REVIEW: “Rain Town” by Mary J. Daley

Review of Mary J. Daley, “Rain Town,” Luna Station Quarterly 56 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Lyn and her parents live in a Rain Town — something we, the reader, never quite find out what it is, and yet Daley gives just enough details to allow us the piece together an intricate backstory to this world that feels both incredibly familiar and yet altogether foreign. Is it a vision of what our world might be in the future? Is it an alternate past? Or is it entirely it’s own thing? Again, none of these questions are answered, but instead provide a backdrop for what is, at the heart of it, a simple story: A stranger comes to town, works for room and board, and when he is able to, leaves again. Yet there was also so much more to it than that, making for an extremely effective and satisfying read.

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REVIEW: “Such Is My Idea Of Happiness” by David Goodman

Review of David Goodman, “Such Is My Idea Of Happiness”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A very timely story about wealth and power concentrated in the hands of a few. Actually, there are very few instances where such a story would not be timely!

When you’re too tired, you have no energy to think. Without original thought, you cannot uplift yourself.

This is true for oppressed and exploited people across the globe, across time. This particular story is set in a future London, with the city and the world being so different from what it is today, and heartbreakingly similar in a few terrible ways.

Stepping out of your comfort zone may bring you peace and contentment, but it’s so hard to step out. Even if your current situation is not ideal, it’s still better than an unknown future, right? There is fear and the people with power exploit that fear. It’s an age old game, and the powerful players keep winning.

But sometimes, there’s a revolution. And sometimes, the good guys might just win.

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REVIEW: “The Blaumilch” by Lavie Tidhar

Review of Lavie Tidhar, “The Blaumilch”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A lovely story of self discovery and finding joy. Or is it a science fiction story about future generations living on Mars, and how humans adjusted to life there? Or maybe it’s about how things change so much, but still remain the same in so many ways?

This story is about all those things. It is also about a canal and a man who digs it. Whatever perspective you choose to read this story from, it’s going to be enjoyable.

If you let it just unfold in all it’s glory, you’re in for a treat. Such depth and heart in this one.

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REVIEW: “To Persist, However Changed” by Aimee Ogden

Review of Aimee Ogden, “To Persist, However Changed,” Small Wonders no. 3 (September 2023): 27-28 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This was a very sciencey science fiction, full of botanical terms. It’s tricky to take plants and make them into sympathetic characters, and I struggled a bit with getting past the jargon. But maybe someone more familiar with the vocabulary would enjoy the story more!

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REVIEW: “Possibly Just About A Couch” by Suzanne Palmer

Review of Suzanne Palmer, “Possibly Just About A Couch”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

An absolutely beautiful story of a couch. It just was, it always was. With shades of the iconic Douglas Adams, I loved every sentence, every description, and every transition in here.

I have previously reviewed and loved other Suzanne Palmer stories, so I already knew it was going to be amazing. It was even better than that.

A concise history and future of the universe as we know it, from an exceedingly interesting and unique point of view.

I have only good things to say: read it as soon as you can! It’s only a little more than 2000 words, and more than worth the time spent reading it.

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REVIEW: “Babirusa” by Arula Ratnakar

Review of Arula Ratnakar, “Babirusa”, Clarkesworld Issue 185, February (2022): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A beautifully engaging novella with so many elements, twists and surprises that I was reluctant to put it down whenever real life called.

Roop and Kabir are the brother-sister duo I never knew I needed in fiction. The richly layered portrayal of their relationship adds so much depth to the story.

I was especially impressed by the level of scientific detail, as well as the character’s well-rounded and interesting personalities. Would definitely recommend this story, especially if you’re interested in the idea of consciousness and individuality. Especially as seen through the lens of a human society farther advanced than us – one with the skillset to program and modify a human being.

This is going to be one of my most recommended stories for people wanting to explore the world of short SFF.

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REVIEW: “Skip, Hop, Jump” by Amanda Bintz

Review of Amanda Bintz, “Skip, Hop, Jump,” Luna Station Quarterly 55 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

I do like a good time-travel story, though I’m often disappointed by them. Bintz’s story was not disappointing; I really enjoyed how she took the spatial metaphor for time travel seriously, and used the resulting images as a red thread tying the whole story together. The story itself is full of serious moments, of childhood illness and trauma, but also moments of light.

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REVIEW: “Sleep Well, My Prince” by Lyndsey Croal

Review of Lyndsey Croal, “Sleep Well, My Prince,” Luna Station Quarterly 55 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Ten years ago, the ship Pippa’s sister Rosa was on lost contact in the Kuiper Belt and nothing has been found of the ship since. Now Pippa captains her own ship, and is always on the lookout for an answer to what happened to her sister. When she finds it, it is far more complicated than anyone, including the reader, could have guessed.

The story had a very Star Trek feel to it, and I mean this in a most complimentary way — stable, believable sci fi telling a good story about characters that I liked.

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REVIEW: “The Direction of Clocks” by Jess Levine

Review of Jess Levine, “The Direction of Clocks”, Clarkesworld Issue 185, February (2022): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Time-related stories strongly appeal to me, irrespective of actual plot. In this story, the protagonist travels in a starship solo, through time dilation. This means that she spent three years on the starship, while almost a century has passed in earth years. She left her friends, family, and relationship to escape through time.

**Spoiler:**
Once she reaches a space station, a stop on the way to continuing her journey rimward, she learns that relativistic journeys are no longer allowed, and she would have to spend the rest of her days on the space station.
**Spoiler ends**

Her journey of growth and self awareness make up a large part of the story, but I would have really liked it if the story explored more of her “why”, or how she grows through different situations. Or showcase her maturity. Not all characters need to be likable, so I’m not going to count that against this story.

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