SFF Reviews - Science Fiction and Fantasy

Review of Redbean by Dixon March (4530 words) Luna Station Quarterly, Issue 051 : Purchase or Read Online Set in an unhappy world with an unhappy protagonist named Larron, it starts off with her looking for food to nourish her during her pregnancy. She picks up a box of beans, and I think it is clear pretty quick that it is the speculative element of the story. While I was anticipating something perhaps happier than her current existence, this story did not immediately go in that direction! It got even darker, but the prose and descriptions were vivid throughout. Even though it got harsher and more grim than the story was at the beginning, I could see her Larron finding pockets of joy and being able to nourish herself and her little one. Which is different from when the story started, so I suppose it was sort of happy after all, just not in any way I would have assumed. As much as I like standard SFF tropes, I do enjoy stories that turn those tropes upside down. Again, thi...

Review of Five Tips for Sealing Away an Ancient Evil by Ann LeBlanc (936 words) If There's Anyone Left, Issue 1, November 2020 : Purchase or Read Online A fun, fantasy laden read about the important of sticking to your contracts and having SOME ethics. Plus anyone who has ever worked as a freelancer or in a client-facing role will definitely relate to most of this - but hopefully not the part about dragons and powerful ancient amulets! A quick, fun read. Send it to your friends if they have clients they don't like! Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks    

Review of Three Acts of Self-Actualization by Lisa Muschinski (628 words) SmokeLong Quarterly, Issue 77, September 2022 : Donate or Read Online A story that takes on gender identity and the assumptions that surround it, even when you're not particularly trying to be coded in a particular way. The three-act script was reversed, which was a great stylistic and narrative choice. The usage of stock script characters to describe a person, trait or social situation made it beautifully descriptive with just a few words - also showing how much the traits of those characters are embedded in popular consciousness. It also showed how we often follow the same tropes or scripts in real life. Beautifully illuminating story on so many levels. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks  

Review of The Best Latkes on the Moon by Lauren Ring (996 words) If There's Anyone Left, Issue 1, November 2020 : Purchase or Read Online Second person narratives are difficult to pull off, but it was done so beautifully here. It was a new (or at least new-to-me) concept of personal growth happening simultaneously with growth in cooking a recipe. Sounds so simple now, but it is one of those things that's hard to do well. Even apart from that, it's a lovely combination of ideas that seems to go together so well, and I love the quiet strength and perseverance throughout the story. Our protagonist grows with the recipe, and it helps her become more of herself. All while cooking latkes on the moon. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks    

Review of Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience™ by Rebecca Roanhorse (5800 words) Apex Magazine, Issue 99 : Purchase or Read Online This story won a Hugo and a Nebula! It's an extremely interesting story with a second person narrative. As the story continues, the second person narrative choice starts to make it even more engaging and immersive. Jesse Turnblatt (but Trueblood at work because "authentic") is You, and you work at a VR company that Tourists visit for an "authentic Indian" experience. Jesse is indigenous, but the experiences they create for visitors is anything but. Based on Hollywood movies and a convenient version of Indian life, it's simply a place he works a job for money - no other deeper connection to his actual heritage, because the Experiences aren't based on reality to begin with. A white man comes for an Experience, and says he needs a friend. Jesse does too. So he gives him the benefit of doubt. All he wants is ...

Review of It Is a Beautiful Day on the Internet, and You Are a Horrible Bot by Aimee Ogden (975 words) If There's Anyone Left, Issue 1, November 2020 : Purchase or Read Online A bot gone wild, and it has a sense of humor. And hot dogs are funny. So is deleting and/or releasing confidential information. But the bot isn't malicious, it just knows (from extensive research) that these things are funny! It's a pretty smart bot, and havoc is especially fun! I loved this story so much. I'm also writing a lot of exclamations - but don't blame me, I was just influenced by the #BotDog! Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks    

Review of For Want of Milk by Grace P. Fong (4319 words) Uncanny Magazine, Issue Forty-Three : Purchase or Read Online A mother and daughter living a hard life, living off the land and a bit of magic. The Frontier is harsh but sometimes there's beauty, and so are their lives, and such is the story. With lovely description, fantastic prose and strong characters, the inherent power of women shines through in this tale. In the olden days - and sometimes even today - women cannot directly take a stand or be confrontational. But sometimes a little magic helps.   Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks