Also by M.C.A. Hogarth:
- Earthrise (Her Instruments Book 1)
- A Bloom in the North (Stone Moon Trilogy 3)
- Pearl in the Void (Stone Moon Trilogy 2)
- From Spark to Finish: Running Your Kickstarter Campaign
- Black Blossom
- Flight of the Godkin Griffin
- The Case of the Poisoned House and Other Xenopsychiatric Studies
- Spots the Space Marine: Letters
- Blades and Bitter Apples
- Claws and Starships
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Published: Oct. 06, 2010
Words: 4,970 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452388946
Short description
Kediil wants only to remain neuter and learn the secrets of herbs from its beloved Mardin... but at its second puberty, it turns female, and is forced to decide between accepting its new roles among the family... or something unspeakable.Extended description
Kediil wants only to remain neuter and learn the secrets of herbs from its beloved Mardin... but at its second puberty, it turns female, and is forced to decide between accepting its new roles among the family... or something unspeakable. Originally published in Strange Horizons, this story made the Tiptree Award's Secondary List and was recommended for a Nebula Award.Tags
romance, aliens, gender, transexuality, gender roles, low techAvailable ebook reading formats
This book is free. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.| Format | Full Book |
|---|---|
| Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser) | View |
| Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps) | Download |
| Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others) | Download |
| PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing) | Download |
| RTF (readable on most word processors) | Download |
| LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub) | Download |
| Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices) | Download |
| Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting) | Download |
| Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page) | View |
Reviews
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Review by:
Lynn E. O'Connacht
on Feb. 10, 2013 :
This is such a powerful, beautiful and heart-rending story... This was my first encounter with the Jokka (even though this review is written based on a reread), and it introduces the world and society exceptionally strongly. There are one or two instances where I felt it was handled more clumsily than it could have been, and they're all the more startling because throughout the story Hogarth displays an exceptional skill with words. Her control is tight and precise, with little to no words wasted. Kediil's voice is strong and its story compelling, dealing with incredibly tough choices and far-reaching consequences in a very short space of text.
I'm happy to recommend it to anyone looking for a good read, especially if they're interested in non-human cultures.
(review of free book)
Review by:
THG StarDragon Publishing
on Jan. 24, 2013 :
I have not had the time to read all of Ms. Hogarth's work. I also did not read 'Worth of a Shell' first. This story does not need it though, and I am happy that this was the first of the Jokka stories that I read. I was particularly fascinated by the way the world is built in such a short sitting. I also was very pleased at the personal interactions. What grabbed me the most is the tiny detail of the teardrop petals on the gift that had been left for Kediil. That spoke volumes in itself.
(review of free book)
Review by:
K. Starbuck
on Nov. 22, 2010 :
This is a little gem of a Jokka story. I began and ended reading it in one sitting. The writing is tight, no details over or under-embellished. The story follows the biological progression of one of the Jokkad, an individual by the name of Kediil.
Readers who have first read 'Worth of a Shell' will find some of the assumed world-building easier to navigate, but the story stands on its own feet easily. It asks a few difficult questions, the protagonist facing issues of family, responsibility and personal freedom. I found the ending to this story quite satisfactory, if bittersweet.
If you find you need more Jokka, this is a good story to pick up, as you will not be disappointed. My only complaint is that there is not more to be read about this particular individual.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Conrad Wong
on Nov. 04, 2010 :
If you only read one Jokka story, this one will cover the core of their issues, but it's more like a taste of chocolate than the whole parfait. This is less of a review than a note that if you liked this, you will probably more enjoy her longer Jokka book, Worth of a Shell!
(review of free book)
Review by:
Eric Hinkle
on Oct. 15, 2010 :
Another great Jokka story, focusing on their society and how it's been shaped by their odd biology. I especially like how Micah avoids simple good versus bad conflicts. Reading this, one understands why the Jokka culture has such strict gender roles, as well as why Kedill does what she does to escape her fate.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Elizabeth McCoy
on Oct. 13, 2010 :
Another piece of the Jokka story, told in swift bites of time, almost a montage sequence -- no wasted words, no wasted scenes, everything building to the decision. There are many ways that Jokka face becoming, or being, female, and this is a secret way -- and a selfish one. And yet, having seen what it has seen, what else can Kediil choose?
As I've mentioned in other reviews, of other stories in this setting, the Jokka are not human; there are few parallels to human questions involving sex and gender. One can only visit, half-in an alien's skin, and see how the world and their biology shape them.
(review of free book)