The Forward Collection
by Various Authors 2019  / 272 total pgs. Fiction

The Forward Collection is six short stories written by authors from an idea thought of by Blake Crouch.  Amazon shows them as six different books.  The longest story is 74 pgs, and the shortest is 27 pgs.  They are all quick reads.  For the sake of brevity, I’ll post them as one book.  Also, I won’t give away the whole plot.         

Ark by Veronica Roth  39 pgs   

The Earth is near the end as an Astroid is about to collide with it.  Only scientists that are identifying plants from the seed stations are left.  At the final minute, they will depart with the last two rockets and seeds from the stores.  Only one of them has a different plan.

Summer Frost by Blake Crouch 74 pgs

During the development of the video game Lost Coast, a minor NPC starts to act independently and think beyond its original programming level.  Its creator, Sam, wants to explore its potential and what could be the first true A.I.      

Emergency Skin by N.K. Jemisin 32 pgs

Many years ago, humanity left the Earth because it was becoming inhabitable.  Now, one has come to a planet with a special mission to collect cell samples needed back on the new Earth.

You have arrived at your Destination by Amor Towles 45 pgs

Sam and Anne need an IVF to have children.  Sam is given three different presentations with future potential plans at the clinic to choose their ideal child.

The Last Conversation by Paul Tremblay 55 pgs

You wake up not knowing where you are or why you are there.  A lady walks in and starts helping you in your recovery.  You have many questions, and she has a few answers.

Randomize by Andy Weir 27 pgs

A husband and wife come up with a scheme using computers to win over $700,000 in Kino.    

Overall, these short stories were fun to consume.  Ark, Summer Frost, and Emergency Skin were exciting.  You have arrived at your Destination was interesting, not thrilling.  Last Conversation and Randomize were O.K. It’s a beautiful collection to get introduced to new authors.  I will be interested in Crouch, Jemisin, and Towles books in the future. 

Enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book.

Lopaka