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nona_the_first's review against another edition
4.0
Read only the Cook by C. L. Clark:
I listened to the audiobook of that short story when the author released it, and absolutely loved it.
I listened to the audiobook of that short story when the author released it, and absolutely loved it.
gotoboston's review against another edition
4.0
So, I've never read a literary magazine before. The Read Harder challenge from Book Riot really is expanding my mediums. I'm usually a novel person. I rarely read anything under 100 pages. But, now I've read several short stories, listened to an audiobook, and read a few novellas too. This literary magazine was very interesting and I've definitely enjoyed reading.
Here's the breakdown of the content.
Short Stories:
Discard the Sun, for It Has Failed Us by Marina J. Lostetter - Very interesting concept. The writing was smooth and very philosophical. I really was touched by the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
Blessings by Naomi Novik - Short, interesting fairytale story. I've yet to read any of Naomi Novik's books, but I do own them. If they are as well written as this short story, then I'm certain I'll enjoy them. Still, this wasn't my favorite of the short stories. ★ ★ ★
Sucks (To Be You) by Katharine Duckett - I really liked this one. The musing on social media and consumption and attraction was really clever. This was one of my favorites. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Blue Lily's Wake by Aliette de Bodard - This one was one of the longest and most detailed. I'm not sure I understood it fully, but I found it interesting. Plus, the writing was good. ★ ★ ★
If We Died Unjustified by Merc Fenn Wolfmoore - Told from the perspective of a dog in the apocalypse. This was really dark and quirky. The children's rhyme that broke up the story was very creepy but this story was just really weird. Not sure I enjoyed it, but I appreciated it. ★ ★ ★
What Gentle Women Dare by Kelly Robson - Dark, but deep. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it wasn't written with dialogue that was very much specific to the period and time. That said, I enjoyed it. And it was probably important it was written that way since it plays into the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
The Cook by C.L. Clark - This one was short, sweet, and to the point. Not exactly memorable but written well. Plus, there was a gay romance. ★ ★ ★
Poetry:
Lorelei by Ali Trotti - Eh. Nothing against Trotti's writing. I thought the prose was decent. I just didn't get it. ★ ★
Persephone in Hades by Theodora Goss - Love Greek mythology, decent prose. I enjoyed this. ★ ★ ★
Okuri Inu, or the sending off demon by Betsy Aoki - Also love Japanese mythology. This was very cool. ★ ★ ★
What Grew by Sarah Gailey - Loved this! So quirky and weird. I haven't read Sarah Gailey's book yet, but I do own it. And after reading this, I think I'm very much looking forward to reading her book. And maybe getting everything she's ever written. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Essays:
At Face Value by Briana Lawrence - Important. I really needed to read this. ★ ★ ★ ★
Dislikes the Sea, but Will Venture Upon It If Necessary by Greg Pak - Really liked this. I really saw myself in the author. As a queer teenager, I remember all my own writings and roleplays and how I tried to create an inclusive space for myself. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Burlesque and the Lens of Rewriting by Elsa Sjunneson - This was a really interesting perspective. As someone who frequents fanfiction spaces, I understand Elsa's perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Defense of Escapism by Kelly McCullough - People use escapism as an insult? Who are these people? Cause I clearly need to avoid them. I support Kelly's defense of escapism. More than ever we need that escape. ★ ★ ★ ★
There was a few other things, but that's all the original content. Overall, I liked everything. And now I have a few more authors to check out.
Here's the breakdown of the content.
Short Stories:
Discard the Sun, for It Has Failed Us by Marina J. Lostetter - Very interesting concept. The writing was smooth and very philosophical. I really was touched by the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
Blessings by Naomi Novik - Short, interesting fairytale story. I've yet to read any of Naomi Novik's books, but I do own them. If they are as well written as this short story, then I'm certain I'll enjoy them. Still, this wasn't my favorite of the short stories. ★ ★ ★
Sucks (To Be You) by Katharine Duckett - I really liked this one. The musing on social media and consumption and attraction was really clever. This was one of my favorites. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Blue Lily's Wake by Aliette de Bodard - This one was one of the longest and most detailed. I'm not sure I understood it fully, but I found it interesting. Plus, the writing was good. ★ ★ ★
If We Died Unjustified by Merc Fenn Wolfmoore - Told from the perspective of a dog in the apocalypse. This was really dark and quirky. The children's rhyme that broke up the story was very creepy but this story was just really weird. Not sure I enjoyed it, but I appreciated it. ★ ★ ★
What Gentle Women Dare by Kelly Robson - Dark, but deep. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it wasn't written with dialogue that was very much specific to the period and time. That said, I enjoyed it. And it was probably important it was written that way since it plays into the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
The Cook by C.L. Clark - This one was short, sweet, and to the point. Not exactly memorable but written well. Plus, there was a gay romance. ★ ★ ★
Poetry:
Lorelei by Ali Trotti - Eh. Nothing against Trotti's writing. I thought the prose was decent. I just didn't get it. ★ ★
Persephone in Hades by Theodora Goss - Love Greek mythology, decent prose. I enjoyed this. ★ ★ ★
Okuri Inu, or the sending off demon by Betsy Aoki - Also love Japanese mythology. This was very cool. ★ ★ ★
What Grew by Sarah Gailey - Loved this! So quirky and weird. I haven't read Sarah Gailey's book yet, but I do own it. And after reading this, I think I'm very much looking forward to reading her book. And maybe getting everything she's ever written. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Essays:
At Face Value by Briana Lawrence - Important. I really needed to read this. ★ ★ ★ ★
Dislikes the Sea, but Will Venture Upon It If Necessary by Greg Pak - Really liked this. I really saw myself in the author. As a queer teenager, I remember all my own writings and roleplays and how I tried to create an inclusive space for myself. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Burlesque and the Lens of Rewriting by Elsa Sjunneson - This was a really interesting perspective. As someone who frequents fanfiction spaces, I understand Elsa's perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Defense of Escapism by Kelly McCullough - People use escapism as an insult? Who are these people? Cause I clearly need to avoid them. I support Kelly's defense of escapism. More than ever we need that escape. ★ ★ ★ ★
There was a few other things, but that's all the original content. Overall, I liked everything. And now I have a few more authors to check out.
february's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty enjoyable read. I think my favorite story from this issue was "What Gentle Women Dare," but there were a lot of great stories and articles.
foomple's review against another edition
4.0
This rating is just for The Cook by C.L. Clark. Short but powerful.
mikewhiteman's review against another edition
3.0
Blessings - Naomi Novik ***
Sucks (To Be You) - Katharine Duckett ***
Discard The Sun, For It Has Failed Us - Marina J Lostetter ***
What Gentle Women Dare - Kelly Robson ***
If We Die Unjustified - A Merc Rustad ***
The Cook - CL Clark ****
In Blue Lily's Wake - Aliette De Bodard ****
Sucks (To Be You) - Katharine Duckett ***
Discard The Sun, For It Has Failed Us - Marina J Lostetter ***
What Gentle Women Dare - Kelly Robson ***
If We Die Unjustified - A Merc Rustad ***
The Cook - CL Clark ****
In Blue Lily's Wake - Aliette De Bodard ****
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