Review of Marc A. Criley, “The Paleoneirologist’s Dreams,” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 29-31 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
If you don’t know what a paleoneirologist is (and are frustrated that no dictionary seems to know either), that’s okay, because Criley deftly tells you everything you need to know in this weird, waspish, biting little story. I really enjoyed it!
Review of Ai Jiang, “Behind the Tree,” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 35-37 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a very simple story — mostly dialogue, a little bit of characterization. It left me feeling like there was something I was missing, that I didn’t quite catch its purpose or point.
Review of Léon Othenin-Girard, “Dark Night by the Sea” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 33 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: contemplation of suicide.
This story illustrates the best of what flash fic can be — incredibly compact and yet bursting with character and history.
Review of Sarah Little, “welcome, caller” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 25-28 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This story opens with two things I dislike: 2nd person POV, and phone calls where you’re put on hold with hold music. Despite these two things, the story was weirdly compelling, and definitely strange.
Review of Avra Margariti, “Visiting” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 19-23 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Calla and her mother, Lily, (both named by Lily’s mother), are on their way to visit their grandmother, in a story full of the complications of multi-generational relationships. Viewed from one angle, everything about this story is surreal, from the Chinese dragon airplane to the half-demon cat in the seat in from of Calla, but from another angle, it is as real and as ordinary as every day life. Margariti handled the juxtaposition deftly, making for a very satisfying read.
Review of Alyson Tait, “Mother of the Sea” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 16-17 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This brief, sparse story relies on the reader being familiar with selkie mythology. I like how the ambiguous ending leaves me uncertain whom I’m supposed to be happy for and whom I’m supposed to mourn.
Review of Celeste Rita Baker, “Mango Fire” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 12-15 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This was a beautifully told story of self-acceptance and familial support. Even dragons struggle with this sometimes!
Review of Srilatha Rajagopal, “Salt” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 6-9 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Death, the pandemic, abuse.
There is great depth in this quite short story, which is full of the complexities of familial relationships and how to navigate the death of a parent.
Review of Koji A. Dae, “Where True Power Lies” Tree and Stone 1 (2022): 4-5 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
This is a short, slight little story, with not much space for much to happen. Nevertheless, it manages to pack a strong message about power and the ways women can obtain it in its two pages.
SFF Reviews