Bomboncita

Bomboncita is a rare literary gem—a speculative tale that is at once fiercely original and deeply rooted in the political, poetic, and personal. It challenges the reader to consider how the future might emerge from the buried wounds of the past, and how love—no matter how unconventional—can be a radical act of resistance. For fans of The Left Hand of Darkness, Exhalation, and Kindred, this book belongs on your shelf and in your bloodstream. It’s one of those stories that ends far too soon—but echoes long after.

This was an atmospheric and lyrical read evoking the beauty of a fictional island nation that despite its small size, wielded disproportionate power. There were some fascinating hints of the darker side of Reina Madre, such as the Lucien’s death penalty without trial and the idea of the briefly sentient Alma regressing to her former drone state once more. I would have loved to have seen the inherent problems of Reina Madre explored more fully – the draconian social media laws, for example, or why Alma represented ‘a glimmer of hope for Reina Madre’s future’ when the island already seemed so prosperous and happy. That said, it was the nature of the narrative to leave it the reader to guess at the answers the story raised, and it was well worth reading.

The story is engaging and keeps the reader entertained from beginning to end. It is set in a strange and imaginative country where robots are exploited for farming work. Beneath its surface, the story feels deeply symbolic — suggesting that the people themselves are also living robotic, mechanical lives, lacking freedom or individuality. The young female protagonist stands against this oppressive environment and sparks positive change. It's a short entertaining Sci-Fi Story with futuristic setting.

Such a rich story and a facinating world this author has created. It feels otherwordly and yet familiar at the same time, as the best sci-fi often does. Really hope the author creates more titles as a series as the ending certainly seems to hint at a continuation of the story.