REVIEW: “Secrets Locked in Metal Scrap” by Marie Croke

Review of Marie Croke, “Secrets Locked in Metal Scrap,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 137-157 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This story was not at all what I expected (even granted that I go into most stories with very few expectations). It started off with dinosaurs, and I was rather leery: I’m usually pretty good at suspending disbelief, but human/dinosaur stories are a type I struggle with. But Croke managed to build a story intriguing enough for me to want to keep reading, and then fed me a twist that I could never have predicted, and in the end made it easy for me to suspend that disbelief.

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REVIEW: “Resurrecting Tessa” by Nicole Walsh

Review of Nicole Walsh, “Resurrecting Tessa,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 73-83 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This story of death and resurrection defies clear classification; it’s setting feels like SF, but it is religion, rather than science or magic, that is the driving force. But it was religion distinct enough from any I’m familiar with to make me wish I got more details, more information, during the story itself. As it was, at the end, I wasn’t quite sure what the import of everything was.

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REVIEW: “The Brotherhood of Montague St. Video” by Thomas Ha

Review of Thomas Ha, “The Brotherhood of Montague St. Video”, Clarkesworld Issue 212, May (2024): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Set in a not too distant dystopian future, this story follows an unnamed protagonist who finds a dead book. A real one, with no pixelated layer on the pages, no swiping to increase the brightness. Just paper.

That’s rare in this world, and the book itself is so different from the kinds of books generally available. Present day books have their endings sanitized, plot lines changed, and audience acceptance maximized by following tropes and guidelines. That’s why this one stands out, attracts attention.

I always love to see stories of people finding their inner strength and purpose. Plus, the character arc and world building in this story is a treat. Definitely recommend.

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REVIEW: “37 Seconds to Say Goodbye” by R. J. Howell

Review of R. J. Howell, “37 Seconds to Say Goodbye,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 15-22 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This is a quick, staccato story, told in short scenes, with short paragraphs, and (mostly) short sentences. All of this serves to underscore the sense of urgency already imparted by the title. While reading the story certainly takes more than 37 seconds, it certainly doesn’t feel like it. All aspects of this story are interlocked with each other just perfectly, to make it both effective and novel. Much fun to read!

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REVIEW: “In Which Caruth is Correct” by Carolyn Zhao

Review of Carolyn Zhao, “In Which Caruth is Correct”, Clarkesworld Issue 212, May (2024): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

This story brings us to a world where time loops exist, taking you back to moments of singularity. These moments are often moments of regret, the regret of making the wrong choices. Many step in and don’t return, with the strength of belief that maybe a different decision would make life better.

Our protagonist has many of these time loops show up, and works through it with the help of meds and tempo-therapy. The vivid descriptions just add to the joy of this story, which is already an enjoyable experience because of its concept and world building.

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REVIEW: “A Pin Drops” by Kurt Pankau

Review of Kurt Pankau, “A Pin Drops,” Flash Fiction Online 129 (June 2024): 24-27 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Pankau nails the set-up of this story: An opening paragraph that has an easy, obvious interpretation, followed quickly on by a statement that makes you go “wait, WHAT?” and reread the first paragraph again in a totally new light. From then, I was hooked. The premise is one that superficially seems amusing, but in truth wrung a good deal of sympathy and emotional connection from me.

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REVIEW: “A Face Full of Nations” by Yelena Crane

Review of Yelena Crane, “A Face Full of Nations,” Flash Fiction Online 129 (June 2024): 20-23 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

For such a strange premise — the new fashion fad is to sculpt a nationscape upon your face — this story felt like a weird mix of things I’d already read, sort of a cross between Horton Hears a Who and another story I recently reviewed here, Holly Schofield’s “What You Sow”. This one, though, is much more dark and tragic than the other two, no happy ending here.

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REVIEW: “Please Click” by Lettie Prell

Review of Lettie Prell, “Please Click,” Flash Fiction Online 127 (April 2024): 11-13 — Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This story was a thoughtful take on human-robot symbiosis, mostly hopeful, rather than depressing. It also had an element of humor that particularly tickled me; pretty sure anyone who has spent enough time on the internet will know what part I meant once they get to it (I’d rather not spoil in the review, as it’s intrinsic to the story!).

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