Review of Brandon Case, “Darkness, Blanket of My Eyes,” Flash Fiction Online 128 (May 2024): 14-17 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was billed as a horror story, but it’s actually a love story. (Though, it’s definitely horror-y enough that if this isn’t the genre for you, don’t read this. Also don’t read if attempted tentacle sex isn’t your thing.)
Review of J. Autumn Needles, “The Chicken’s Just Fine,” Flash Fiction Online 128 (May 2024): 11-13 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
What a strange little story. The FFO editors classified this as science fiction, but the only SF element I could find is the setting — one oblique reference to the characters having “brought those ideas from another world” (p. 11). The speculative elements are loosely defined enough that one could interpret them as either science or magic, a pleasing ambiguity which definitely helps the story along.
Review of Katie Kotulak, “Lord Mortedart’s Revenge,” Flash Fiction Online 128 (May 2024): 7-10 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
A deity, or a demon (it’s not clear which, though he’s clearly something supernatural), comes to the end of their 100 year imprisonment and returns to earth — only to find that no one knows who they are, and no one cares. It’s a hilarious premise, humoristically and also thoughtfully rendered. This was a good little fun story, full of piercing moments of brief heart-wrenching tugs.
This was Kotulak’s debut publication, and let me tell you: I sincerely hope it isn’t the last!
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.
SFF Reviews