Title: Grey Goo Ticky Tack
Author: C M Weller
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: October 5, 2022
Genres: Science Fiction, LGBTQ+
Length: 10 pages
Source: I received a free copy from the author.
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb:
They thought they had invented a cure for all the world’s problems. It would mean the end of every source of complaint in society. Unfortunately, they were solving the wrong problem. Solving the people seen as the problem is not solving the problem at all.
Content Warning: Homophobia and ableism.
Review:
Just about everyone wants an easier life, but not everyone is willing or able to pay the cost of one.
The beginning caught me off guard due to how quickly people accepted the solution for all the world’s problems. I was expecting there to be more conflict in this section, but I soon understood why the author wrote it that way and thought their reasons made sense given some later plot twists that revealed more information about what the solution entailed and how it affected those who accepted it.
This feeling popped up again once or twice as I moved into the middle portion of the plot when I would normally expect to see conflicts become more pressing and characters more eager to solve their woes. In a world without problems, things must unfold in more creative ways that don’t always strictly adhere to the storytelling stages we’re all accustomed to. As someone who reads a lot of science fiction and speculative fiction, I applaud anyone who is willing to take these sorts of risks with these genres. It’s exactly what we need to keep both new and longtime fans engaged with the sorts of questions and ideas these genres explore.
What catapulted this tale firmly into five star territory for me was the final few sentences. They cleared up my lingering confusion and provided a plot twist that made me reevaluate everything I’d just learned about these characters and the solution to every one of humanity’s problems. If you are also a little confused earlier on, keep reading. That final scene was fantastic and couldn’t have wrapped everything up together in a more satisfying way.
Grey Goo Ticky Tack was an excellent example of why I love short stories so much.
This review makes me so curious about this book! I love that the author took risks with the storytelling and didn’t follow the typical plot structure. A plot twist that makes you reevaluate everything is always a win in my book. I’m adding this to my TBR list. Thanks for the great review!