Review of Brian Hugenbruch, “So You Want to Eat an Omnalik Starfish,” Small Wonders no. 3 (September 2023): 12 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
So I didn’t particularly want to eat any kind of starfish, omnalik or otherwise, because I’m not really into seafood. And yet, this short, compact story managed to convince me otherwise, with beautiful language and just the right touch to tug at my heart (“urgent grief”, indeed). Well done!
(First published in Syntax and Salt 2020).
Review of H. V. Patterson, “Seducing the Supervillain,” Small Wonders no. 3 (September 2023): 10 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was an absolute smasher of a poem, containing all the things I like: Beautiful language, a clear story with a lot of character development, and that thing that leaves me wanting more.
Review of Christine Hanolsy, “Festival,” Small Wonders no. 3 (September 2023): 7-8 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a lovely and thoughtful take on maintaining cultural traditions as an immigrant.
Review of Suzanne Palmer, “Possibly Just About A Couch”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
An absolutely beautiful story of a couch. It just was, it always was. With shades of the iconic Douglas Adams, I loved every sentence, every description, and every transition in here.
I have previously reviewed and loved other Suzanne Palmer stories, so I already knew it was going to be amazing. It was even better than that.
A concise history and future of the universe as we know it, from an exceedingly interesting and unique point of view.
I have only good things to say: read it as soon as you can! It’s only a little more than 2000 words, and more than worth the time spent reading it.
Review of Jennifer Mace, “Upon What Soil They Fed,” Flash Fiction Online (March 2023): 20-22 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a creepy little story about the unexpected things a door-to-door salesman might encounter.
(First published in Syntax & Salt January 2020).
Review of Marisca Pichette, “Wonderful Wounds Await You,” Flash Fiction Online (March 2023): 16-19 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was an interesting story which was a “not for me” one because of its use of second-person narration. If this doesn’t bother you, then you’ll probably enjoy it (unless body horror isn’t your thing.)
Review of Dafydd McKimm, “Power is Love in the Devil’s Eye,” Flash Fiction Online (March 2023): 11-15 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Salacious, graphic, and humorful, but unfortunately rather too relentlessly heteronormative for my tastes.
Review of Matthew F. Amati, “About Her Bones So Bleak and Bare,” Flash Fiction Online (March 2023): 7-10 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Death of a child.
This story is gruesome, violent, and haunting.
Review of Wen Wen Yang, “The Fox Spirit’s Retelling,” Flash Fiction Online (May 2023): 20-22 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a lovely little ghost tale, full of hauntings and spirits and stories that never get fully told.
(Originally published in Remapping Wonderland: Classic Fairytales Retold by People of Color, January 2021.)
Review of Arula Ratnakar, “Babirusa”, Clarkesworld Issue 185, February (2022): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
A beautifully engaging novella with so many elements, twists and surprises that I was reluctant to put it down whenever real life called.
Roop and Kabir are the brother-sister duo I never knew I needed in fiction. The richly layered portrayal of their relationship adds so much depth to the story.
I was especially impressed by the level of scientific detail, as well as the character’s well-rounded and interesting personalities. Would definitely recommend this story, especially if you’re interested in the idea of consciousness and individuality. Especially as seen through the lens of a human society farther advanced than us – one with the skillset to program and modify a human being.
This is going to be one of my most recommended stories for people wanting to explore the world of short SFF.
SFF Reviews