Awakenings

Purchased this anthology in support of one of the authors in it. I'm unfamiliar with the 'Cute Mutants' series.

'Awakenings: A Cute Mutants Anthology' is a collective of short stories written in the 'Cute Mutants' universe. Each story is opened with, and followed by, an excerpt from the series author SJ Whitby's character Farlight. As an entire anthology, the stories start off very loosely connected to the happenings of 'Cute Mutants' and introduces the reader to more of it as the anthology progresses. The basic arrangement of this collection. The other commonality was the shear number of plant empaths/plant people, which might explain the cover. It's different to have that many in that super power skill class, my only comment of it.

The overarching glue of the anthology is from SJ Whitby's pieces, and their character Farsight. And Dylan. Farsight I compare to Professor X from X-men in that they can reach out and see the happenings of the mutants a world away, though that is the extent of their ability. Dylan is mostly there to prod them in the side and honestly, I was hoping they would eventually be punted out of the tower. Some editors choose to use this narrative method as a means to create cohesion between the short stories, but I started skipping through them because Dylan annoyed me. Although part of me thinks that may be the point of that character.

As for the actual stories, will go through these one by one, without spoilers:
Rose by Shelly Page: It was a decent opening in that it covered the 'Cute Mutants' aspects of the mutations proliferating and people freaking out about if they had it, or if someone they knew had it. Included a backwater, hick conflict that was a tad tired. It was okay, just didn't blow me away.
A Forest Hath No Fury by Elle Tesch: One that was very disconnected from the universe, but didn't lack in narrative. The stories I preferred in the anthology tended to share the qualities this one had. The prose was lovely, there was a proper sense of place. Great connection not only with the character but her wards, along with a gradual build of characterization, skill, and conflict. Feels like it lives in more of a lit writing style, but was good work.
A Guide To Running Away by Andy Perez: It's a love story, of fire and ice. A little on the cliche side, but it's adorable and a reader wants that in something that is hopelessly romantic. Cute, and put a smile to my face in the end.
Island Burnt By History by Hsinju Chen: I could tell that this author studied in the area of their characters' powers, and I was right. This is why hard sci-fi writers are a treat to read because they know how to make a story out of something that could generally come across as boring and blaise, and make a whole narrative out of it. They wielded their intellect with confidence, and guided the reader in how these powers worked and the means in which they could help others. Also, the one individual without powers was a perfect adorkable side character. Really liked this one.
When The Woods Whisper Back by Shannon Ives: The horror story in the group. Appropriately creepy, and breaks up the vibe of the other stories. If you reflect back on this story after reading the last three, it's especially grim.
Time Of Death by Melody Robinette: Anyone remember the Nickelback 'Savin' Me' music video? That is this story. Main character has this power, and basically tries to prevent a few deaths that might happen. It was rushed, the romantic interlude was sporatic and also rushed. It could have done with a longer duration and more build up. So when bad things do happen, I wasn't invested in these characters.
The Battle Song Of Gravity by Astra Daye: Short, and I don't remember anything about it. Probably the most prose/lit in the group, but if you're reading 'Cute Mutants' I'm guessing it might be a bit of a different tone from the mainline.
When The Forest Calls Us Home by Yves Donlon: Also suffered from being rushed, not enough build up, and not enough time spent with the characters to elicit sympathy at the bad things that happen. It is the first story in the collection that has a character that is portrayed as evil with their powers, however, and the consequences of misplacing affections. But still, could do with more word count and development.
Something Witchy This Way Comes by E.M. Anderson: I loved this one! It has the vibes of a modern fairytale, but also references 'Cute Mutants' little. It could be transposed into a modern Grimm tale retelling and work very well. The author knows how to write a very convincing middle-grade character and play to their naive nature, while also accurately reflecting how the adults around them receive their innocent slights. Incredible characterizations, real, raw, perfect, endearing. Kudos to how they wrote their villain even. The uncle is abusive, but the author recognized that they have some vague notion of humanity when he steps in front of his niece to guard her. Yes, still a jerk, but these characters were actual people. This is a writer who'd I'd like to see more of.
Welcome To The Weirdlands by Hester Steel: This was the one story I skipped through. Too much prose, not enough sense of character and place. It bounced between present and past so frequently that it gave me whiplash. This is however the story that introduces a good chunk of the 'Cute Mutant' lore that most of the ones after it also follow. So if you're not familiar with this universe, you need this story, but I found myself skipping it regardless and hoping that the other ones would handle that instead.
Moth, Flash, Flame by Monica Gribouski: Thankfully, this story was clear and concise in communicating the lore of the 'Cute Mutant' universe. And it also covers the Goddess versus Michael segment of the lore. Just like Hsinju Chen, I could also tell this author was studying in the area of expertise most often referred to in their work, and also knew how to wield their knowledge while creating a concise narrative. Plot twist was clever, and the Moth is maybe one of the most unexpected powers of the group.
Vibe Check by Charlotte Hayward: Empaths. And used in a way that was sweet and endearing towards the end, though the miscommunication trope in the middle made me want to grab the main character and shake some sense into them. Mutant old folks' home with adorable people and aww! The ending is like a good hug. Unexpected, but it's appreciated.
California Dreaming by Amanda M. Pierce: This is your action story. Very good action story. Clever, bombastic, but the characters are all flat stereotypes. Vegan eco chick was full-on "I'm a vegan. Save the whales. RAWR!!!" The pyromaniac villain listened to death metal and wasn't redeemable. And while the action was great, and most of the powers were some of the most creative I've ever seen, the characterizations fell flat. Little dimension, and of them, their attributes were told but never shown. I'm told at least half a dozen times the eco vegan is a super eco vegan, but never once do they actually pick up a snail from the sidewalk, or slap up posters on school grounds telling people that chickens are raised in battery cages. Characterization was lacking, but the action segment towards the end is the pay off.
Gary by Emma Jun: This is delightful in how long the author goes before revealing how exactly the mutation in their main character works. Girl is possessed by an alien... and anything else is spoilers. But basically the plot is more or less the contention between the two, and quite a lot of self-talk. If you like banter and dialogue, and a very, very nuanced sci-fi theory turned into a plot point, this works great. But I suspect for those looking for a 'Cute Mutant' vibe, this might be literally the most out there in the collection. Although I like clever science fiction, so this makes it to my top 3.