REVIEW: “The Nightland Express” (EXCERPT) by J. M. Lee

Review of J. M. Lee, “The Nightland Express” (EXCERPT), Fantasy Magazine 84 (October 2022): 28-37 — Read here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This excerpt is chapters 3 and 4 of J. M. Lee’s 2022 novel published by Erewhon Books.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from reading an excerpt, especially one that apparently doesn’t start at the beginning (if I enjoy the story starting from chapter three, what does this say about the necessity of chapters one and two? I wondered). As it turns out, I didn’t feel the lack of those initial chapters; these two chapters were more than sufficient to introduce me to the two main characters (one whom we’re clearly meant to like and one whom we’re clearly meant to be exasperated by!), and get me interested in knowing more of their story. Will I pick up and read the whole book? I’m not sure. Did I enjoy the excerpt I read? Definitely. These two chapters were pretty much pure historical fiction, centered around the Pony Express in the 1850s, but there were a few hints dropped here and there that things might not be quite what they look like on the surface…

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REVIEW: “Quantum Eurydice” by Avi Burton

Review of Avi Burton, “Quantum Eurydice,” Fantasy Magazine 84 (October 2022): 15-16 — Read here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

It’s the first time I’m reviewing a story for a second time! I reviewed this earlier in the year when it was reprinted; I loved it then, and I still love it now. It rewards rereading and revisiting; I suspect it’s one I will come back to again and again. It’s just so good.

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REVIEW: “Sturgeon Moon Jam” by Jennifer Hudak

Review of Jennifer Hudak, “Sturgeon Moon Jam,” Flash Fiction Online 130 (July 2024): 20-23 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

The “folk tale” subgenre is one that isn’t as often seen in speculative fiction, but that’s what I’d classify this story as — not a retelling of an old story, but a genuinely new folk tale. It’s a sweet little story, perfect for summer time.

(First published in Fantasy Magazine December 2022).

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REVIEW: “Give a Smile at Ye Olde Photographie Shoppe” by Carol Scheina

Review of Carol Scheina, “Give a Smile at Ye Olde Photographie Shoppe,” Flash Fiction Online 131 (August 2024): 8-11 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Mal runs a photography shop, offering services no other shop does — a chance to get your photograph taken with a dragon! A real dragon — who happens to be Mal himself. He longs for a chance to be a real photographer and not just a gimmick, and this story offers him the chance to be so.

I loved the ending, which was sweet and happy, but something about the story also made me terribly sad, as it made me think of this story from a few months ago.

Humanity can be really awful sometimes. That’s why we need happy, sweet stories.

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REVIEW: “Thistle and Spice” by Dorianne Emmerton

Review of Dorianne Emmerton, “Thistle and Spice,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 249-268 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Content note: Fatphobia, misogyny, domestic abuse.

In an attempt to escape an increasingly loveless marriage, Darlene ends up going to Wednesday night witchcraft classes, and I, as the reader, end up really, really hating her husband. Bring on the spells so that he gets his comeuppance!

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REVIEW: “The Cierin-Croin” by Wendy Nikel

Review of Wendy Nikel, “The Cierin-Croin,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 237-246 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Prefatory note: The title of the story in the journal is given as I’ve spelled it here; however, in the story itself, the term is spelled “Cirein-cr&oagrave;in”; I’m not sure which is correct.

I’m not sure what to make of the story itself: It’s pretty simple and straightforward: Ailsa and Hendry’s grandfather warns them against seeking the Cirein-cròin; Hendry doesn’t listen; bad things ensue. When a story has everything laid out bare in the way this one does, no layers, no moral, no twist, it leaves me quite perplexed.

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REVIEW: “Grown From an Alder Wolf’s Skull” by Anna Madden

Review of Anna Madden, “Grown From an Alder Wolf’s Skull,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 175-187 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This rather fairy-tale like story comes with a rather fairy-tale like moral: Magic spells never do what you intend them to do, and some things must be accepted, not fought off.

Nothing earth-shattering: But not every story must change the world.

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