This is a compilation of short stories by black authors.

The tales take place over several time periods, which is pretty unique.
Covering a multitude of different styles and messages from pieces across different years, “Black Sci-Fi Short Stories" investigates superpowers, cliques loving a puzzling sphere, the end times, the casualties of racial oppression and a lot more.

Some stories are shorter, while others were longer.
However, all in all, this is a book that has many well-rounded messages and left me happy after finishing it up.

I started to read this book, but found myself to become very bored with the short stories. They were very repetitive and were a lot more condescending than I thought they would be.

Highlighting black voices with an excellent variety of futuristic storytelling, so many different options to choose from here.

Fans of Sci-Fi short stories should definitely have this on their radar.

Beautiful cover and beautifully constructed short stories from some amazingly talented authors. One that you could dip into time and time again.

This collection aas released on June 15th 2021. Tremendously worth it. As a reader I jumpled into this book without a sci-fi repertoir, so I thought it'd be a bit harsh, but it went in so smoothly, it grabbed my interest in a way that little to no titles had done during that time.

Steampunkish, who-done-it, post apocalyptic, mad scientists... It is all here and more, way more.

The way all these 20-ish stories remain independent yet they intertwine throughout their topics and the social reflection. Definetely I'mma keep track of some (if not many) of the authors featured in this anthology. Black sci-fi and afrofuturism will become a must in my reading plans.

The minute I saw Temi Oh was involved with this project, I had a good feeling about it - something that proved correct when I dug into the collection.

Like all short story collections, there were some stories I loved that will stay with me for a long time, some I really enjoyed, and one or two that weren't really my cup of tea, but that were still really well-written. Which stories are which would very much depend on who's doing the reading, I think.

I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a fresh perspective on sci-fi.

I’m going to put my hands up here and preface this with – most of my criticisms of this collection come from the fact I’m not really the target audience for this. And that’s fine. Because I know some people will see the things I disliked, and discover this is the exact type of anthology they’ve been looking for.

Black Sci-Fi Short Stories is not quite what it says on the tin. The anthology spans over one hundred years of writing, and many of the older stories tackled the same sort of themes. For these, the writing is a touch difficult unless you tend to enjoy that sort of 19th Century writing anyway. They’re interesting in so much as their historical contexts, but it felt odd to include novella and even novel length tales in an anthology specifically labelled as ‘Short Stories’. They were just a bit too lengthy for what I look for when reading an anthology, and I found myself wishing some of them would hurry up and end. Yet a lot of these older ones also end really abruptly, but maybe that was the style of the times?

This anthology feels like it could have benefitted from maybe placing the stories in chronological order, to really show the progression of speculative fiction.

This was the other tiny criticism I had – the anthology should probably have been Black Speculative Fiction Stories. A few, especially the earlier stories, were more in the Fantasy genre than Sci-Fi.

But – this anthology is still definitely worth it. Not just for the historical context and the writing that came before the twenty-first century, but because for every usually-too-long-not-short story I read, I read more that were absolutely bloody brilliant. Setting aside the older works, there were a few more modern stories I really liked.

“Space Traitors” by Walidah Imarisha notes that it is in conversation with Derrick Bell’s “Space Traders”. Not being familiar with Bell or his story, I looked online and found out a bit about it before delving into this one. It was worth it. Aliens arrive and promise to look after those who have suffered, as long as they join them and help those on other planets. A sort of intergalactic community action group. The language here was really cleverly handled, and for a story that is only a few short pages, it says a lot.

“The Line of Demarcation” by Patty Nicole Johnson is hauntingly powerful. A warehouse worker gives her limbs to the company, in exchange for her sister’s insulin. It’s a reminder of the direction we’re heading down, as we ignore the awful working conditions faced by many. Every piece of tech she gets makes her faster at her job, but who truly benefits in this system?

“The Comet” stands out as something off its time, but with themes that echo in the modern day, as humanity is wiped out, leaving only a Black man and wealthy white woman. K Tempest Bradford’s “Elan Vital” was moving and one that served to really get under the skin. The imagery here is striking, and really sits with you for a good while. “The Regression Test” by Wole Talabi is excellent with some really brilliant ideas.

All of the stories deserve mentions for one reason or another. Even the ones I didn’t particularly enjoy have a lot of merit, and give a deeper understanding of what was going on during those time periods and how these writers were either looking towards the future or trying to make sense of the present.

Overall this is one of those anthologies you kind of have to really sit with and consider, but if you’re a fan of speculative fiction this is without a doubt worth your time.

I have a lot of love for this collection of short stories. I really enjoyed the bulk of them, they were enthralling and so well written.

Definitely one for fans of short story collections

I really liked this book. I'm just a beginner to Sci-Fi and hearing from black voices telling their sci-fi story was refreshing. Very intentional and poignant

Dystopia, apocalypse, gene-splicing, cloning and colonization are explored here by new authors and combined with proto-sci-fi and speculative writing of an older tradition (by W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin R. Delany, Sutton E. Griggs, Pauline Hopkins and Edward Johnson) whose first-hand experience of slavery and denial created their living dystopia.

With a foreword by Alex Award-winning novelist Temi Oh, an introduction by Dr. Sandra M. Grayson, author of Visions of the Third Millennium: Black Science Fiction Novelists Write the Future (2003), and invaluable promotion and editorial support from Tia Ross and the Black Writers Collective and more, this latest offering in the Flame Tree Gothic fantasy series focuses on an area of science fiction which has not received the attention it deserves. Many of the themes in Sci-fi reveal the world as it is to others, show us how to improve it, and give voice to the many different expressions of a future for humankind.

The Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.- Goodreads

[Short Review for short stories]

Short stories are the biggest risk a writer or editor can take. I say that because they are such a hit or miss. They can either be boring, exciting, can leave you with a satisfied feeling or an unsatisfied one. The story can feel unfished or it can feel as if you read a 40 chapter book. I say these things because this short story collection although filled with amazing Black writers didn't hit the sci-fi spot as I would have hoped.

The stories were drawn out and lacked the colorful language that I would normally see in sci-fi. Some stories were very subtle and didn't do a whole lot for the imagination. I had to look for the science fiction, which was disappointing.

Overall, it was a eh. I expected better more so because it is listed as science fiction as opposed to it being a short story.

2 Pickles

A collection of about 20 short stories and novellas from a variety of Black speculative fiction authors, both contemporary and several older stories that were included due to their importance to the development of the genre. I found a couple of these historical contributions hard to get through in places, particularly the novella length ones, but this was at least in part due to my lack of familiarity with the writing style of the authors, which was quite distinct from other books I have read from that era. One of the older stories I did enjoy was called "Of One Blood" written by Pauline Hopkins - although it was a bit melodramatic in places I enjoyed the gothic elements and the Wakandan vibe. Of the contemporary stories, stand out contributions for me included: "The Orb" by Tara Campbell, which was incredibly creepy and atmospheric; "Elan Vital" by Tempest Bradford, which had a marvellous concept and was written in a beautifully emotive way; and "Suffering Inside, But Still I Soar" by Sylvie Soul, which was a challenging take on superhero narratives. Although I struggled with some of the older stories, there were none that I really disliked and I very much enjoyed the majority of these stories and would look out for more from these authors.

I loved all the sci-fi stories in this collection, each one was so well done and the characters were interesting. It was a well done collection and I enjoyed reading this.

I felt that this book, for the bigger part, was hard to focus on and hard to understand. I did not have a good time reading it

BLACK SCI-FI SHORT STORIES – Anthology – Recommend!

‘Dystopia, apocalypse, gene-splicing, cloning and colonization are explored here by new authors and combined with proto-sci-fi and speculative writing of an older tradition (by W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin R. Delany, Sutton E. Griggs, Pauline Hopkins and Edward Johnson) whose first-hand experience of slavery and denial created their living dystopia.’

Those That Stood Out To Me:

‘An Empty, Hollow Interview’ – by James Beamon

‘Élan Vital’ - by K. Tempest Bradford

‘The Floating City of Pengimbang’ – by Michelle F. Goddard

‘The New Colossuses’ – by Harambee K. Grey-Sun

‘Imperium in Imperio’ – by Sutton E. Griggs [This Book Was Published In 1899 - Historical/Social Science Fiction]

‘Of One Blood: Or, The Hidden Self’ – by Pauline Hopkins – [Published in 1902-1903]

‘Space Traitors’ – by Walidah Imarisha – ‘In conversation with Derrick Bell’s short story ‘Space Traders’.’ [Published 1992]

‘The Line of Demarcation’ – by Patty Nicole Johnson

‘e-race’ – by Russell Nichols

‘Giant Steps’ – by Russell Nichols

‘You May Run On’ – by Megan Pindling

‘The Pox Party’ – by Lyle Stiles

Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eGalley of BLACK SCI-FI SHORT STORIES in the request for an honest review.

Black Sci-Fi Stories features a collection of short stories from various authors. The collection of stories vary across different time periods from the past as well as into thefuture, but what makes the stories so interesting is the inclusion of microaggressions. Each of the stories vary in length where some are only a couple of pages and others are a little bit lengthier, so you truly get variety in what you're with this collection of stories. Each one was unique, so I would recommend this book to others as well.

This is a compilation of short stories by black authors. The tale's settings waver a sketch of time- from the times of subjugation and abuse to superheroes and the far-off future. Most sections are short stories, however, three are more similar to novella length. All accounts are elegantly composed. A few stories stand apart to me for an assortment of reasons. Two stories are outstanding as a result of their furious, melodious yet undaunted, exposition, which ends up highlighting the relationship of two dark females constrained into servitude.

I don’t want to spoil much about the stories, so go ahead and read the book.

With a wide scope of composing styles and messages from pieces across different years and essayists, “Black Sci-Fi Short Stories” investigates superpowers, cliques loving a puzzling sphere, the end times, vivifying the dead, outsiders acting the hero of casualties of racial oppression, thus, such a great deal more. The narratives fluctuate long, with one short story wrapping up in 3 pages while another takes up 20, yet the topics are very interesting to read. This book leaves a blend of race-focused messages close by stories that don’t specify race at all. There are various occasions I completed a story and shut the book to absorb everything.

I loved reading this book and this book is a short and fast read. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

First, let's do some math. This book contains 20 stories. Therefore each book should take up ~5% of the book. Meanwhile in reality, we have 2 stories that take up 20% each and one that takes up 22%. Meaning that 3 stories take up 62% of the book! That is way too much! And I do understand that these stories are historical, but with this length they're not really short stories, they're novellas! And there were historical short stories that were actually short stories, or were longer but only short fragments were included. But I really, really don't see the purpose of including those 3 novellas in a short story collection.

Other than that, most of the actual short stories were very interesting and I did enjoy them.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Flame Tree Publications for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
This was an interesting concept but unfortunately, I discovered that I am not a fan of short stories. Someone who likes this format, as well as sci-fi will probably devour this.

Anthology rate: 2.5⭐

This anthology caught my attention due to the combination of themes such as; apocalyptic worlds and dystopia and biotechnology integration; cloning, etc. In a nutshell, everything I like. As in every anthology, I'll make a short review for each story mentioning what I liked and what didn't work for me.

Personally, I didn't like this anthology so much, I thought it would have a more futuristic approach but it wasn't like that, also the sci-fi theme was almost non-existent.

An Empty, Hollow Interview by James Beamon
3⭐
It was a good take on genetic recombination but the story was a little boring, it would be interesting to read a book on that subject because of the potential it has. Being a short story it's obvious that the concept will be difficult to express, however, I think the goal was clearly understood.

The Comet by W.E.B. Du Bois
1⭐
The plot sounded interesting but it was just confusing, a man and a woman are the only ones in New York after a paranormal phenomenon happened and they all disappeared, honestly the story didn't have a specific objective and it was difficult to follow, especially that ending ruined it.

Élan Vital by K. Tempest Bradford
4⭐
This story was very interesting, it's about how in the future you can revive the dead to be with them a little more, of course, it's not permanent and has its limits, our protagonist risks them to talk to her mother who died of cancer, the story is very cute and sad, I really liked especially the ending, I would love to read more about this world.

The Orb by Tara Campbell
DNF
The start was a bit slow and it couldn't grab my attention.

Blake, or The Huts of America by Martin R. Delany
DNF
I read till 50% and let me tell you that this story is very long, the plot is interesting but it didn't catch my attention, also the writing was strange given the time it takes place. I can personally see many people liking this story but it wasn't for me.

The Floating City of Pengimbang by Michelle F. Goddard
3⭐
The story was interesting and the world was creative, but I felt that it didn't have a very clear objective, even so, it was a good story that I would like to see more developed definitely.

The New Colossuses by Harambee K. Gray-Sun
2⭐
This was a rare story in all the expressions of the word, I feel like it was difficult to understand. At first, it grabbed me because the beginning was incredible but as I read the story it progressed quite peculiarly (weird), I feel that the length was very short and therefore it wasn't easy to handle.

Imperium in Empire by Sutton E. Griggs
2.5⭐
Another longer story than I expected, I personally didn't like it, because it's rare that I like historical plots, but the message and the writing are very good and create a harmonious story that is worth reading. I must say that it has many exhausting descriptions, we don't need to know every detail of a person or a room, that made me quite stressed especially at the beginning.

Seven Thieves by Emmalia Harrington
1⭐
Honestly, it was very boring and I didn't have a specific objective, the writing was confusing just like the plot.

Of One Blood Or, The Hidden Self by Pauline Hopkins
3.5⭐
The plot was interesting, it had a bit of everything, the characters are charming and the theme is very good, I really liked it. This is another of the long stories in the book, so it's easy to connect with the story and get into it.

Space Traitors by Walidah Imarisha
2⭐
This cannot be a more American book because it would be impossible, I love the subject of aliens and it caught my attention, but like the American society immediately stopped being science fiction and became something political. It had a lot of potentials and given the way it ended I suppose it will be a book, I'm honestly not interested in reading it.

Seven Thieves by Emmalia Harrington
1⭐
It was honestly very boring and it didn't have a specific objective, the writing was confusing just like the plot.

Of One Blood Or, The Hidden Self by Pauline Hopkins
3.5⭐
The plot was interesting, it had a bit of everything, the characters were charming and the theme was very good, I really liked it. This is another of the long stories in the book, so it's easy to connect with the story and get into it.

Space Traitors by Walidah Imarisha
2⭐
This cannot be a more American book because it would be impossible, I love the subject of aliens and it caught my attention, but like the American society immediately stopped being science fiction and became political, way too political. It had a lot of potentials and given the way it ended I suppose it will be a book, that I'm honestly not interested in reading it.

The Line of Demarcation by Patty Nicole Johnson
2⭐
I think this is the beginning of a book as a preview, it caught me but it was very fast and, although the world and plot sound very interesting they aren't explained properly, I would have to read a book about it to give a final opinion.

Light Ahead for the Negro by Edward Johnson
DNF.
It failed to catch my attention and it was boring, this is another of the long stories in the anthology.

e-race by Russell Nichols
1⭐
The world sounds interesting but the writing was kind of weird in some instances. The plot was boring and the main character too obnoxious, I really didn't like it.

Giant Steps by Russell Nichols
2⭐
This story was better than the previous one, but again the writing is somewhat strange and it was quite confusing, I liked the main character more but I didn't feel that it had a specific objective.

Almost Too Good to Be True by Temi Oh
2.5⭐
The story is kind of cute, but it doesn't have a specific purpose and the writing is kind of weird, it caught me but it could have been better.

You May Run On by Megan Pindling
2.5⭐
This was the most interesting story in terms of subject matter, but the writing was a bit odd in some instances. Personally, I found it boring and at first it didn't have a clear objective.

Suffering Inside, But Still I Soar by Sylvie Soul
3⭐
I think this is the plot that has entertained me the most and that it finally follows the sci-fi theme. Although unfortunately, the writing was horrible and the protagonist not pleasant.

My thanks to all the authors, Flame Tree Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to get this ARC for an unbiased review.

Sci-Fi... maybe, but with most of the stories centered around slavery, ownership or oppression the sci-fi feel was missing. Of the shorts that did have a good concept in the wide realm of sci-fi, the endings didn't stick. Many, if not most, left me wondering what happened. Why did the story just stop without conclusion.
I had hoped to find something great here. I love Sci-Fi and rarely pay attention to race, nationality or gender or the authors. I just want a good stories, regardless of who writes them.