Review of Damyanti Biswas, “Just a Greedy Ifriti,” Flash Fiction Online 127 (April 2024): 15-16 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
An ifriti that’s greedy will promise anything in order to get what it wants. In this story, it only takes two pages for the greedy ifriti to smooth-talk its way to freedom. It was nevertheless two pages of work — I had to reread the opening half page or so a number of times before I felt like I understood what was going on.
Review of Lettie Prell, “Please Click,” Flash Fiction Online 127 (April 2024): 11-13 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This story was a thoughtful take on human-robot symbiosis, mostly hopeful, rather than depressing. It also had an element of humor that particularly tickled me; pretty sure anyone who has spent enough time on the internet will know what part I meant once they get to it (I’d rather not spoil in the review, as it’s intrinsic to the story!).
Review of Samantha Murray, “The Stars that Fall,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 35-37 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Death of a child.
This was a weird combination of science, astrology, and fantasy, and for all it’s mishmash, I really, really liked it.
(First published in Flash Fiction Online 2017).
Review of Holly Schofield, “What You Sow,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 14-16 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
I liked the conceit of the story — growing flowers and other plants from your head instead of hair — as there’s a lot of imaginative scope in it. (I spent quite a bit of time, while reading, idly wondering what flowers I’d grow.) And I loved the way an entire lifetime was traced in a scant few pages.
I just wish (personal opinion here!) that it weren’t told in second person.
(First publishing in Navigating Ruins 2022).
Review of Eris Young, “Up From Out of Clay,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 24-27 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
I’m not quite sure what I make of this story. It’s about a girl and a golem, about a master and his apprentice, and I feel like there is more to it than this, but two readings through didn’t quite reveal what that more is.
Perhaps other readers will resonate more with the story than I did.
(First published in Gwylion 3, 2021).
Review of Albert Chu, “Eloïse,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 17-20 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This story starts off about dueling and ends with a transformation. In four pages we go from anxiety and unhappiness to freedom and joy, not a bad arc for such a short duration!
Review of Colleen Anderson, “Swan’s Song,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 32-33 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
“What is love?” this poem’s opening line asks us, and if there’s an answer in the lines that following, it’s what love isn’t. While not quite as gruesome as the original fairy tale that serves as this poem’s inspiration, the undertones of violence and pain remain.
Review of Fiona Moore, “The Portmeirion Road”, Clarkesworld Issue 212, May (2024): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
This shows such a great approach to a post apocalyptic society, and how people work together to rebuild society in various ways, including via information archives. The contrast is starker still with the “good old days” of healthcare and information accessibility being part of living memory.
Never thought a story would make me feel a pang of emotion for an Ikea style wood chip table, but here we are. For a happy coincidence, this one brings an adorable robot companion too, just like the first story in the issue!
I’m hoping this story is part of a larger universe, because the world building is amazing. I want to read more about their laws, Morag’s life on the farm and brewery, homesteading, the archivists, and how this society develops.
Review of Alice Towey, “Fishy”, Clarkesworld Issue 212, May (2024): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one – what a great story to start this issue! I’ve read this author before, and I loved her work even then. The author works in water resource management, and it makes its way into her fiction beautifully. A few words and phrases are all she needs to describe situations, emotions, and feelings.
Fishy is a good friend, and one who wants you to be happy. I’ve got a weakness for adorable robot companions, and Fishy delivers! This story is layered, emotional and cute, with some a great ethical choice to round it off. Simply fantastic.
Review of Sierra Branham, “Unbending My Bones,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 28-30 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This story wears its allegory with unabashed pride: You can tell every step of the way that it is an allegory, and what it’s an allegory for, but the power of it never descends into browbeating the reader. Deftly done, this story will resonate with anyone who has ever gotten trapped inside insidious organized religion.
SFF Reviews