Review of Tehnuka, “Kannaki Contemplates the Fire in Her Breast,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 21-22 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Sumptuous narrative poetry stuffed with religious history and gorgeous imagery — really lovely!
REVIEW: “Music of the Seraphim” by Angel Leal
Review of Angel Leal, “Music of the Seraphim,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 11-13 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This is now the third poem by Leal that I’ve reviewed at SFFReviews — and let me tell you, I have loved every single one. I hope they’ve got a poetry collection in the works, because I’d love to read (or publish!) it.
REVIEW: “Celestial Bodies” by Mar Vincent
Review of Mar Vincent, “Celestial Bodies,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 7-9 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
For all the stars and astronomical arrangements that show up in this story, I’ve placed it firmly in the “fantasy” category, even though it’s hard to articulate what this story is about. But it is a lovely little glittery thing, worth reading for its sweet ending.
REVIEW: “Timothy: An Oral History” by Michael Swanwick
Review of Michael Swanwick, “Timothy: An Oral History”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
A layered piece with a great format; it explores an all-female, utopian society, and what happens when a biological man comes into existence in such a society. An intriguing idea, elevated by the oral history narrative format that was able to incorporate so many different points of view into a short story.
Gender norms and expectations, of course, look different in this society. When a biological male upends the status quo in this utopia, the cracks start to show. An interesting examination of societal norms, and a great way to wrap up this issue.
REVIEW: “Limerence” by Samir Sirk Morató
Review of Samir Sirk Morató, “Limerence,” Flash Fiction Online 126 (March 2024): 22-24 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a surprisingly lovely and evocative story, of two bog bodies separated by a layer of peat. It’s a story of longing and loss and love, with an ambiguous ending where I still can’t decide if I find it sad or hopeful.
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