Review of Louis Inglis Hall, “The Profitable Sentience of Household Goods”, Clarkesworld Issue 236, May (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
A story that started off quite cute (if somewhat suspicious) and turned into something deeply unsettling that made me quite emotional by the end. A rollercoaster of emotions (in the best way) in under 4000 words!
REVIEW: “Macaroni Art in the Age of Filtration” by Ryan Cole
Review of Ryan Cole, “Macaroni Art in the Age of Filtration”, Clarkesworld Issue 235, April (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
It is difficult to breathe. In this story set in the indeterminate future.
But also in many places around the world even today.
Reading this story about gritty air and noxious gases and particulate matter will likely make you want to take deep breaths of gratitude.
More than once I was sharply reminded of this setting already being a reality for many. Many things in our world today reflect dystopian stories in various ways.. but the power of love and humanity is always what makes these stories so impactful.
Humans can do many curious, difficult, strong things – all for a sliver of hope.
REVIEW: “Recording of Professor Elizabeth Boucher’s Opening Lecture on Death Ages Novels, University of Presque Isle, March 32, 2667.” by Stacie Turner
Review of Stacie Turner, “Recording of Professor Elizabeth Boucher’s Opening Lecture on Death Ages Novels, University of Presque Isle, March 32, 2667,” Adventitious no. 1 (Feb/Mar 2026): 10-18 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: References to rape.
This is the story of every archivist’s worst nightmare: Late 20th/early 21st C literature and culture lost for ever because we thought electronic storage was stable and accessible. It’s also the story of at least one archivist’s best dream: That centuries from now, what our ancestors will remember of our society is fanfiction. I adored this story, and want to attend all of Dr. Boucher’s lectures.
REVIEW: “Teapot” by Ben Williams
Review of Ben Williams, “Teapot,” Adventitious no. 1 (Feb/Mar 2026): 7-9 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This tiny little story featuring a tiny little teapot and a delicious (and deliciously tiny) little mystery at the heart of it also featured a kick of laughter at the very end. I love little gems like this.
REVIEW: “A Húlíjīng Always Keeps One Tail Hidden” by Melissa Ren
Review of Melissa Ren, “A Húlíjīng Always Keeps One Tail Hidden,” Adventitious no. 1 (Feb/Mar 2026): 51-54 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Death of a sibling.
I adore stories that introduce me to the mythos of another culture, and that’s what I got from Ren’s story, which was rich and sumptuous and felt like it contained far more than its mere 4 pages. It was marvelous and unexpected.
(First published in Triangulation: Hospitium 2024.)
REVIEW: “The Furthest Point” by Alethea Paul
Review of Alethea Paul, “The Furthest Point” Adventitious no. 1 (Feb/Mar 2026): 49-50 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a gossamer confection of a story — short, ephemeral, delightful while it lasted but not leaving a lasting impression.
REVIEW: “Citizens!” by Sasha Brown
Review of Sasha Brown, “Citizens!” Flash Fiction Online 152 (May 2026): 28-31 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
There was something both very real and very surreal about this story. I really enjoyed it!
REVIEW: “This Is Your Village” by Charlie Kieft
Review of Charlie Kieft, “This Is Your Village,” Flash Fiction Online 152 (May 2026): 23-27 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This is probably the most depressing story that I have read in years.
REVIEW: “The Screaming Garden” by Em Starr
Review of Em Starr, “The Screaming Garden,” Flash Fiction Online 152 (May 2026): 20-22 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was an absolutely delicious piece of horror. I don’t normally expect to enjoy horror pieces because of their humor, but I absolutely enjoyed this one because of that.
(First published in Flame Tree Fiction Newsletter 74, 2025.)
REVIEW: “Soon It Would See Eyelessly, Turn Corners On Its Own” by John K. Peck
Review of John K. Peck, “Soon It Would See Eyelessly, Turn Corners On Its Own,” Flash Fiction Online 152 (May 2026): 11-14 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
The FFO editors categorized this story as horror, but while it definitely had a delicious Gothic feel to it, I found it too serene to be truly horrific.
SFF Reviews 