Review of M. P. Rosalia, “Cocoon,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 40-47 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This story, of subterranean spinners, was entrancing, and the central conceit was a wonderful metaphor for the internet.
REVIEW: “Whiskey Mud” by Jonathan Olfert
Review of Jonathan Olfert, “Whiskey Mud,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 1-7 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Chalt is “a five-kilogram half-cybernetic brain capable of quick and easy transplant into specially printed bodies as per contract” — a distinctive choice of main character, even for an SF story. The bodies he (and Chalt is a “he,” no matter what body he wears) gets planted into are varied and diverse, more than just humanoid. In fact, there is a lot of time spent on describing the bodies, their limbs, their materials, their abilities, perhaps a bit more time than strictly speaking needed in what is otherwise a fairly short story. I could’ve done with a bit more story and a bit less description.
REVIEW: “User Warning” by Charlotte Ariel Finn
Review of Charlotte Ariel Finn, “User Warning,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 8-15 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
The premise of the story is a solid one: When we reach the point that parts of our brain go virtual, it’s inevitable that someone will hack into the backups and release into the internet. The story itself is off the fallout of this happening.
However, it’s a story that’s told in 2nd person, meaning it’s hard to latch on to a sympathetic character to empathise with. So for me, the execution didn’t quite live up to the premise.
REVIEW: “The Machines Had Accepted Me For So Long” by Angel Leal
Review of Angel Leal, “The Machines Had Accepted Me For So Long,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 62-64 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was an absolutely gorgeous poem about both masking and transitioning.
REVIEW: “A Robot Would Never Kiss You With Its Tongue” by Bobby Parrott
Review of Bobby Parrott, “A Robot Would Never Kiss You With Its Tongue,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 58 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This sort of felt like a case of “how many SF terms can I throw into this poem?” People who prefer poetry that is more about words than about story may like this poem; for me, I’m a bit more on the “story” side of things for this to really be my type of thing.
REVIEW: “To Sleep, Perchance” by Doug Lane
Review of Doug Lane, “To Sleep, Perchance,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 26-32 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
The premise of this story is “what will the legal system look like once it’s been entirely overtaken by cloud-based technologies?” It’s equal parts funny and cautionary, making for a nice enjoyable little story.
REVIEW: “Aqua Vitae” by Deborah L. Davitt
Review of Deborah L. Davitt, “Aqua Vitae,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 76 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
If water is the source of our life, what kind of life would water on another planet be the source of? It’s the sort of question that is apt for turning into poetry, as Davitt does — though maybe those who haven’t studied 20th C analtyic philosophy and the question of whether water is H2O or not will appreciate the poem more than I did!
REVIEW: “Run Run Renegade” by Lisa Timpf
Review of Lisa Timpf, “Run Run Renegade,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 69 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
I liked the story that this poem told, but I think I would have preferred it as a story, rather than as a poem.
REVIEW: “In the Dose” by Darius Jones
Review of Darius Jones, “In the Dose,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 67 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This poem was a lovely little commentary on the ways in which one and the same thing can both kill us and give us life.
REVIEW: “They Came In Tiny Ships” by Rachel Ayers
Review of Rachel Ayers, “They Came In Tiny Ships,” Radon Journal 2 (2022): 59 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a sparse, spare little poem, giving away very little — including who “they” are, which I found a bit frustrating. But this verse was gorgeous:
They tried to fix us but we
liked the parts they thought broken.
SFF Reviews 