The Clan Chronicles: Tales From Plexis
{4.5/5} “W’harton paused. ‘I think I parse your meaning. My kin had plans for me, too. But Plexis is a mix of strange and familiar.’ He upped his head back, his rounded tongue licking the last droplets of stew from the bowl. ‘You might find a home there yet.'” (from “The Stars Do Not Dream” by Amanda Sun)
The Clan Chronicles: Tales From Plexis edited by Julie E. Czerneda, published in 2018
When Sira and Morgan bring a load of truffles for Huido on Plexis, the truffles are slapped with a new tax they can’t afford. When a Human accuses Huido of stealing some data, a recipe Huido wants, Huido decides to investigate for himself. A young girl who works for the Facilitator finds out who ordered her parents killed and why. A Mocsla who uses smells to communicate changes himself to impress his ex-girlfriend.
If you’re a fan of this universe, you’ll want to read this anthology. All the stories fit very well into the theme.
There are stories about Sector Chief Bowman, Terk and ‘Whix, Barac’s brother Kurr, and kids who want to rescue animals from being killed in a fireworks-like display.
There are clever explanations for things we learned before, in the novels. The funniest part is in “The Rainbow Collection” by Nathan Azinger where a Human is looking to by a balloon for a baby shower from an alien and he’s choosing between ones that say “Felicitous Spawning” and “Condolences on your Parasite.”
Authors include Fiona Patton, Tanya Huff, Karina Sumner-Smith, and Julie E. Czerneda.
I’ve read 19 novels by Czerneda and this is the 1st anthology I’ve read that she’s edited. I previously reviewed To Guard Against the Dark.