SFF Reviews - Science Fiction and Fantasy

Review of The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society by T. Kingfisher (2803 words) Uncanny Magazine, Issue Twenty-Five : Purchase or Read Online A fun story that takes fae-human relationships and makes it all topsy-turvy. Fae have a longstanding history of seducing innocent maidens and then leaving them to pine after them, but Rose MacGregor is a little different. She has no reservations about what she really wants, and ends up having an unexpected effect on them all. And so all the fae who tried to help her find her lost sheep were affected by her instead of the other way round. A really fun story about the imbalance of power, Rose and her agency, and a yearly meeting of the society to drink and commiserate. Cheers to Rose! Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks

  Review of The Backwards Princess of Unusual Parentage by Allison Mulder (3054 words) Luna Station Quarterly, Issue 047 : Purchase or Read Online The Queen has a magic mirror, but wait - this story is more about the mirror than the Queen! A very strong and yet vulnerable tale of the magic mirror and how it came to be the way it is. Reminds you of how everyone has so much depth than you usually assume. People have rich, fulfilling lives, with their own wishes, opinions and priorities and so does this mirror and the man within it. I especially loved how it ended. So much meaning and emotion in those few lines. I had goosebumps! Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks    

  Review of The Shoe Shopper by Sara Siddiqui Chansarkar (893 words) Flash Fiction Online, April 2021 : Purchase or Read Online A poignant tale about a man who's trying to buy good quality shoes for his children, to try and encourage them to aspire to a better life. But there's an undercurrent of sadness through the tale, with a heartbreaking conclusion. Very well-written.   Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks

  Review of Packing by T. Kingfisher (1169 words) Uncanny Magazine, Issue Seventeen : Purchase or Read Online What can you take with you? The world is changing. I assumed it was about climate change, but your interpretation may vary. Point is, the world will never be the same again, and the narrator and listener must choose what to bring with them, and what are the things they're ready to carry. We can see glimpses of the narrator's personality - matter of fact but sensitive and emotional, resigned to the situation but trying to do their best. The narrative choice to address the story directly to the reader has a huge effect on readers and the feelings it evokes within them. It is important to understand the difference this makes to the story. Maybe this is because I'm trying to be a better writer and hence sometimes end up reading stories from that perspective, but I really appreciated the difference this made. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustboo...

Review of A Girl Forages for Mushrooms by Ruth Joffre (931 words) Flash Fiction Online, September 2021 : Purchase or Read Online I am amazed at how brilliantly writers can put together so much in a thousand words or under. Flash fiction continues to surprise me, and stories like this one is why. Starting off sweet with a father-daughter weekend bonding ritual. They go hiking, foraging for mushrooms. Slowly, we discover that the daughter is a secret-keeper for her father. The secrets are increasing in magnitude, but she understands him. Disturbing, but still full of love.  Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks   

Review of AITA for Using My Side Hustle to Help My Boyfriend Escape the Clutches of Death? by Aimee Picchi (998 words) Flash Fiction Online, October 2021 : Purchase or Read Online I love that this story takes the form of a Reddit post. I find that this type of narrative choice often pack a punch and showcases different characters and thought processes that wouldn't normally be possible in a flash piece. Here, it comes through in the form of comments, replies, edits and updates on the original post, and each successive update adds some more drama and flair to the story. Somehow this tiny tale packs in drama, herbalism, the undead, sustainability, pets, necromancy, Reddit, climate change, social media influencers, the FBI and lifestyle blogging. I adored this story. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks   

  Review of The Good Girl by Jennifer Lee Rossman (633 words) Luna Station Quarterly, Issue 047 : Purchase or Read Online A story about transitions of different kinds. A bit heavy on the allegories but I enjoyed the bright, happy descriptions, even while gore and sadness cast occasional shadows. Overall, a tale of strength in sadness and learning to love yourself, whatever you may be. Even if it takes a while to accept yourself. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks