REVIEW: “Love Unflinching, at Low- to Zero-G” by M. L. Clark

Review of M. L. Clark, “Love Unflinching, at Low- to Zero-G”, Clarkesworld Issue 181, October (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A veterinarian in space wrangles with ethics, morality and duty, with inter-species collaborative space stations thrown in for good measure.

The Doc is getting on in years, but they are still very committed to ensuring a healthy, balanced existence on the station, amongst all species and their companions. But humans are only human, after all, and Doc takes it upon themselves to try and diffuse the situation before it becomes a potentially disastrous actual situation.

The descriptions were lovely, the characters were well-defined, and the ending was particularly poignant. Long yet engaging.

myra naikLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Ghosts in My Lungs” by Madeleine Sardina

Review of Madeleine Sardina, “Ghosts in My Lungs,” Luna Station Quarterly 50 (2022): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

I’m not sure if the titular ghosts were intended to be a metaphor for disease — they certainly can be read that way, but it’s not required — or if they’re just a fun creepy thing to imagine and write a story about, but either way, they definitely made for a fun creepy thing to read a story about, especially entangled in an absolutely glorious love story. A real treat!

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “What Has Waited Between the Stars” by Daphne Fama

Review of Daphne Fama, “What Has Waited Between the Stars,” Luna Station Quarterly 50 (2022): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Woman breaks up with her girlfriend, takes to the stars, crashes on a lonely planet: A simple, and not especially original, premise. The only thing that kept me going through the opening paragraphs was the hint of the title, the promise that I might be dazzled with something unexpected.

The abrupt shift the story took about three quarters of the way through was certainly unexpected, but I think I ended up more perplexed than dazzled. And odd little SF tale!

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “One More Fairy Tale” by Carol Scheina

Review of Carol Scheina, “One More Fairy Tale” Cossmass Infinities 9 (2022): 20-24 — Read or purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This story is both one final fairy tale that a mother tells her child, of bargains made for wishes fulfilled, and a pretty classic SF story, of genetically engineered soldiers and trans-world travel. I like it when authors play with genres like this, and Scheina’s touching story does so successfully.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Love Letters” by Kit Harding

Review of Kit Harding, “Love Letters” Cossmass Infinities 9 (2022): 13-19 — Read or purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Content note: Reference to suicide.

Harding’s funny, moving story takes on the question: How, exactly, do you navigate a long-distance relationship when the two parties live on different planets?

In the case of Sam and Amelia, the answer is: Not very well, as we get to see through a series of letters Amelia sends Sam, exploring the relationships between each other, and between each of them and their home. I am definitely on Amelia’s side, in this, and it’s not just because we only get to hear her side.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Chokeleaf” by M.J. Garland

Review of M.J. Garland, “Chokeleaf,” Luna Station Quarterly 50 (2022): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Content note: Depression and suicidal ideation.

Chokeleaf — or Ficus effusio, to give it its Latin name — is an invasive species, and the Trailblazers are there to do their part in eradicating it. The Trailblazers themselves are a motley group of do-gooders, college drop outs, and know-it-alls, the only thing united them is a desire to help rid the park of this plant, which is threatening not only the local wildlife, but the human visitors as well. Through the eight weeks they spend at the park, we learn about Steph, and her past, the people she’s left behind and the life she would like to get back do. Despite the fantasy elements, there is something that feels very real about this story.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Seven Strands” by Tisha Marie Reichle-Aguilera

Review of Tisha Marie Reichle-Aguilera, “Seven Strands,” Luna Station Quarterly 50 (2022): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

When Cristian’s aunt tells him that something has happened and his mother needs him, he is in agony of worry until he can make the trek back home, bringing his girlfriend Norma along with. But Norma isn’t there just to support Cristian; she has her own designs afoot!

Though short, and perhaps a bit underdeveloped, this story is filled with all the little bits of verisimilitude that make me as a reader feel like I am in capable hands.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment