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mikewhiteman's review
4.0
The Ratcatcher - Tobias S Buckell **
Fine bit of space opera with augmented hunters tracking a serial killer. Just nothing that really stands out.
This Is For You - Bruce McAllister ***
Short, affectless piece about a boy who makes a painting for a girl he likes using alien techniques. The idea is nicely done and doesn't stretch things out or pad.
Dragonflies - Seanan McGuire ***
Tight post-apocalyptic hunt for a child taken by giant insects. The world is well put-together and the story rolls along quickly to its dramatic conclusion.
The Heart's Cartography - Susan Jane Bigelow ***
A sad story of a young trans girl who finds common ground with the daughter of a family of time-travellers. They cannot stay together long but find some hope together.
James, In The Golden Sunlight Of The Hereafter - Adam-Troy Castro ***
Interesting take on the idea of heaven as complete, eternal bliss but only for a very small number of people, while the rest are tormented in hell. Felt a bit rough around the edges.
Paternity - Greg Hrbek *****
Alternating stories of modern-day infertility treatments and a 1600s farmer who believes he has been cursed similarly. Full range of emotions, humour, horror and anxieties on display as they each deal with the specific fatherhoods they find themselves with.
Octopus Vs Bear - Kendra Fortmeyer ****
"Nice guy" type wakes up a woman and embarks on a jaunt round the city exploring the ups and downs of her life. Lessons to be learned but it feels more empathetic than preaching.
Weialalaleia - Amal El-Mohtar ****
Non-fiction styled piece on the titular being, used to "eat" people's grief but increasingly less well understood and used.
Hypocaust & Bathysphere - Rebecca Ore **
Novella about a medieval village where time travellers from various points in the future all seem to be sent. Doesn't shy away from the violence and disease but the way an isolated village changes when exposed to so many different cultures from the future creates a strange tone.
Fine bit of space opera with augmented hunters tracking a serial killer. Just nothing that really stands out.
This Is For You - Bruce McAllister ***
Short, affectless piece about a boy who makes a painting for a girl he likes using alien techniques. The idea is nicely done and doesn't stretch things out or pad.
Dragonflies - Seanan McGuire ***
Tight post-apocalyptic hunt for a child taken by giant insects. The world is well put-together and the story rolls along quickly to its dramatic conclusion.
The Heart's Cartography - Susan Jane Bigelow ***
A sad story of a young trans girl who finds common ground with the daughter of a family of time-travellers. They cannot stay together long but find some hope together.
James, In The Golden Sunlight Of The Hereafter - Adam-Troy Castro ***
Interesting take on the idea of heaven as complete, eternal bliss but only for a very small number of people, while the rest are tormented in hell. Felt a bit rough around the edges.
Paternity - Greg Hrbek *****
Alternating stories of modern-day infertility treatments and a 1600s farmer who believes he has been cursed similarly. Full range of emotions, humour, horror and anxieties on display as they each deal with the specific fatherhoods they find themselves with.
Octopus Vs Bear - Kendra Fortmeyer ****
"Nice guy" type wakes up a woman and embarks on a jaunt round the city exploring the ups and downs of her life. Lessons to be learned but it feels more empathetic than preaching.
Weialalaleia - Amal El-Mohtar ****
Non-fiction styled piece on the titular being, used to "eat" people's grief but increasingly less well understood and used.
Hypocaust & Bathysphere - Rebecca Ore **
Novella about a medieval village where time travellers from various points in the future all seem to be sent. Doesn't shy away from the violence and disease but the way an isolated village changes when exposed to so many different cultures from the future creates a strange tone.
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