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!
Review of Alexandra T. Singer, “Date Night,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 189-203 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
The opening setting of this story is so mundane that I knew from almost the first line that something was up — something that turned out to be absolutely fascinating and unexpected, and SO sweet, and then so sad. A real reward of a story to read.
Review of Mac Bowers, “Brave Stupid Creatures,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 97-104 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Animal killing.
I enjoyed the thread of queer discovery and joy that wound through this story, even if the rest of it wasn’t exactly my thing.
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 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 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 of Mar Vincent, “Celestial Bodies,” Small Wonders no. 11 (May 2024): 7-9 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
For all the stars and astronomical arrangements that show up in this story, I’ve placed it firmly in the “fantasy” category, even though it’s hard to articulate what this story is about. But it is a lovely little glittery thing, worth reading for its sweet ending.
Review of Michael Swanwick, “Timothy: An Oral History”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.
A layered piece with a great format; it explores an all-female, utopian society, and what happens when a biological man comes into existence in such a society. An intriguing idea, elevated by the oral history narrative format that was able to incorporate so many different points of view into a short story.
Gender norms and expectations, of course, look different in this society. When a biological male upends the status quo in this utopia, the cracks start to show. An interesting examination of societal norms, and a great way to wrap up this issue.
Review of JM Cyrus, “You and Me, Here and There, Now and Then and When,” Luna Station Quarterly 57 (2024): 140-154 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
What a fun little story this was, with undercurrents of time travel and split personal identity, but ultimately, just a comforting little love story.
Review of Emily Yu, “The Angelus Machine,” Luna Station Quarterly 57 (2024): 212-221 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
If you’re looking for a slightly uncomfortable story about love between a human and an AI, this is a story for you.
SFF Reviews