The Future Is Blue

Fifteen short stories assemble to form the diverse, imaginative, and lively collection The Future is Blue. From a girl searching for her name while living in the floating city of Garbagetown to space travelers who stumble upon an Earth-like planet populated by green, telepathic lions, readers have much to explore in this fantastical compilation. The closing tale takes readers to the world of Valente’s Fairyland series: set before the books, several familiar characters mourn the loss of their previously idyllic life but remember their duty to protect the vulnerable and the courage they must find to say “no” in the face of evil.

While the final story is the most straightforward in this collection, Valente’s narratives are frequently non-linear and experimental, making it difficult to determine what she intends in each story. Valente weaves her tales among other well-known fictional worlds, including those of H.P. Lovecraft, Lewis Carroll, and J.M. Barrie, and determined readers will relish her playful use of familiar fairy tales and myths. This may not be the most leisurely volume for readers new to Valente’s work, but for dedicated fans of speculative fantasy and sci-fi, it is well worth the effort.