Trace Elements

Trace Elements

Conversations on the Project of Science Fiction and Fantasy

by Jo Walton; Ada Palmer

My review

5+

Loved this one. There's so much that could be said and discussed, but the book does it better. So, I'll focus on how I reacted to it. I feel it's a great collection of essays, but I wish it were a documentary. It's a great tool for readers, writers, and reviewers (to be lazy about listing who could benefit from this book).

I relate to the authors in a lot of aspects so I felt seen as a reader, reviewer, and writer.

I felt seen, understood, and I wished many parents would have this set of mind, Our dreams can be achieved but there is a window, and that window closes, so we have to invest, do our best, and get informed, adding to the help of the ones educating us and surrounding us. otherwise a dream is just a dream.

Very rich and with good points of view towards the evolution of SF. Definitely will make me a better reviewer, I will be more empathic.

It goes from a more negative critique tone (maybe negative is not the right word, more in your face truth) towards a more positive hopeful tone.

It made me understand better the difference between what I call Hardcore Sci-fi and mainstream published novels (fantasy too).

They point out how things work, the system, the culture, the marketing world, the expectations from readers and market, the formulaic plots, the usage of fantasy or sci-fi elements in a plot (as what I call accessories and makeup) not the core of the plot.

Sometimes I felt the ideals contradicted, but this is written by two authors they are entitled to have different opinions.

Loved the chapter dedicated to the history of sci-fi and fantasy authors since ancient Greece.

The pointing out that we have different motivations to read and how the format of novels changed... sometimes it was due to random events like the price of glue.

There's a deep understanding of manga, a Japanese approach to genres, and an explanation of it, excellent chapters.

One dedicated to romance, explaining, and differentiating it, the same for chick lit.

I am an eclectic moody reader, I do like to read out of my favorite genre because I know what to expect from it.

An extensive chapter focused on chronic pain and this was so uplifting because it gives us hope that with the right community, we can achieve more than be defined by pain.

Another chapter favorite of mine was the one dedicated to craft and the author's experience of publishing.

p.s: "Blame Canada" eheheh just laughed out loud at that reference

RELEASES March 24th 2026

Tor books

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