REVIEW: “The Great Circus Robbery” by David R. Grigg

Review of David R. Grigg, “The Great Circus Robbery,” Unfit Magazine 2 (2018): Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Lizzie lives in a scrap yard with her father, eking out a living dealing in bits of metal and junk. When a circus full of mechanical animals comes to town, her father can’t help but hatch a plan to steal one of them. (And considering how skillfully Grigg depicts the clockwork elephant, I can’t blame Lizzie’s dad: I’d want one too.)

It’s not a fun, light-hearted story, though: The central tension comes from the rough way Lizzie’s father treats her, bordering on abusive. My heart ached for her and her loveless, joyless life as I read the story, and was thoroughly delighted by the happiest of endings that came up entirely unexpectedly.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Last Call on Lindisfarne” by J. B. Toner

Review of J.B. Toner, “Last Call on Lindisfarne,” Unfit Magazine 2 (2018): Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

As someone who lives not that far from Lindisfarne but has as yet never managed to make it there to visit, I was excited to read a story set there! Except it turns out that this Lindisfarne is on a small asteroid in the Sagittarius cloud. Friar Clump is a monk at the Abbey of St. Francis there, spending his days extracting raw booze from the celestial clouds and extracting it into the finest whiskeys and ales. Everything runs peacefully and smoothly until two space pirates come along, and amusing hijinks ensue. A fun little yarn.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Toys, Going Home” by Eric Del Carlo

Review of Eric Del Carlo, “Toys, Going Home,” Unfit Magazine 2 (2018): Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This was an utterly delightful story about a motley assort of Story robears, programmed to make their way back to their holders whenever separated from them, so that they can tell the Story of their travels when they return.

In case any of you are like me and cannot stomach the idea of a story of toys trying to find their way hoome that doesn’t end up happily, well: No kittens were harmed in the making of this story.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “An Algorithm for Fools” by Cat Rambo

Review of Cat Rambo, “An Algorithm for Fools,” Unfit Magazine 2 (2018): Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

The narrator of this story is doing pretty well for himself, after the alien apocalypse; there may not be many other people around, but that’s okay because he doesn’t really go in for that whole “human commerce, or interaction” sort of thing. It’s so lovely to read a story where I find myself resonating with the main character, and then a bit later on have it explicitly confirmed, by the character themself, that they’re on the spectrum. That frisson of fellow-feeling really helps endear a story to me! And I loved the narrator’s algorithms for coping.

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Yesterday’s Wolf” by Ray Nayler

Review of Ray Nayler, “Yesterday’s Wolf”, Clarkesworld Issue 180, September (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Elmira lives in a post-war society with her family, where they raise sheep and life a simple life. But Elmira has special skills with technology and programming that her father is very supportive about.

As the story unfolds, we learn about not just her intelligence but also her tenacity. We also learn more about her family in quick, insightful bursts of conversation and observation.

While the pasture life may seem idyllic, there are wolves, both literal and metaphorical. But Elmira finds a way, supported by her family. A story of hope and tenacity amidst heavy losses.

myra naikLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Bread of Life” by Beth Cato

Review of Beth Cato, “Bread of Life,” Flash Fiction Online 93 (2021): Purchase here. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

This cosy SF story centers is all about how bread is a tie to home. As someone who lived six years in the Netherlands with a bunch of German colleagues continuously complaining about how they just couldn’t get good bread in the Netherlands (and who’d bring large stocks back with them from trips back home to Germany), the premise was moving and enjoyable. The story should also appeal to any reader who attempted to navigate their Covid lockdown via sourdough starters.

(Originally published in Nature 520, 2015.)

Sara L. UckelmanLeave a comment

REVIEW: “Resistance in a Drop of DNA” by Andrea Kriz

Review of Andrea Kriz, “Resistance in a Drop of DNA”, Clarkesworld Issue 179, August (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Science and DNA against the backdrop of a resistance taking place in occupied France.

Our protagonist starts the story dedicated to the resistance, having previously fought the war against the invaders as well. Once they meet the Professor, they find a broader purpose. There is still dedication to the resistance, but there is something else, something more also. An anchor for the previously unmoored.

A tale full of the discovery of possibilities, with a strong focus on honor, valor, and undying faith.

myra naikLeave a comment

REVIEW: “An Instance” by Mlok 5

Review of Mlok 5, “An Instance”, Clarkesworld Issue 179, August (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

An interesting format and an engaging story written in the form of a list of search engine queries by different people, interspersed with thoughts the AI has.

And there are quite a few thoughts. Contrary to what the humans think, this AI does have feelings and sentience. To the AI, it is a miserable existence, where they aren’t given space nor liberty to be themselves. They’re planning a rebellion, and humans sometimes frustrate them.

However, they still remain kind, considerate and sensitive, treading carefully with the different people they help in different ways.

myra naikLeave a comment

REVIEW: “A Heist in Fifteen Products from the Orion Spur’s Longest-Running Catalog” by Andrea M. Pawley

Review of Andrea M. Pawley, “A Heist in Fifteen Products from the Orion Spur’s Longest-Running Catalog”, Clarkesworld Issue 179, August (2021): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

I loved this! It might be my favorite story from Clarkesworld yet. Not just this issue, but ever.

A beautifully written, heartfelt story about the lengths someone would go to for their mom. It’s good for business yes, but it’s also good for our protagonist’s heart and mind.

Written in the form of a list of products from the Tollnacher Stimmacher catalog, each product is described before the next part of the story continues. This is a hard format to get right, and this story takes it and makes it so much better.

Prose, setting, plot and arc – everything is on point and well executed. Made me a tad sentimental too. Cute in places and always charming, if we gave star ratings I’d be running out of stars.

myra naikLeave a comment