Review of Aimee Ogden, “Still No God of Mine,” Cossmass Infinities 8 (2022): 76-84 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Set in a richly varied and detailed world, this story mixed humor and pathos in equal measures. It is, at heart, a story of being an immigrant, of always being an outsider, and as an immigrant myself, I found it resonated a lot.
Review of Somto Ihezue, “Whole,” Cossmass Infinities 8 (2022): 48-55 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was an expertly crafted story, written with a strong, distinctive voice and in a lyrical, vivid style, and designed to draw shivers out of you. One of the gold star stories of this issue.
Review of Brian Wells, “Kaylee’s Backup,” Cossmass Infinities 8 (2022): 45-47 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Death.
A short, sweet story with a reminder about the importance of always having good back-ups.
(When was a last time you did a back-up? Now. Go do it now.)
Review of Don Mark Baldridge, “To the Singers of Madrigals,” Cossmass Infinities 8 (2022): 25-36 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
I found this story a bit humdrum, a generic SF spaceship setting on a generic, everlasting journey, all narrated in my least favorite POV (2nd). Without anything distinctive — the only character an unnamed ‘she’ — it was hard for me to become invested.
Review of John Wiswell, “Too Little, Too Little, Too Much,” Cossmass Infinities 8 (2022): 37-44 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Towards the end of the review.
This story made me wary from its opening lines, concerned that I was going to get something uncomfortable or horrific or depressing about children and the families that fail them.
Bad news: I was right to have been worried. Avoid this story if you don’t want to read about abuse (sexual, mental, physical, of children, of animals…).
I almost couldn’t finish it. I think I’m glad I did, that it was worth sticking it out to the end.
Review of Rich Larson, “You Are Born Exploding”, Clarkesworld Issue 183, December (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
Set in an indeterminate time in the future, this story focuses on the dichotomy of the life of the narrator versus the general public. She is rich and can afford security and expensive inoculations. Much of the general population cannot, and some become Shamblers.
She is intrigued by them, especially the ones who voluntarily become Shamblers, and leave the land to dive into the sea. Nobody knows where they go, but she is disillusioned with her existing life and doesn’t seem to mind the unknown. Especially since her life on land isn’t shaping up to be too great.
I loved the beautiful prose, and the pacing. It is a novelette, so a bit longer than your usual short story, but it never drags and is absolutely worth the read. The world-building and hints of how the world functions has so much depth that I’m sure the author has even more detail in his notes than we see in the story. The character development is strong, and the emotional resonance is powerful and heartbreaking. One of my favorite stories of the year!
Review of David Goodman, “Vegvísir”, Clarkesworld Issue 183, December (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
This story is set on a Mars that has been inhabited for generations now. There are very few Earthborn left – many of the humans here are locals, born and raised on Mars. An interesting concept to begin with, and this is just the background!
Loved the prose here. The author does a great job of creating atmosphere, be it the wilds and winds of Mars, or of the Iceland of Gunnar’s family history. A place his grandmother was from. She may have migrated to Mars, but she still loves her skyr and her mythology. Many of the inhabitants, like Gunnar, can trace their origin to Iceland. And with people and their personalities, there also comes a bit of history, story, and old magic.
Review of P.A. Cornell, “A Fall Backward Through the Hourglass,” Cossmass Infinities 8 (2022): 22-23 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
They always say that pregnancy changes you — but usually it’s not in the way that it changed the narrator of this story! The premise of the story wavers on the edge between fun/light-hearted and deeply, deeply sad. I thought it balanced on that line beautifully, and it was short and effective.
Review of Meghan Feldman, “Beneath the Earth Where the Nymphs Sleep”, Clarkesworld Issue 183, December (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
Rana is just trying to stay safe, running away from EdiTech and her own demons. But she cannot run too far from either of those things, as they’re embedded deeply within her psyche – both EdiTech and her personal feelings intertwined with and coming back to her sister and what she had to face.
Rana is strong but doesn’t know which way to turn, and it seems like she might be one of those people who “have greatness thrust upon them” – but also power in this case. However, when it really comes down to it, it’s her choice to make. Just as mercy and strength were her own choices to make, even when she could easily have been a less moral person. And that makes all the difference.
Review of Julio Angel Ortiz, “Sombra,” Cossmass Infinities 7 (2022): 58-81 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Modern-day slavery and human trafficking; nonconsensual prostitution.
One part good time-travel story, another part pointed social commentary on the early 21st century, “Sombra” more than rewarded the effort of getting through its length, absolutely nailing its gut-wrenching ending.
SFF Reviews