REVIEW: “De Profundis, a Space Love Letter” by Bella Han

Review of Bella Han, “De Profundis, a Space Love Letter”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

“Dear Yuwen,

This is the last night of your existence.”

When a story starts like this, you can’t help but continue. Can I call it a space opera about stories? I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this one. As long as feelings exist, there will always remain a very real need for good storytelling. The flood of AI-generated stories aren’t cutting it, as it turns out. A human tries to change that.

An enchantingly grand novelette.

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REVIEW: “Down To The Root” by Lisa Papademetriou

Review of Lisa Papademetriou, “Down To The Root”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Across time, space, and civilization, feelings remain the same – often simultaneously all consuming and incomprehensible. Sometimes what drives you is simply a determined feeling, and sometimes that simple feeling is the most important thing of all.

A story about space battles and planets with cyclical time. Also a story about relationships, friendship, and a sense of faith and hope.

I also feel like Luriel is the kind of friend everyone should aspire to be. True to her duty and her friend, while traversing the confusing journey of life.

Two things to remember from this story – there are a million ways to die, and taking risks gives you strength.

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REVIEW: “Love, Happiness, and All the Things You May Not Be Destined For” by Lindz McLeod

Review of Lindz McLeod, “Love, Happiness, and All the Things You May Not Be Destined For,” Assemble Artifacts 2 (2022): 62-96 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

I know it’s still early 2024, but this story is an exceptionally strong candidate for being my story of 2024. The conceit is novel: Georgia meets up regularly with other versions of herself, at different ages, both learning how her life will turn out from the older versions and in turn teaching the younger ones the same. And the twist(s! plural!) at the end are glorious and unexpected and perfect.

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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: “A Gardener Teaches His Son to Enrich the Soil and Plan for the Future” by Jennifer Hudak

Review of Jennifer Hudak, “A Gardener Teaches His Son to Enrich the Soil and Plan for the Future,” Small Wonders no. 3 (September 2023): 20 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Every avid gardener is familiar with the scourge that are caterpillars and slugs; but the titular gardener here teaches his son not only how to deal a far greater pest: zombies! The advice is equal parts gross and heartwarming, and makes for a sweet little story.

(First published in Triangulation: Habitats, 2021.)

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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: “Good News, Bad News” by Rhonda Parrish

Review of Rhonda Parrish, “Good News, Bad News,” Luna Station Quarterly 55 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Content note: References to addiction.

This was ostensibly a story of post-apocalyptic Drumheller, but I found it weirdly idealised and utopian. Ty, one of the secondary characters, has a background in “science,” and hence is able to design hydroponics, make use of laboratories, build solar-powered systems — quite the collection of skills beyond the ken of most of the scientists I know! Papillon, the main character, takes on the role of ruler of a metaphorical fiefdom with ease. Everything seems to work out just a little too well and a little too easily for everyone involved. But I did like the sentiment expressed at the ending — almost enough to redeem the story.

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