REVIEW: “Macaroni Art in the Age of Filtration” by Ryan Cole

Review of Ryan Cole, “Macaroni Art in the Age of Filtration”, Clarkesworld Issue 235, April (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

It is difficult to breathe. In this story set in the indeterminate future. 

But also in many places around the world even today. 

Reading this story about gritty air and noxious gases and particulate matter will likely make you want to take deep breaths of gratitude. 

More than once I was sharply reminded of this setting already being a reality for many. Many things in our world today reflect dystopian stories in various ways.. but the power of love and humanity is always what makes these stories so impactful. 

Humans can do many curious, difficult, strong things – all for a sliver of hope.

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REVIEW: “You Are Invited to Our SPRING CELEBRATION” by Thoraiya Dyer

Review of Thoraiya Dyer, “You Are Invited to Our SPRING CELEBRATION”, Clarkesworld Issue 234, March (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A story that’s beautifully wild and familiar at the same time. 

One of those stories where you know the worldbuilding has been done so thoughtfully, yet the plot itself was not ignored in service of it. 

I really enjoyed the narrator’s voice and personality; in my opinion it was the cherry on top that made the story what it is.

Such a pleasure to read.

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REVIEW: “Person, Place, Thing” by Marissa Lingen

Review of Marissa Lingen, “Person, Place, Thing”, Clarkesworld Issue 234, March (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A story about a colony, with many subcolonies. One of those, the translator subcolony, interacts with the first humans they’ve ever come across. 

They are all one, and they are all united. This story explores how these two very vastly different kinds of creatures interact. 

It’s way more beautiful than that, I’m definitely not doing justice. 

Such a pleasure to read.

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REVIEW: “Bend Like the Palm” by David D. Levine

Review of David D. Levine, “Bend Like the Palm”, Clarkesworld Issue 234, March (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

This story is about a lot of things, and many of those are quite timely.

The worldbuilding was great. I find that a lot of times when the worldbuilding is good and you can tell the writer has spent quite some time on it, the plot suffers for it. As a reader, it makes me appreciate the world, but not the plot progression or the storyline. This story does not have these issues.

A thoughtful story with many good elements – a human story in a sci-fi setting, as good sci-fi stories tend to be.

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REVIEW: “Crabs Don’t Scream” by H.H. Pak

Review of H.H. Pak, “Crabs Don’t Scream”, Clarkesworld Issue 229, October (2025): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Exceedingly well written; this novelette was an experience. One worth having.
The vast complexity of everything it covers, the perspectives, choices, feelings, being different in some sort of way. Love. All kinds of love. Simply love. Oh yeah, and science fiction.  

Everything about this piece is simply beautiful. The kind of stories that remind me why reading is such a rewarding hobby.

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REVIEW: “Wire Mother” by Isabel J. Kim

Review of Isabel J. Kim, “Wire Mother”, Clarkesworld Issue 229, October (2025): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Dystopian stories set in an indeterminate future are, quite truly, my jam. A great story about perspectives and how societal expectations shape what’s “normal” and what isn’t. I also liked the connection to neurodiverse experiences – there’s nothing wrong about being different. The context for this connection was exceedingly lovely, and makes it one of those stories that become an immediate must-share.

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REVIEW: “Missing Helen” by Tia Tashiro

Review of Tia Tashiro, “Missing Helen”, Clarkesworld Issue 226, July (2025): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

If you had a clone, would you wonder about them? If you were a clone, would you want to know more about your origin? 

Both sides of the story seem interesting, and I’m happy this story gave us all that and more. 

A tightly woven tale of these two people, so similar and so different. The prose added a lot to the story; this is something I always appreciate about Clarkesworld stories. They’ve got a beautiful way with words.

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REVIEW: “Through These Moments, Darkly” by Samantha Murray

Review of Samantha Murray, “Through These Moments, Darkly”, Clarkesworld Issue 223, April (2025): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Reading this story on a cold spring day hits different. The “you” point of view for narration was a choice, and I’m happy to say it made sense for the story. Lovely words throughout – the prose was just as awesome as the plot. An evocative piece of writing.

This story is a hopeful delight.

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