Transcendent: The Year's Best Transgender Speculative Fiction, Paperback/K. M. Szpara

Contributor(s): Editor: K. M. Szpara There are fantastical stories with actual transgender characters, some for whom that is central and others for whom that isn't. And there are stories without transgender characters, but with metaphors and symbolism in their place, genuine expressions of self through such speculative fiction tropes as shapeshifting and programming. Transgender individuals see themselves in transformative characters, those outsiders, before seeing themselves as human protagonists. Those feelings are still valid. But though the stories involve transformation and outsiders, sometimes the change is one of self-realization. This anthology will be a welcome read for those who are ready to transcend gender through the lens of science fiction, fantasy, and other works of imaginative fiction.   Review citations Publishers Weekly / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - 09/05/2016 Publishers Weekly / Exceptional Presentation - 09/05/2016 Publishers Weekly / Book Of Special Distinction - 09/05/2016 Publishers Weekly / Top 15 Book Of The Year - 09/05/2016 Publishers Weekly / Highly Recommended - 09/05/2016 Kirkus Reviews - 11/15/2016