Review of Emmie Christie, “Hazards of Being Related to the Chosen One,” Flash Fiction Online 134 (November 2024): 11-13 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was as surprisingly cheerful (as well was emotionally wrenching) story given its title, and it fit the “rural” theme of the issue perfectly: narrowly-focused without being small-minded.
Review of Vijayalaxmi Samal, “To Curse With Needle and Thread,” Flash Fiction Online 134 (November 2024): 8-10 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
The stories in this issue of FFO are all bundled together under the header of “rural fantasy”, but don’t be deceived: These are not quiet pastoral stories. Samal’s story opens the issue, and in the very first lines it is visceral, it is angry, it is full of power. It is sharp and blunt when it comes to criticizing colonialism, and the forced conversion that comes with it. A strong and powerful opener!
Review of Christine Lucas, “Final Harvest,” Flash Fiction Online 133 (October 2024): 35-37 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: death of a parent.
This was a strangely delicate indictment of the ways in which parenting can go wrong, with a good dose of world-building in the background that really helped support and carry the story. I really enjoyed this.
Review of Damián Neri, “To Serve the Emperor,” Flash Fiction Online 133 (October 2024): 31-34 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Child harm, flesh eating.
Neri’s story is the sort that rests on the border of gross horror and psychological horror which sits very uncomfortably with me — I like the latter but not so much the former, but here it is the former that makes it the latter. It was entirely compelling and even if I wasn’t entirely happy reading it, I couldn’t look away.
Review of Abby Nicole Yee, “A Space O/pera”, Clarkesworld Issue 217, October (2024): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
This one starts off strong, with an open letter to a young heiress on her lavish wedding, set in the near future amidst severe climate change. There’s a lot packed into this short story, and the stakes are raised pretty quick too. It’s also quite thoughtfully laid out, with the epistolary type blog posts providing a different perspective and broader context to this space tale. Packed with futuristic tech and sci-fi action, there’s not a single dull moment!
SFF Reviews