Review of Deborah L. Davitt, “Aqua Vitae,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 76 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
If water is the source of our life, what kind of life would water on another planet be the source of? It’s the sort of question that is apt for turning into poetry, as Davitt does — though maybe those who haven’t studied 20th C analtyic philosophy and the question of whether water is H2O or not will appreciate the poem more than I did!
Review of Brian U. Garrison, “Domestic Tranquility,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 75 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This poem was a clever retelling of the fairy tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker, turned into a cutting commentary on modern capitalism.
Review of Lisa Timpf, “Run Run Renegade,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 69 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
I liked the story that this poem told, but I think I would have preferred it as a story, rather than as a poem.
Review of Darius Jones, “In the Dose,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 67 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This poem was a lovely little commentary on the ways in which one and the same thing can both kill us and give us life.
Review of Rachel Ayers, “They Came In Tiny Ships,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 59 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a sparse, spare little poem, giving away very little — including who “they” are, which I found a bit frustrating. But this verse was gorgeous:
They tried to fix us but we
liked the parts they thought broken.
Review of Bruce Boston, “Double Down on Darkness,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 56-57 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a dark and desperate poem, easy to read as a commentary on the current state of the US.
Review of Sam Lesek, “The Final Kiss,” Luna Station Quarterly 53 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a short, sweet, sad post-apocalyptic story, of the last man, the last dog, and the last kiss the Angel of Death will ever give.
Review of A. M. Young, “What They Do Not Tell you,” Luna Station Quarterly 53 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: An abusive relationship.
This was a powerful retelling of the story of Pygmalion — or rather, a first telling of Galatea‘s story.
Review of Anna Martino, “A Memory is Like a Talon,” Luna Station Quarterly 53 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Oh, this was a wonderful story — beautiful, visceral, raw, powerful. It’s about a shapeshifter and the one who loves them during WWI, and of their descendants, and it was just gorgeous.
I am now going out to seek out everything else Martino has written, because if they are half as good as this, they will be amazing.
Review of P. L. Watts, “The Twin’s Paradox,” Luna Station Quarterly 53 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a simple story: One of a pair of identical twins goes on a journey to Alpha Centauri, the other stays at home, and when the former returns they are no longer identical because the latter has aged. A good premise, but there wasn’t much more than that, no twist, no unexpected move, no deeper insight. Just a simple story.
SFF Reviews