The reviewer enjoyed 'Exhalation' by Ted Chiang, praising several short stories for their remarkable narratives and thought-provoking themes, though they were slightly disappointed by the ending of one story. They also appreciated 'The Raven Tower' by Ann Leckie, finding it enjoyable and recommending it highly, especially for its fantasy elements and the author's improving skills.
The reviewer had high expectations for 'Exhalation' by Ted Chiang, having loved his previous work. They found several stories in the collection to be quite remarkable, such as 'The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate' and 'Exhalation', which they particularly enjoyed for their unique narratives and deep themes. However, they were a bit disappointed by the ending of 'The Lifecycle of Software Objects'. Overall, they felt the collection was excellent and thought-provoking. For 'The Raven Tower' by Ann Leckie, the reviewer was intrigued by the shift to fantasy from the author's previous space operas. They found the book to be the most enjoyable of Leckie's works so far, recommending it highly and wishing they had read it as a child. The reviewer appreciated the author's growth and the book's engaging fantasy elements.
Quick quotes
Some of the short stories are quite remarkable.
In this fantastical and elegant collection, Ted Chiang wrestles with the oldest questions on earth: What is the nature of the universe? What does it mean to be human?
While it is not as groundbreaking as some of her previous work, this is by far the most enjoyable.