A review by trish204
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 32 by Neil Clarke

4.0

This is a review for the short story From the Lost Diary of TreeFrog7 by Nnedi Okorafor.

Two explorers, one being the titular Treefrog7, are exploring a jungle to complete a field guide. They have been out in this jungle for what we call about 2 years. However, since we cannot be sure we are on Earth, that indication of time doesn't mean too much.
Treefrog7 and her husband are following in the footsteps of another explorer to find an M-CPU plant. But will they like what they'll find?

This is a strange world full of very interesting creatures. Spiders, frogs, moths ... but all a bit different from what we're used to. And then there is the M-CPU plant and what it (possibly) means / is.

Throughout the story, whether you read the print version or listen to the logs, Treefrog7's POV ensured that you were there with her, in the trees and on the ground. This also greatly enhanced an intensely creepy feeling crawling up your back. In fact, I was reminded a bit of Jeff Vandermeer's Area X what with the strangely familiar and yet alien creatures and the reader not really knowing what to expect.

Very nice atmosphere for such a short story (so short, that the author even

Spoiler

sped up the time it takes to deliver a baby - unless it's #15

which was quite funny). One doesn't need to like or feel for the characters in order to be constantly looking over one's shoulder and feeling the urge to runrunrun while also wanting to stay and look because the fauna and flora is so fascinating. *lol* Quite the achievement.

You can read the story for free here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/okorafor_05_09/