Divergent Realms is a collection of science fiction and fantasy short stories by neurodivergent writers featuring neurodivergent characters. Characters deal with traits such as autism, sensory issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and migraine. The stories are short, averaging 12 pages.
I enjoyed discovering a new world in each story: An android after the end of the universe. A girl with a skeleton pet. A boy on a colony ship who prefers to be away from the bustle of people. And more. The characters face real-world challenges of being neurodivergent but placed in another world. They also deal with problems unique to their fictional worlds. I appreciated seeing the characters cope with the different issues they faced.
Review by Ellen
Divergent Realms: Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories About Neurodivergence edited by Riley Odell
Question your typical perception. See beyond the normal you know. Step into divergent realms. Let this anthology of new and original short stories show you the fantastic and futuristic through a new lens. A struggling father discovers why his autistic daughter becomes consumed with a virtual reality simulator in the wake of her mother's death. An android who can't stop ruminating about her consciousness being trapped inside a machine for all eternity confronts her worst fear to stop a sentient AI. Authorities deny a man with a distractible mind a position navigating a chaotic place outside space and time that provides access to other universes, only to realize he's their only hope to recover their lost agents. Divergent Realms showcases the wide spectrum of neurodiversity through the open worlds of speculative fiction. Written and edited by the neurodiverse themselves, these stories express a new side of ADHD, Autism, OCD, and more. Experience an atypical reality and deepen your understanding of the world around you today!