REVIEW: “This Is an Emergency Broadcast” by R.S.A. Garcia

Review of R.S.A. Garcia, “This Is an Emergency Broadcast”, Clarkesworld Issue 238, July (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Oh my. What a story. This one will surely be collecting some nominations, I think!

I have been reading this very slowly amidst a busy few weeks, and it was so so worth it. 

Even when I only got to read a few minutes at a time, it was immediately arresting. So many moments in this story that evoked many different kinds of reactions and feelings in me. 

At the end of the story, when I tell you I got literal chills and scrolled all the way back up to check something again (you’ll know what I mean if you read the story).. this one was a pure pleasure to read. 

Do yourself a favour and read it. 

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REVIEW: “All Under Heaven” by Marie Brennan

Review of Marie Brennan, “All Under Heaven,” Adventitious no. 2 (Apr 2026): 9-26 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

I loved the way this piece of historical fiction went back and forth between omniscient viewpoint, telling the truth that everyone knows, and an unreliable narrator, questioning the truth that everyone knows. It was a very effective technique that made me wonder just what was fact, and what was fiction — a question any historian knows we can never really know the answer to.

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REVIEW: “Macaroni Art in the Age of Filtration” by Ryan Cole

Review of Ryan Cole, “Macaroni Art in the Age of Filtration”, Clarkesworld Issue 235, April (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

It is difficult to breathe. In this story set in the indeterminate future. 

But also in many places around the world even today. 

Reading this story about gritty air and noxious gases and particulate matter will likely make you want to take deep breaths of gratitude. 

More than once I was sharply reminded of this setting already being a reality for many. Many things in our world today reflect dystopian stories in various ways.. but the power of love and humanity is always what makes these stories so impactful. 

Humans can do many curious, difficult, strong things – all for a sliver of hope.

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REVIEW: “Recording of Professor Elizabeth Boucher’s Opening Lecture on Death Ages Novels, University of Presque Isle, March 32, 2667.” by Stacie Turner

Review of Stacie Turner, “Recording of Professor Elizabeth Boucher’s Opening Lecture on Death Ages Novels, University of Presque Isle, March 32, 2667,” Adventitious no. 1 (Feb/Mar 2026): 10-18 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Content note: References to rape.

This is the story of every archivist’s worst nightmare: Late 20th/early 21st C literature and culture lost for ever because we thought electronic storage was stable and accessible. It’s also the story of at least one archivist’s best dream: That centuries from now, what our ancestors will remember of our society is fanfiction. I adored this story, and want to attend all of Dr. Boucher’s lectures.

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REVIEW: “Bend Like the Palm” by David D. Levine

Review of David D. Levine, “Bend Like the Palm”, Clarkesworld Issue 234, March (2026): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

This story is about a lot of things, and many of those are quite timely.

The worldbuilding was great. I find that a lot of times when the worldbuilding is good and you can tell the writer has spent quite some time on it, the plot suffers for it. As a reader, it makes me appreciate the world, but not the plot progression or the storyline. This story does not have these issues.

A thoughtful story with many good elements – a human story in a sci-fi setting, as good sci-fi stories tend to be.

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