Review of Akmay, “The Doula,” Luna Station Quarterly 54 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Childbirth.
What a creepy, bloody, gory story! If you are squeamish about innards and organs, I’d recommend avoiding.
REVIEW: “Silk” by Alyssa C. Greene
Review of Alyssa C. Greene, “Silk,” Luna Station Quarterly 54 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Considering the subject of this story was weaving, it feels appropriate to describe it as “intricately woven,” threads being fed to the reader a bit at a time so that we don’t get the whole pattern at once, but have to wait for it to be built, all the while, horror deepening in the background.
REVIEW: “Mother of the Sea” by Alyson Tait
Review of Alyson Tait, “Mother of the Sea” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 16-17 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This brief, sparse story relies on the reader being familiar with selkie mythology. I like how the ambiguous ending leaves me uncertain whom I’m supposed to be happy for and whom I’m supposed to mourn.
REVIEW: “Mango Fire” by Celeste Rita Baker
Review of Celeste Rita Baker, “Mango Fire” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 12-15 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a beautifully told story of self-acceptance and familial support. Even dragons struggle with this sometimes!
REVIEW: “Salt” by Srilatha Rajagopal
Review of Srilatha Rajagopal, “Salt” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 6-9 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Death, the pandemic, abuse.
There is great depth in this quite short story, which is full of the complexities of familial relationships and how to navigate the death of a parent.
REVIEW: “Where True Power Lies” by Koji A. Dae
Review of Koji A. Dae, “Where True Power Lies” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 4-5 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This is a short, slight little story, with not much space for much to happen. Nevertheless, it manages to pack a strong message about power and the ways women can obtain it in its two pages.
REVIEW: “Machine (r)Evolution” by Colleen Anderson
Review of Colleen Anderson, “Machine (r)Evolution” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 70-74 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This multi-page poem traces the history of machines, from the point of view of the people whose lives they changed. It’s a pretty depressing read, but well constructed.
REVIEW: “This is Not a Place of Honor” by Alex Kingsley
Review of Alex Kingsley, “This is Not a Place of Honor” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 19-25 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Knowing the reference the title is making (something I did already know, because ever since learning it I have had plans for my own story based on it!) is not necessary to understand the context of the story, which stands beautifully self-sufficient on its own feet, slightly scary and heartbreakingly sad.
REVIEW: “Old School Sensibilities” by Christina Tang-Bernas
Review of Christina Tang-Bernas, “Old School Sensibilities” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 33-39 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was an absolutely beautiful and sweet little story of teenage love across the technological divide.
(First published in Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly, 2015.)
REVIEW: “Pandora’s Capsule” by Shaliz Bazldjoo
Review of Shaliz Bazldjoo, “Pandora’s Castle” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 48-55 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
There is so much tension and backstory and history in this story, right from the very start. Bazldjoo strikes an excellent balance for the reader between the enjoyable uncertainty about what’s going on and how everything fits in, and frustration about the exact same thing. I immediately want to know more about the narrator, who are they, why is their life like this. A great read.
SFF Reviews 