Review of Lora Gray, “Sever,” Small Wonders no. 4 (October 2023): 34-38 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This poem packs a punch, from alien pregnancy to the aftermath of abuse to space travel — it’s a lot.
REVIEW: “Drunken Supernova” by Keira Perkins
Review of Keira Perkins, “Drunken Supernova,” Small Wonders no. 4 (October 2023): 21-23 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
One of the things that Small Wonders does very well is speculative poetry, and this one is no exception. Perkins’ poem is long enough to be a flash fic piece in itself, but it is very clearly poetry and not just prose that’s been formatted with strange line breaks. It has a tight, clear voice, blending reality and unreality exquisitely, with a sucker punch at the end.
REVIEW: “The Road” by Ernest O. Ògúnyẹmí
Review of Ernest O. Ògúnyẹmí, “The Road,” Fantasy Magazine 84 (October 2022): 25 — Read here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This is a poem of longing and loss, with a hint of hope at the end.
REVIEW: “Wolves’ Heaven” by Abu Bakr Sadiq
Review of Abu Bakr Sadiq, “Wolves’ Heaven,” Fantasy Magazine 84 (October 2022): 24– Read here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
There is a lovely ambiguity to this poem, which manages in a short space of time to explore an unusual character. I’m not normally one for werewolves, but this was interesting.
REVIEW: “Swan’s Song” by Colleen Anderson
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: “Kannaki Contemplates the Fire in Her Breast” by Tehnuka
Review of Tehnuka, “Kannaki Contemplates the Fire in Her Breast,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 21-22 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Sumptuous narrative poetry stuffed with religious history and gorgeous imagery — really lovely!
REVIEW: “Music of the Seraphim” by Angel Leal
Review of Angel Leal, “Music of the Seraphim,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 11-13 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This is now the third poem by Leal that I’ve reviewed at SFFReviews — and let me tell you, I have loved every single one. I hope they’ve got a poetry collection in the works, because I’d love to read (or publish!) it.
REVIEW: “I Kissed a Dragon” by Sharang Biswas
Review of Sharang Biswas, “I Kissed a Dragon,” Fantasy Magazine 83 (September 2022): 29-30 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This poem had some nice turns of phrases, but overall I felt like it was lacking in substance, with just a few too many stereotypes.
REVIEW: “The Hole is the Beginning” by Angel Leal
Review of Angel Leal, “The Hole is the Beginning,” Fantasy Magazine 83 (September 2022): 27-28 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This lovely poem touched me, particularly some of the lines towards the end:
These children may not feel connected,
but it’s their otherness that connects them.
It’s about motherhood and otherness and how in the best of worlds the children we love, we love whoever they are.
REVIEW: “Another Cemetery Wedding” by Belicia Rhea
Review of Belicia Rhea, “Another Cemetery Wedding,” Small Wonders no. 7 (January 2024): 29-30 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was an absolutely delightful little poem, about never-ending love, and myth, and fairy tales, and it just made me very happy to read it.
SFF Reviews 