have plenty of plans for the next few weeks including more book reivews, thoughts on the writing industry, and interviews with authors and editors!
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