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saloninareads's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
joanareads's review against another edition
4.0
Review for — Rabbit Test by Samantha Mills
Had to find a way to log and review this year’s Nebula winner in the short story category because it was so fantastic. If you’re in the headspace to read it definitely give it a try (it’s available for free on the Uncanny Magazine website!)
Had to find a way to log and review this year’s Nebula winner in the short story category because it was so fantastic. If you’re in the headspace to read it definitely give it a try (it’s available for free on the Uncanny Magazine website!)
wanderlustlover's review against another edition
5.0
Summer 2023 (July);
Hugo Short Story Nomination
Nebula Short Story Winner
"The Rabbit Test"
Oh, oh, oh. I did not expect to close out this story nearly in tears from those last two lines. This deep dive both into the past (and the future) of abortion, female body control, and the underlying truth that people will always be fighting back, no matter how subtly or loudly was incredibly moving. The relationships of women—mothers and daughters by several generations, and best friends—are so important to this message.
As is the message that it should not matter what the reason is for wanting or not wanting an abortion, that it should always remain in the hands of the woman who is deciding her future, her fate, and her fight for her rights therein. Definite 5 stars here. I'd give it more were it possible.
Hugo Short Story Nomination
Nebula Short Story Winner
"The Rabbit Test"
Oh, oh, oh. I did not expect to close out this story nearly in tears from those last two lines. This deep dive both into the past (and the future) of abortion, female body control, and the underlying truth that people will always be fighting back, no matter how subtly or loudly was incredibly moving. The relationships of women—mothers and daughters by several generations, and best friends—are so important to this message.
As is the message that it should not matter what the reason is for wanting or not wanting an abortion, that it should always remain in the hands of the woman who is deciding her future, her fate, and her fight for her rights therein. Definite 5 stars here. I'd give it more were it possible.
incipientdreamer's review against another edition
3.5
I have, so far, read Rabbit Test, To Walk The River of Stars, and Transference from this issue.
Review for Rabbit Test by Samantha Mills, winner of the 2023 Locus and Nebula Short Story Award.
Review for Rabbit Test by Samantha Mills, winner of the 2023 Locus and Nebula Short Story Award.
It is 2022 and it isn’t over.
It is 2022 and it is never over.
Samantha Mills presents a bleak future (and past and present) outlining the history of abortion and reproductive rights. Rabbit Test is great at informing the reader of the long line of changes in legislation as well as the fickle-ness of those laws. I've been reading short fiction released in the past year and a lot of it has to do with the horrifying changes happening all over the world, but mainly in America when it comes to the different civil rights of oppressed people. It's sad that so much of our fiction has to be about that but it is also hopeful that maybe this can spread some awareness among the bigots of our age.
Mills' writing was great at making me tear up near the end because it all felt so unfair and unfixable. Women have been fighting for bodily autonomy forever and it seems like we will have to keep fighting for it evermore because no one can predict when laws and amendments get overturned. Reading this really made me consider deleting my period tracking app. The future Mills presents might be horrifying and dystopian but it isn't unimaginable, rather it's something that is true for many parts of the world.
To read more about the author's research process, check out her blog post, where she talks in detail about the history of pregnancy tests and abortion laws.
Short Story July - 3/31
Review for To Walk the River of Stars by Emily Y. Teng - 3 stars
Very very short story for today because I've had a couple of very busy days at work. This was nicely written and seemed to carry some kind of deeper meaning but I couldn't really find an interview with the author where she explained more about it.
Short Story Month - 6/31
Review for Transference by Vivian Shaw - 5 stars
Transference is about the lingering effects of a disturbing piece of art. I loved Vivian Shaw's writing, it set the mood for this story so so perfectly. Transference felt like an episode or statement from The Magnus Archives. I'm trying to think which entity it would align to (probably The Eye or The Desolation). While I was listening to TMA I couldn't help but wish Jonny would add eldritch paintings related to the entities. Much like the Litener books or the magic artefacts. This short story is exactly what I would have wanted from a TMA painting statement. I want to read more short horror fantasy pieces like this because yes this this is my niche genre! To all TMA fans, please please give this a read/listen, I swear it's worth it.
Shaw talks more about her writing process here and her love for horror. She also mentions the painting that inspired this story (go check it out! It really is disturbing!). It isn't much of a surprise that she's an M. R. James fan. No wonder her story reminded me of Magnus! I'll probably go hunting for her long and short works. She's also married to Arkady Martine which is wow, because they are both such talented people.
Short Story Month - 7/31
atuin's review
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abortion
bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
3.0
Uncanny Magazine does a great job of presenting lots of different POVs and stories, and this issue is no different. There's something for just about everyone here, and while I didn't love all of the stories in the issue, that means (IMO) that more people will be able to find something they like here. Even the stories I didn't like as much felt very well crafted to me, which shows the quality that Uncanny has been putting out.
My thoughts on the individual stories (fiction only; I didn't make notes on the nonfiction or poetry):
“Rabbit Test” by Samantha Mills ~ This is an important topic (pregnancy & agency & privacy & choice) but the way it was handled was too depressing for me. It felt like too real a possibility. Not the kind of fiction I tend to seek out for pleasure.
“Transference” by Vivian Shaw ~ Creepy. There are some paintings that I won't be looking closely at, now that I've read this story...
“The Other Side of Mictlān” by Matthew Olivas ~ Neat look at the afterlife with a Mexican-American perspective. This is not "Coco," though there are enough shared parts that I was able to envision a setting for this story. I liked this one a lot.
“Travelers’ Unrest” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman ~ Fun look at what tourists owe to the people who live in the places they travel. I've traveled with some people like the character in this story who gets the lesson... though fortunately none of my real-world experiences were with people quite as bad as the character here.
“can i offer you a nice egg in this trying time” by Iori Kusano ~ A different take on portal fantasy and what happens to the travelers when they return home. Darker than many portal fantasy stories, but a good read.
“Earth Dragon, Turning” by Anya Ow ~ Really interesting look at grief and love (without really showing much of either) as seen from a third party. I like the setting, and I'd be curious to read more in this world where the earth dragon that causes quakes according to Chinese folklore is a real beast.
“To Walk the River of Stars” by Emily Y. Teng ~ Another well-told second person POV story. (I've been seeing more good second person POV pieces lately, and it makes me happy.) This one was a neat look at reclamation of history and culture, and while the story is hopeful, it makes me sad for the indigenous cultures that we have already lost.
“A Fall Counts Anywhere” by Catherynne M. Valente ~ So far I have not had any luck with Valente's stories. This one was no different; I'm sure some readers will love it, but I bounced off it hard before I could even tell you what it was about. The storytelling format was not to my personal liking.
My thoughts on the individual stories (fiction only; I didn't make notes on the nonfiction or poetry):
“Rabbit Test” by Samantha Mills ~ This is an important topic (pregnancy & agency & privacy & choice) but the way it was handled was too depressing for me. It felt like too real a possibility. Not the kind of fiction I tend to seek out for pleasure.
“Transference” by Vivian Shaw ~ Creepy. There are some paintings that I won't be looking closely at, now that I've read this story...
“The Other Side of Mictlān” by Matthew Olivas ~ Neat look at the afterlife with a Mexican-American perspective. This is not "Coco," though there are enough shared parts that I was able to envision a setting for this story. I liked this one a lot.
“Travelers’ Unrest” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman ~ Fun look at what tourists owe to the people who live in the places they travel. I've traveled with some people like the character in this story who gets the lesson... though fortunately none of my real-world experiences were with people quite as bad as the character here.
“can i offer you a nice egg in this trying time” by Iori Kusano ~ A different take on portal fantasy and what happens to the travelers when they return home. Darker than many portal fantasy stories, but a good read.
“Earth Dragon, Turning” by Anya Ow ~ Really interesting look at grief and love (without really showing much of either) as seen from a third party. I like the setting, and I'd be curious to read more in this world where the earth dragon that causes quakes according to Chinese folklore is a real beast.
“To Walk the River of Stars” by Emily Y. Teng ~ Another well-told second person POV story. (I've been seeing more good second person POV pieces lately, and it makes me happy.) This one was a neat look at reclamation of history and culture, and while the story is hopeful, it makes me sad for the indigenous cultures that we have already lost.
“A Fall Counts Anywhere” by Catherynne M. Valente ~ So far I have not had any luck with Valente's stories. This one was no different; I'm sure some readers will love it, but I bounced off it hard before I could even tell you what it was about. The storytelling format was not to my personal liking.
8bitlapras's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Rabbit Test by Samantha Mills: 4.5/5
Transference by Vivian Shaw: 4/5
The Other Side of Mictlān by Matthew Olivas: 3.5/5
Travelers' Unrest by Nina Kiriki Hoffman: 3/5
Can I Offer You a Nice Egg in This Trying Time by Iori Kusano: 5/5
Earth Dragon, Turning by Anya Ow: 3/5
To Walk the River of Stars by Emily Y. Teng: 4/5
A Fall Counts Anywhere by Catherynne M. Valente: 2/5
Average rating: 3.625, rounded to 3.5
Transference by Vivian Shaw: 4/5
The Other Side of Mictlān by Matthew Olivas: 3.5/5
Travelers' Unrest by Nina Kiriki Hoffman: 3/5
Can I Offer You a Nice Egg in This Trying Time by Iori Kusano: 5/5
Earth Dragon, Turning by Anya Ow: 3/5
To Walk the River of Stars by Emily Y. Teng: 4/5
A Fall Counts Anywhere by Catherynne M. Valente: 2/5
Average rating: 3.625, rounded to 3.5
jabberwock's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0