SFF Reviews - Science Fiction and Fantasy

Review of welcome, caller by Sarah Little (1000 words) Tree And Stone, Issue 1, March 2022 : Donate , Read Issue or Read Online Conversations across time are always lovely to read. The protagonist finds a phone booth that lets her eavesdrop, so to speak, on her past or future self. The prose was quite nice, too. I wish this story was longer, I would have liked to read more detail about this world. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks    

Review of The State Street Robot Factory by Claire Humphrey (4891 words) Apex Magazine, Issue 136 : Purchase or Read Online   In a seemingly not too distant future, Darius is trying to make some money from his business, for his goal of getting himself prosthetic legs. He sells handmade robots, with detailed artistic flourishes. Everything revolves around fending for himself in a variety of ways, and it’s unfortunately accurate in its representation of daily reality for many. The portrayal of struggling to survive is heartbreaking, yet I especially appreciate that it ends the way it did, because it would have been easy to go in another direction - one which would not be as satisfying. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks      

Review of Every Shade of Healing by Taryn Frazier (994 words) Apex Magazine, Issue 136 : Purchase or Read Online A dark yet beautiful story about healing the pain and scars. It’s only once you heal that you can harness that experience and growth into something beautiful, something meaningful. A thoughtful, lovely one.   Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks

Review of Reproduction on the Beach by Rich Larson (999 words) Apex Magazine, Issue 136 : Purchase or Read Online A story that starts off with a couple in a secret relationship on a getaway. It slowly descends into horror, but there’s a lot left unexplored. However, it was still very well written. I have really enjoyed other works by this author, this just felt like it had more to explore.   Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks

Review of That Story Isn't the Story by John Wiswell (9033 words) Uncanny Magazine, Issue Forty-Three : Purchase or Read Online This Hugo and Nebula finalist and Locus Award winner novelette places a striking tale of trauma and recovery in an urban fantasy setting. The details are often left to our imagination, but as we have likely experienced in other stories, our imagination is quite capable of conjuring up horrors to fill the gaps. A supernatural creature holds sway over his familiars, symbolic of the less fortunate who are often preyed on by folks with bad intentions. Victims range from teens to immigrants to gay people - people in difficult situations who are likely to forget their own strength. And that brings us to the heart of the story - recovering your own strength. That journey towards recovery is exceedingly difficult to traverse, and it's made relatively manageable when you have a support system and a semblance of independence and the beginnings of a ...

Review of Bead Lizards by Emily O. Gravett (1000 words) SmokeLong Quarterly, Issue 79, March 2023 : Donate or Read Online I must admit this story is neither science fiction nor fantasy, but I loved it so much I wanted to share it. An absolutely lovely story - plot and prose both impeccable. It was something that really resonated with me, the feeling of getting older and on the way to jaded, while some part of me still loves and enjoys the little things, still had childlike delight about small joys. I love that part of me and I want to hold on to it as long as possible. The author takes that feeling, turns it into better fiction than I could possibly write, and leaves me with a smile and some more hope. One of the best short stories I’ve read in a while. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks    

Review of The Style of Time Travel by Jessie Atkin (575 words) Daily Science Fiction, April 2021 :  Read Online A world where time travel has been understood enough for the existence of time travel agents. These agents have the full support of the organization they work for, with departments dedicated to helping them. Like the costume department. Like the person who needs to put together era-appropriate outfits and accessories for them. A behind-the-scenes look at how much work goes into making sure time travelers do fit in. After all, we don’t want them burnt at the stake for being noticeably out of place, right? Love the tongue-in-cheek humor in this one. Support us on Ko-fi -  https://ko-fi.com/ohjustbooks