I had a desire to explore George R. R. Martin's other literary genres.

Consequently, this novella, which is set in a futuristic, science fiction world, appeared to be an excellent starting point.

The opening of the story was quite powerful, and I was immediately drawn into the complex dynamics of the alien world.

Interestingly, this world seemed somewhat similar to ours, yet it had several crucial differences that added an element of intrigue.

However, as the story progressed into the middle, it took on a slightly creepy and cultish tone.

Regrettably, the ending was rather disappointing. It fizzled out without providing a satisfying explanation or revelation.

This left me feeling a bit let down after being so engaged in the earlier parts of the novella.

Overall, while the beginning had a lot of promise, the lackluster ending detracted from the overall experience.

I still plan to explore more of Martin's work in different genres, hoping to find a more fulfilling reading experience.

My problems with short stories are evident. The short story as a format almost never manages to convince me. Even when those stories come from the pen of some of my most highly regarded writers, I know it's something about me. I also prefer series to movies.

If I review the things that I always positively value in the novels that I like the most, the in-depth exploration of the character and the past of the main characters is always there and has a great influence. Therefore, it is logical that a format that, due to its very basic limitations, usually does not focus on the development of the characters, can never attract me too much.

Even Lya's song didn't seem at all wonderful to me, to be honest.

Note: 3/10

We already know that those of us who have read Game of Thrones that this man writes really well. What I didn't yet know were his science fiction stories.

This is an anthology that includes 8 short stories and a novelette (at least in the edition I have). Each one of them is very different from each other, although there are common themes, such as loneliness, the fear of the unknown, war, and despair.

We have stories about space tourism, post-apocalyptic worlds, alien religions, and interplanetary wars. I highlight the stories: "The Hero", "And Seven Times I Say: Thou Shalt Not Kill" and "The Black Darkness of the Tunnels". Although I liked all of them, I think these 3 stand out for questioning colonization and, obviously, the horror of war.

The only thing I hope is that he finally finishes GOT because I really like how this gentleman writes.

I have absolutely nothing else to say other than the fact that this book truly bored the sh!t out of me. It was such a tiresome and uninteresting read. I found myself constantly struggling to get through the pages, waiting for something exciting to happen. However, to be fair, there were a few lines within the book that I actually liked. These lines managed to catch my attention and bring a glimmer of hope that perhaps there was more to the story than met the eye. But unfortunately, those few lines were not enough to salvage the overall experience. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and captivating read.

3/5⭐️

I have to admit that it was really hard for me to finish it. I started it and then left it aside because I couldn't connect with it. After several months, I picked it up again and forced myself a bit to finish it until I got hooked on a story and started reading much faster. Although I couldn't connect with the longer stories, the short ones really hooked me! And the author's writing style is wonderful, very poetic I found. I put millions of post-its on it.

I think that for personal taste, some stories were not really my style and that's why I read it so slowly and got bored, but the rest of the stories I really liked. The worlds that this man created left my head spinning. Without a doubt, it is recommended for the fans of science fiction!

Relatos encantadores pero no imprescindibles. Me encantó el viaje pero no el final. The enchanting tales were truly captivating, but they were not essential. The journey itself was a source of great joy and excitement for me. However, the ending left something to be desired. It felt a bit rushed and perhaps not as fulfilling as I had hoped. Despite this, the overall experience was still wonderful. The beautiful scenery, the interesting people I met along the way, and the new experiences I had all made the trip worthwhile. I will always cherish the memories of this journey, even if the ending was not perfect.

This was an extremely good collection of early Martin stories.

The rather bizarre cover showcases a red sky that is filled with numerous floating mouths, seemingly ready for an existential Rocky Horror orgy. It's quite interesting to note that this cover surely predates the release of Rocky.

"With Morning Comes Mistfall" has always been among my very favorite short stories. There's just something about it that keeps drawing me in. I've also always had an inexplicable fondness for "Run to Starlight". The story with the titular name is also really great. It has its own unique charm and allure that makes it stand out within this collection.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for any fan of Martin's early works. It offers a diverse range of stories that are sure to captivate and engage the reader.

While all of the stories in this collection are good in their own way, A Song for Lya truly stands out as the main course. It is one of my absolute favorite sci-fi novellas or short stories. Ever since I first read it, it has been lodged firmly in my head, growing and evolving like a sentient blob. It has been consuming my thoughts and imagination for a whole decade now. The story's unique blend of science fiction elements, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes makes it a masterpiece. It takes the reader on a journey through a strange and wonderful world, filled with complex characters and mind-bending concepts. A Song for Lya is not just a story, but an experience that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.

A beautifully inventive title story explores the profound meaning of craving connection to others. I read it decades ago and found it impossible to forget. So much so that I had to obtain a paper copy.

The author masterfully crafts the creation of the hive mind, delving into the happiness it brings to those who adhere to it and the costs they incur. Additionally, he examines the price paid by those who love them and desire something different.

It is truly remarkable how this author can write with such finesse while also constructing a captivating plot. The story lingers in the mind, leaving a lasting impression and inviting readers to reflect on the complex nature of human connection and the choices we make in our pursuit of it.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in thought-provoking literature that explores the depths of the human psyche and the power of connection.

The morning fog descends, and with it, a collection of stories that offer a diverse range of perspectives and emotions. "La neblina se pone por la mañana" earns 4 stars, presenting an interesting tale that delicately balances faith and science, charming mystery and banal truth. It manages to do so without succumbing to religiosity while still maintaining a firm, and sometimes proud, human conviction. Seen through the eyes of a witness striving for objectivity within subjectivity, it offers a unique take on these themes.

"Por un solo ayer" receives 3.5 - 3.75 stars. It tells a story of a moving yet pathetic event following the collapse of humanity. While the concept is powerful, the characters perhaps don't quite reach their full potential, and the exploration of the themes may not be as sharp as intended.

"Ni las llamas multicolor de un anillo estelar" scores 4 - 4.25 stars. In my humble opinion, it is a piece of pure and hard speculation that is well-executed. It doesn't overlook more human aspects such as philosophy and romanticism. Additionally, I really liked the couple that appears in this story.

"Una canción para Lya" gets 3 - 3.25 stars. It's not offensively bad, but considering the depth of the idea it delves into and its length, it was quite a disappointment. The physical horror is right there, just needing a little more push, and the human drama didn't quite satisfy me either, not to mention whatever was going on with Valcarenghi that led to nothing.

"El héroe" earns 3.75 - 4 stars. It's a relatively short story with just the right amount of background and an interesting concept. In this type of story, what it says (or tries to say) is more important than aspects like the character's development or emotions.

"Y siete veces digo: al hombre no matarás" scores 3.75 stars. The ideas and comments presented in this story are better executed than those in "Por un solo ayer", although it does still fall into certain tropes in a similar way. It might be a bit on the long side, but the ending was quite biting and satisfying.

"Esa otra clase de soledad" receives 3.75 - 4 stars. It's probably my favorite along with "Ni las llamas multicolor...", and the character with whom I most identify in the entire collection. However, unlike the previous case, I'm not sure if the ending convinces me.

"La presentación" gets 3.75 - 4 stars. It's a well-rounded narration about what it means to "need" something, both as a species and as an individual. The speculative aspect was also very well done. The only thing that could be criticized is perhaps the characters, although they do have that quality of being "alive".

"La negra oscuridad de los túneles" scores 3.75 stars. It has a bit of "La máquina del tiempo" (although not in the sense of "time travel"), and it's quite biting, perhaps not so much in its possible message, but definitely in its execution.

George, is that you?

This collection serves as evidence that it is never too late to enhance the quality of one's writing. George R. R. Martin penned these early works in his twenties, approximately thirty years before "A Game of Thrones" first entered the market. The disparity in the writing between these two bodies of work is truly astonishing. Goodness, the writing in these early stories is rather bad.

It is also very much a creation of its era, drawing heavily from "The Twilight Zone", the early works of Harlan Ellison, the Vietnam War, and a plethora of Sixties and Seventies tropes. None of the stories can be considered a five-star read, but overall, it offers an enjoyable and pulpy way to pass the time. It is recommended for fans who are curious to catch a glimpse of GRRM's initial steps as a writer.

"With Morning Comes Mistfall" features surprisingly solid worldbuilding for a short story. Mankind has colonized other worlds yet still adheres to myths and ghost stories. I rather liked it. ★★★★☆

"The Second Kind of Loneliness" explores the question of whether it is lonelier to be the sole worker at a remote space station or a shy individual at a party. It is quite good. ★★★★☆

"Override" deals with zombies. The concept is corny, the plot is uninspired, and it is clichéd... In short, it's boring. ★★☆☆☆

"Dark, Dark Were the Tunnels" is about post-apocalyptic mutants. I didn't care for it. There is too much backstory to absorb, and it falls apart at the seams. The culture clash it builds up to is highly contrived. It feels cheap and dumb. ★☆☆☆☆

"The Hero" is a war story, clearly inspired by the Vietnam War. It's pulpy, a bit predictable, but has a nice atmosphere and a brisk pace. ★★★☆☆

"fta" is a very short story with a cute twist. ★★★☆☆

"Run to Starlight" is about aliens playing American football. Since I don't really understand American football, half the time I had no idea what was going on. I'm not sure how to rate it; all the talk about quarterbacks, place kicks, and 50-yard lines seemed more alien to me than the aliens themselves. ☆☆☆☆☆

"The Exit to San Breta" is a haunted highway story. It has a cool set-up but fails to live up to the potential of the idea. ★★☆☆☆

"Slide Show" is great. It's a story within a story. After exploring space and discovering new worlds, an astronaut is reduced to presenting slide shows of his past glories as new astronauts take his place. ★★★★☆

"A Song for Lya" won Martin a Hugo Award for best novella. It's about telepathy, loneliness, an alien religion, and it's quite good. Also, as a fun fact, the protagonists are named Robb and Lyanna ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). ★★★★☆

This book is quite good.

I think the ideal way is to read it among other books, as if to clear your mind a bit from what you've read and go little by little with the stories.

The best story is "A Song for Lya". It is a true wonder. It mainly talks about two things, love and solitude as one and the non-existence of God as an all-powerful being.

I believe it is a book that everyone should read. Although the basis is Science Fiction, it touches on many interesting themes such as Solitude, Love, Religion, Magic, Science, The human being, War, and so on.

It offers a unique perspective and makes you think deeply about various aspects of life and the human condition.

Whether you are a fan of Science Fiction or not, this book has something to offer and can enrich your reading experience.

So, give it a try and see for yourself what makes it so special.