Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Containing nearly all of the short stories spanning his decades-long career, plus four brand new tales, Shusterman’s body of work is well-known and has a little something for everyone. In his introduction, Shusterman explains that each piece has been revised to reflect relevant technology and evolving social change. This may be of interest to those already familiar with his oldest work, while remaining pertinent to new audiences. This cabinet of curiosities is organized by unifying themes, rather than chronological order, allowing readers to pick and choose which stories they’re most interested in. “Forces of Nature,” “I’m Not Myself Today,” and two new stories from the world of Scythe (2016)—under the descriptive banner “You Reap What You Sow”—are just some of the categories readers have to look forward to. With several adaptations of his work on the way and other stories on the horizon, Shusterman shows no signs of slowing down. This collection is a solid choice to dive into his sprawling catalog or revisit the classics of yesteryear, which remain as relevant as ever.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

More than three dozen tales—several of them previously unpublished—make up this varied short story collection of fantastical speculative fiction. From playful entries involving a malevolent Christmas tree or a hot tub–dwelling monster to more disturbing vignettes, such as one in which a boy, neglected by his VR-gaming–obsessed parents, is led to violence, these stories shift easily between goofiness and real terror. Grouped into seven sections that provide a loose thematic structure, some of the stories are short, punchy, and sweet, and others are expansive, immersive, and prickly with atmosphere. They’re unified by their overwhelming sense of the uncanny; they explore interesting philosophical and ethical questions but never take themselves too seriously. Most of the stories have appeared in other anthologies; a few are co-written, one with Terry Black and three with the author’s son Brendan Shusterman. The entries are distinctive and original, but the sheer length of this collection may make it better for dipping into than for a through-read. Two new stories set in the world of the Arc of a Scythe close out the book and are not to be missed by fans of that series. The final one is a witty and fascinating meta-interview that imagines its characters—including the artificial intelligence entity the Thunderhead—answering questions from a reporter and in turn putting questions to Shusterman himself. There’s some ethnic diversity among the characters. A thoroughly enjoyable arrangement of short fiction at once eerie, absurd, and thought-provoking.(Short stories. 13-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.