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heniaakbar's review against another edition
3.75
For Want of Milk by Grace P. Fong
So weird. So this mean man has to turn to a cow because he's mean? Is it supposed to be girl power story? 1 ⭐
The Stop After the Last Station by A. T. Greenblatt
This might be an allegory for "journey to death" or a journey in general. There's something haunting about this story and I like it. 3.5 ⭐
That Story Isn’t the Story by John Wiswell
It's a fascinating short read about searching for freedom, after being confined and subjugated for a long time. I love how the "vague threats" makes everything seems to be the protagonist's fault, when it's not.
The ending is unclear tho, thus less one star for it. 4 ⭐
The North Pole Workshops by Mari Ness
This is hilariously on point regarding every customer service landline I've ever called lol. They never help, this landline. 5 ⭐
White Rose, Red Rose by Rachel Swirsky
Secret code used amidst a war. It's heartbreaking. 4 ⭐
For All Those Who Sheltered Here by Del Sandeen
A wholesome story told from a tree POV. 5 ⭐
So weird. So this mean man has to turn to a cow because he's mean? Is it supposed to be girl power story? 1 ⭐
The Stop After the Last Station by A. T. Greenblatt
This might be an allegory for "journey to death" or a journey in general. There's something haunting about this story and I like it. 3.5 ⭐
That Story Isn’t the Story by John Wiswell
It's a fascinating short read about searching for freedom, after being confined and subjugated for a long time. I love how the "vague threats" makes everything seems to be the protagonist's fault, when it's not.
The ending is unclear tho, thus less one star for it. 4 ⭐
The North Pole Workshops by Mari Ness
This is hilariously on point regarding every customer service landline I've ever called lol. They never help, this landline. 5 ⭐
White Rose, Red Rose by Rachel Swirsky
Secret code used amidst a war. It's heartbreaking. 4 ⭐
For All Those Who Sheltered Here by Del Sandeen
A wholesome story told from a tree POV. 5 ⭐
bookaneer's review against another edition
2.0
Rating and review only for That Story Isn’t the Story by John Wiswell.
Mmm, it's almost dreamlike and the vibe is rather unsettling yet atmospheric (which is good), but I did not know what's going on mostly, then the ending was so abrupt and I STILL did not know what exactly happened. In short, it's a huh-what story for me. I liked his last year's story better.
Mmm, it's almost dreamlike and the vibe is rather unsettling yet atmospheric (which is good), but I did not know what's going on mostly, then the ending was so abrupt and I STILL did not know what exactly happened. In short, it's a huh-what story for me. I liked his last year's story better.
bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
4.0
This magazine had some stories that I liked better than others, but in general I thought this was a good collection. I picked it up when I did because John Wiswell's "That Story Isn't The Story" was nominated for awards and I wanted to read it for myself. I enjoyed it, but there were parts of it (involving blood) that I didn't like much at ALL. It was not my favorite story in the magazine... I think my favorite was the humorous “The North Pole Workshops” by Mari Ness.
Other favorites were Rachel Swirsky's "White Rose, Red Rose" and Mary Robinette Kowal's “Ina’s Spark.” I also enjoyed “The Stop After the Last Station” by A. T. Greenblatt, but that one was a bit more confusing to me due to the order in which the story was told.
Other favorites were Rachel Swirsky's "White Rose, Red Rose" and Mary Robinette Kowal's “Ina’s Spark.” I also enjoyed “The Stop After the Last Station” by A. T. Greenblatt, but that one was a bit more confusing to me due to the order in which the story was told.
howardgo's review
5.0
This was an exceptional issue for me. I loved all the stories and liked all the poems. The long interview was the only thing I didn't care for, but that is a matter of tasted. I hadn't read the author and her type of deep fantasy isn't really my thing. My favorite stories were "That Story Isn't the Story" and "Ina's Spark".
afreen7's review
4.0
Rating - 3.5/5
FICTION
For Want of Milk by Grace P. Fong - 4/5
Beautiful, poignant, and full of silent strength, and a satisfying ending.
The Stop After the Last Station by A. T. Greenblatt - 4/5
If you loved 'Arrival' and reading about people trying to understand the point of life this will be right up your alley. Cleverly writing that put the point across clearly of what would've been a complicated plot.
That Story Isn’t the Story by John Wiswell - 3/5
This started off interesting but kinda fizzled out. The writer depicted really well how hard it is to escape abusive relationships and the lingering fear but it felt a little hurried especially and the ending in my opinion didn't pay off
Ina’s Spark by Mary Robinette Kowal - 4/5
classic fantasy quest story is written well and with good pacing
The North Pole Workshops by Mari Ness - 4/5
lol this was funny
White Rose, Red Rose by Rachel Swirsky - 3/5
I didn't quite get this one but interesting to read nevertheless
For All Those Who Sheltered Here by Del Sandeen - 3.5/5
another good one but I personally feel like I've read too many short stories that are from the pov of a tree/trees even in Uncanny magazine alone.
POETRY
My faves were POST MASSACRE PSYCHE EVALUATION by Abu Bakr Sadiq and Confessions of a Spaceport AI by Mary Soon Lee
ESSAYS
Pro Wrestling Is Fake (But You Already Knew That) by Veda Scott - 4/5
I really thought this essay wasn't gonna be for me considering I never took pro wrestling seriously for exactly the reason that it's fake. But reading this made me realize how important it could be when done right.
Loving the Old Wounds by Javier Grillo–Marxuach - 3/5
This essay got the point across and it was a truly meaningful one but somewhere in the middle, the writing got away a bit. I get the importance of explaining this so that the reader gets a clear picture but it could've been done more succinctly.
Scenes from the Apocalypse by Dawn Xiana Moon - 3.5/5
A brief but hard-hitting view on the impact the pandemic had on the arts and entertainment industry amidst the racist attacks and political uprising
What You Might Have Missed by Arley Sorg - 4/5
"Missing the context or not having the perspective to immediately get these stories doesn’t mean that they are impenetrable. It means that it’s time for you to look beyond the things you’ve been watching and reading to date. The stories are out there. It’s not that the shows, movies, and books don’t exist; it’s that you may need to put in a bit of effort to find them."
The Precarious Now by Marissa Lingen - 3.5/5
The Matter of Cloud: An Interview with Greer Gilman by Greer Gilman and Sofia Samatar - 3/5
Considering I know nothing about this author and their comprehensive and complicated works most of this piece went over my head. The content did sound interesting in the beginning but the author's increasingly pretentious tone about it didn't entice me to look into their work.
FICTION
For Want of Milk by Grace P. Fong - 4/5
Beautiful, poignant, and full of silent strength, and a satisfying ending.
The Stop After the Last Station by A. T. Greenblatt - 4/5
If you loved 'Arrival' and reading about people trying to understand the point of life this will be right up your alley. Cleverly writing that put the point across clearly of what would've been a complicated plot.
That Story Isn’t the Story by John Wiswell - 3/5
This started off interesting but kinda fizzled out. The writer depicted really well how hard it is to escape abusive relationships and the lingering fear but it felt a little hurried especially and the ending in my opinion didn't pay off
Ina’s Spark by Mary Robinette Kowal - 4/5
classic fantasy quest story is written well and with good pacing
The North Pole Workshops by Mari Ness - 4/5
lol this was funny
White Rose, Red Rose by Rachel Swirsky - 3/5
I didn't quite get this one but interesting to read nevertheless
For All Those Who Sheltered Here by Del Sandeen - 3.5/5
another good one but I personally feel like I've read too many short stories that are from the pov of a tree/trees even in Uncanny magazine alone.
POETRY
My faves were POST MASSACRE PSYCHE EVALUATION by Abu Bakr Sadiq and Confessions of a Spaceport AI by Mary Soon Lee
ESSAYS
Pro Wrestling Is Fake (But You Already Knew That) by Veda Scott - 4/5
I really thought this essay wasn't gonna be for me considering I never took pro wrestling seriously for exactly the reason that it's fake. But reading this made me realize how important it could be when done right.
Loving the Old Wounds by Javier Grillo–Marxuach - 3/5
This essay got the point across and it was a truly meaningful one but somewhere in the middle, the writing got away a bit. I get the importance of explaining this so that the reader gets a clear picture but it could've been done more succinctly.
Scenes from the Apocalypse by Dawn Xiana Moon - 3.5/5
A brief but hard-hitting view on the impact the pandemic had on the arts and entertainment industry amidst the racist attacks and political uprising
What You Might Have Missed by Arley Sorg - 4/5
"Missing the context or not having the perspective to immediately get these stories doesn’t mean that they are impenetrable. It means that it’s time for you to look beyond the things you’ve been watching and reading to date. The stories are out there. It’s not that the shows, movies, and books don’t exist; it’s that you may need to put in a bit of effort to find them."
The Precarious Now by Marissa Lingen - 3.5/5
The Matter of Cloud: An Interview with Greer Gilman by Greer Gilman and Sofia Samatar - 3/5
Considering I know nothing about this author and their comprehensive and complicated works most of this piece went over my head. The content did sound interesting in the beginning but the author's increasingly pretentious tone about it didn't entice me to look into their work.
mey's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
fireblend's review
4.0
I recently decided I wanted to subscribe to a speculative fiction magazine and went with Uncanny, making this my first issue. As a self described short fiction enjoyer, I'm now kicking myself for not thinking of doing it sooner and considering others; the skill on display here is astounding and the themes and subjects tackled tell me I chose the right publication.
Favorites: The Story isn't the Story, about how hard it is to feel safe (and vampires), For Want of Milk, about freedom and power and witches, and Confessions of a Spaceport AI, a clever and funny poem about a relatable AI.
Favorites: The Story isn't the Story, about how hard it is to feel safe (and vampires), For Want of Milk, about freedom and power and witches, and Confessions of a Spaceport AI, a clever and funny poem about a relatable AI.
jeremiahpena's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0