Scan barcode
robport's review
1.0
Headwater LLC was a really great story, but sadly that sort of thing has become the exception rather than the rule for this publication which seems to concern itself more with the identity politics of its authors these days than the quality of stories.
A shame. For a while, Lightspeed was really good.
A shame. For a while, Lightspeed was really good.
sleeping_while_awake's review
3.0
Beautiful Boys - 3 stars
Scientist is convinced that very beautiful men are aliens that came to Earth to continue their race. The story is a mix between her personal interactions with the men and her own research. I liked the ideas, as it represents for young women how elusive some men are. It would be nice if there was any explanation for those rugged, wandering men who are untameable!
He Came From a Place of Openness and Truth - 3 stars
A high school boy dates another boy he meets at his part time job. He explores his sexuality and wavers on whether he can reveal to his parents that he is gay. His lover ends up being an alien that needs his sperm to create clones. At the surface it seems like a porno script, but it actually does have depth to it.
More Adventures on Other Planets - 2 stars
Characters work at a company that allows them to link physically and mentally to rovers on Jupiter. They are able to feel like they are on Jupiter. The story details the developing relationships among coworkers. I found the technology a bit odd, considering it would be very dangerous to link someone if they can be killed so easily. Especially since the rovers aren't doing anything of that great of importance.
Men of Unborrowed Vision - 2 stars
College students in a occupy-like movement notice that their friends are being affected with a sickness, probably to keep them from protesting. The title is a nod to Ayn Rand, and there's a quote in there by her. However, the perspective of the story is from the masses who are being put down, and they are seen in a positive light.
Headwater LLC - 4 stars
A really fascinating story of a Japanese corporation that takes the water from the head of the mystical kappa creature, and sells this as a miracle formula. The main character was involved in the very beginning, and has seen the wrongness of the kappa treatment now that the company is making millions. I liked the idea of a fantasy creature providing a popular product for consumers.
The Lonely Heart - 4 stars
Re-telling of a Chinese tale - The Painted Skin. The character is just getting her life comfortable after she has been homeless. She meets a girl, who is being controlled by a pimp. Girl shows up at her apartment later and bad things happen. I liked this author's (Bodard) previous story in Lightspeed and I hope to read more of her.
The Archon - 3 stars
Kaslo Chronicles story. Characters go to Old Earth and meet the Archon. Talk about the demon-creature on the seventh plane. A small battle does ensue.
Mother, Maiden, Crone - 4 stars
Woman is marked as witch and fears for her life. Tried to have a normal life in the mountains, got married, but finds out she is pregnant, and thinks the child will be a witch as well. I liked the female perspective and the focus on birth as the central plot point.
The Choice - 3 stars
Novella. Reminded me of Margaret Atwood. Set in a world after contact has been made with aliens. The characters are living in a bayou-like area, with some limited technology, but all seem to be poor. A "dragon" gets stuck on the shore, and all the people go to see it. The dragon is alien technology, and everyone is suspicious, although they had been told the machine helps clean the waters. This event creates much danger for both the characters. I liked the setting, and it's evident the author really loves the water and boats.
Scientist is convinced that very beautiful men are aliens that came to Earth to continue their race. The story is a mix between her personal interactions with the men and her own research. I liked the ideas, as it represents for young women how elusive some men are. It would be nice if there was any explanation for those rugged, wandering men who are untameable!
He Came From a Place of Openness and Truth - 3 stars
A high school boy dates another boy he meets at his part time job. He explores his sexuality and wavers on whether he can reveal to his parents that he is gay. His lover ends up being an alien that needs his sperm to create clones. At the surface it seems like a porno script, but it actually does have depth to it.
More Adventures on Other Planets - 2 stars
Characters work at a company that allows them to link physically and mentally to rovers on Jupiter. They are able to feel like they are on Jupiter. The story details the developing relationships among coworkers. I found the technology a bit odd, considering it would be very dangerous to link someone if they can be killed so easily. Especially since the rovers aren't doing anything of that great of importance.
Men of Unborrowed Vision - 2 stars
College students in a occupy-like movement notice that their friends are being affected with a sickness, probably to keep them from protesting. The title is a nod to Ayn Rand, and there's a quote in there by her. However, the perspective of the story is from the masses who are being put down, and they are seen in a positive light.
Headwater LLC - 4 stars
A really fascinating story of a Japanese corporation that takes the water from the head of the mystical kappa creature, and sells this as a miracle formula. The main character was involved in the very beginning, and has seen the wrongness of the kappa treatment now that the company is making millions. I liked the idea of a fantasy creature providing a popular product for consumers.
The Lonely Heart - 4 stars
Re-telling of a Chinese tale - The Painted Skin. The character is just getting her life comfortable after she has been homeless. She meets a girl, who is being controlled by a pimp. Girl shows up at her apartment later and bad things happen. I liked this author's (Bodard) previous story in Lightspeed and I hope to read more of her.
The Archon - 3 stars
Kaslo Chronicles story. Characters go to Old Earth and meet the Archon. Talk about the demon-creature on the seventh plane. A small battle does ensue.
Mother, Maiden, Crone - 4 stars
Woman is marked as witch and fears for her life. Tried to have a normal life in the mountains, got married, but finds out she is pregnant, and thinks the child will be a witch as well. I liked the female perspective and the focus on birth as the central plot point.
The Choice - 3 stars
Novella. Reminded me of Margaret Atwood. Set in a world after contact has been made with aliens. The characters are living in a bayou-like area, with some limited technology, but all seem to be poor. A "dragon" gets stuck on the shore, and all the people go to see it. The dragon is alien technology, and everyone is suspicious, although they had been told the machine helps clean the waters. This event creates much danger for both the characters. I liked the setting, and it's evident the author really loves the water and boats.
More...