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The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Vol. 142, Nos. 3 & 4, March/April 2022
NOVELETS
Dancing Little Marionettes - Megan Beadle
The Mule - Matthew Hughes
Done In The Mire - Adriana C Grigore
The Epic Of Qu Shittu - Tobi Ogundiran
SHORT STORIES
Void - Rajeev Prasad
These Brilliant Forms - Phoenix Alexander
From This Side Of The Rock - Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
Lilith - Ethan Smestad
Maker Of Chains - Sarah A Macklin
Where God Grows Wild - Frank Oreto
Woven - Amanda Dier
Nana - Carl Walmsley
Spirit To Spirit, Dust To Dust - Anna Zumbro
The Living Furniture - Yefim Zozulya
POETRY
Cryptids - Jen Sexton-Riley
We Feed On Stone And Light - Deborah L Davitt
Seeds Of The Worldtree - Deborah L Davitt
Dancing Little Marionettes - Megan Beadle
The Mule - Matthew Hughes
Done In The Mire - Adriana C Grigore
The Epic Of Qu Shittu - Tobi Ogundiran
SHORT STORIES
Void - Rajeev Prasad
These Brilliant Forms - Phoenix Alexander
From This Side Of The Rock - Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
Lilith - Ethan Smestad
Maker Of Chains - Sarah A Macklin
Where God Grows Wild - Frank Oreto
Woven - Amanda Dier
Nana - Carl Walmsley
Spirit To Spirit, Dust To Dust - Anna Zumbro
The Living Furniture - Yefim Zozulya
POETRY
Cryptids - Jen Sexton-Riley
We Feed On Stone And Light - Deborah L Davitt
Seeds Of The Worldtree - Deborah L Davitt
Unknown Binding
First published March 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Sheree Renée Thomas
78 books240 followersSheree Thomas — also credited as Sheree R. Thomas and Sheree Renée Thomas — is an American writer, book editor and publisher.
Thomas is the editor of the Dark Matter anthology (2000), in which are collected works by some of the best African-American writers in the genres of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Among the many notable authors included are Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R. Saunders, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Ishmael Reed, Kalamu ya Salaam, Robert Fleming, Nalo Hopkinson, George S. Schuyler and W. E. B. Du Bois. Dark Matter was honored with the 2005 and the 2001 World Fantasy Award and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Thomas is the publisher of Wanganegresse Press, and has contributed to national publications including the Washington Post "Book World", Black Issues Book Review, QBR, and Hip Mama. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Ishmael Reed's Konch, Drumvoices Revue, Obsidian III, African Voices, storySouth, and other literary journals, and has received Honorable Mention in the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, 16th and 17th annual collections. A native of Memphis, she lives in New York City.
Thomas is the editor of the Dark Matter anthology (2000), in which are collected works by some of the best African-American writers in the genres of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Among the many notable authors included are Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R. Saunders, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Ishmael Reed, Kalamu ya Salaam, Robert Fleming, Nalo Hopkinson, George S. Schuyler and W. E. B. Du Bois. Dark Matter was honored with the 2005 and the 2001 World Fantasy Award and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Thomas is the publisher of Wanganegresse Press, and has contributed to national publications including the Washington Post "Book World", Black Issues Book Review, QBR, and Hip Mama. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Ishmael Reed's Konch, Drumvoices Revue, Obsidian III, African Voices, storySouth, and other literary journals, and has received Honorable Mention in the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, 16th and 17th annual collections. A native of Memphis, she lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 21, 2022
One of the better issues of F&SF I've read so far under editor Sheree Renée Thomas, with a good mix of stories that make the reader think or feel for the characters. Very noteworthy is "Nana" by Carl Walmsley, with a twist at the end that will make you reread the entire story in a new light. Other noteworthy stories are by Megan Beadle, Matthew Hughes, Adriana C. Grigore, Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, Ethan Smestad and Tobi Ogundiran.
- "Dancing Little Marionettes" by Megan Beadle: a charming fantasy story about marionettes who appear alive. One, a girl suffers pain from the 'death' of her sister during a dance performance. The other, a boy, sees her anguish and tries to help her over the pain. What they least expect is to fall in love with each other.
- "Void" by Rajeev Prasad: set on a military hospital station over a rebellious Mars, a doctor has only one option when faced with a patient that cannot survive on the hospital or be sent back to Earth: the void of space. But he faces a medical ethical problem when his next patients are a rebel general and his son, and he has orders to void them. To add to the difficulties, an alien surgeon happens to be on the station whose sense of medical ethics may be stronger than his.
- "The Mule" by Matthew Hughes: a reluctant former discriminator (investigator) is forced to act as the conduit of a god from a higher physical plane. The nameless god wants to get back its name, stolen from it in ages past, and it needs a non-magical person to act of its behalf to avoid magical detection. In the end, the job is done, but not to the satisfaction of all involved with the god.
- "These Brilliant Forms" by Phoenix Alexander: a scavenger spaceship with an unusual crew member finds a derelict ship with a deadly secret. To escape, the crew member must do an act that would depend on the connections he has made with the crew.
- "Done in the Mire" by Adriana C. Grigore: an unusual tale of a woman stuck at the bottom of a well for a long time in a cursed bog that holds treasure, protected by a killing guardian. The latest treasure hunters meet their fate in the bog, except for one resourceful person who has a solution to get her out of the well, while keeping the treasure hidden to the satisfaction of the guardian.
- "From This Side of the Rock" by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu: an emotionally disturbing story of people being naturalized as citizens of a country. But to do so, they give up something they love. For an artist, it is his eyes. But what does a storyteller have to give up?
- "Lilith" by Ethan Smestad: on a Mars slowly being terraformed, two people watch over an ark of creatures waiting for the world to be ready for them. But some won't be able to enjoy the new world.
- "Maker of Chains" by Sarah A. Macklin: In a world of magic, a jewellery shop owner is robbed of his magical jewellery. But only he can get it back from the robbing dragon, for he understands the power and temptation of magic made possible by the jewellery.
- "Where God Grows Wild" by Frank Oreto: in a land where desire comes from a pollen, one woman has to rescue his brother from a field is it before the desires drive him to his death.
- "Woven" by Amanda Dier: a boy helps an injured beast, who then proceeds to weave together a circle made of plants. But it needs one final ingredient, which only the boy provides unexpectedly after his grandmother finds him protecting it.
- "The Epic of Qu Shittu" by Tobi Ogundiran: a bard sneaks on board a boat of the killer Qu Shittu to learn his story. What he learns is the story of a man who loves his family, but then lets his desire for revenge get the better of him in the quest for knowledge.
- "Nana" by Carl Walmsley: a story about how a technological way to simulate a person who has recently died. In this case, the grandmother. It helps the mother to suppress her grief, but not for the father or their daughter. In the end, the pretence has to end, but not before a final twist in the story.
- "Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust" by Anna Zumbro: on a dusty farm lives a girl who can summon water from the ground. But not all are happy with her gift.
- "The Living Furniture" by Yefim Zozulya, translated by Alex Shvartsman: on the furniture of a man made from living people, and the lives they have to live.
- "Dancing Little Marionettes" by Megan Beadle: a charming fantasy story about marionettes who appear alive. One, a girl suffers pain from the 'death' of her sister during a dance performance. The other, a boy, sees her anguish and tries to help her over the pain. What they least expect is to fall in love with each other.
- "Void" by Rajeev Prasad: set on a military hospital station over a rebellious Mars, a doctor has only one option when faced with a patient that cannot survive on the hospital or be sent back to Earth: the void of space. But he faces a medical ethical problem when his next patients are a rebel general and his son, and he has orders to void them. To add to the difficulties, an alien surgeon happens to be on the station whose sense of medical ethics may be stronger than his.
- "The Mule" by Matthew Hughes: a reluctant former discriminator (investigator) is forced to act as the conduit of a god from a higher physical plane. The nameless god wants to get back its name, stolen from it in ages past, and it needs a non-magical person to act of its behalf to avoid magical detection. In the end, the job is done, but not to the satisfaction of all involved with the god.
- "These Brilliant Forms" by Phoenix Alexander: a scavenger spaceship with an unusual crew member finds a derelict ship with a deadly secret. To escape, the crew member must do an act that would depend on the connections he has made with the crew.
- "Done in the Mire" by Adriana C. Grigore: an unusual tale of a woman stuck at the bottom of a well for a long time in a cursed bog that holds treasure, protected by a killing guardian. The latest treasure hunters meet their fate in the bog, except for one resourceful person who has a solution to get her out of the well, while keeping the treasure hidden to the satisfaction of the guardian.
- "From This Side of the Rock" by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu: an emotionally disturbing story of people being naturalized as citizens of a country. But to do so, they give up something they love. For an artist, it is his eyes. But what does a storyteller have to give up?
- "Lilith" by Ethan Smestad: on a Mars slowly being terraformed, two people watch over an ark of creatures waiting for the world to be ready for them. But some won't be able to enjoy the new world.
- "Maker of Chains" by Sarah A. Macklin: In a world of magic, a jewellery shop owner is robbed of his magical jewellery. But only he can get it back from the robbing dragon, for he understands the power and temptation of magic made possible by the jewellery.
- "Where God Grows Wild" by Frank Oreto: in a land where desire comes from a pollen, one woman has to rescue his brother from a field is it before the desires drive him to his death.
- "Woven" by Amanda Dier: a boy helps an injured beast, who then proceeds to weave together a circle made of plants. But it needs one final ingredient, which only the boy provides unexpectedly after his grandmother finds him protecting it.
- "The Epic of Qu Shittu" by Tobi Ogundiran: a bard sneaks on board a boat of the killer Qu Shittu to learn his story. What he learns is the story of a man who loves his family, but then lets his desire for revenge get the better of him in the quest for knowledge.
- "Nana" by Carl Walmsley: a story about how a technological way to simulate a person who has recently died. In this case, the grandmother. It helps the mother to suppress her grief, but not for the father or their daughter. In the end, the pretence has to end, but not before a final twist in the story.
- "Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust" by Anna Zumbro: on a dusty farm lives a girl who can summon water from the ground. But not all are happy with her gift.
- "The Living Furniture" by Yefim Zozulya, translated by Alex Shvartsman: on the furniture of a man made from living people, and the lives they have to live.
March 23, 2022
Overall a pretty good issue, with a larger than usual number of very odd stories.
Meagan Beadle - Dancing Little Marionettes - 4 stars
- A cute little story about marionette dancers with human feelings and actions.
Rajeev Prasad - Void - 4 stars
- The medical support staff during a battle in space has to make possibly immoral decisions w.r.t. enemy patients.
Matthew Hughes - The Mule - 4 stars
- A man is 'drafted' to do a job of restoring the name for an ancient magical being without being told exactly what he will be doing, and when, where, and how he'll be doing it. Of course, problems arise and he's stranded and has to make his own way back home. A nice story.
Phoenix Alexander - These Brilliant Forms - 4 stars
- The story of an extremely modified human form, built to survive on its own in space. Well done.
Adriana C. Grigore - Done in the Mire - 3 stars
- A 'witch' is thrown down into a well and left there to die. As the years go by, however, and other people are thrown into the well, they die but she lives. An odd story.
Yvette Lisa Ndlovu - From This Side of the Rock - 3 stars
- Another odd story. In order to become a citizen, you must give up something of value, to be selected by the one granting you citizenship. It might be your arm, your eyes, or maybe your memories.
Ethan Smestad - Lilith - 4 stars
- The last survivors of Earth, now living on Mars in an enclosed garden which is slowly modifying Mars to allow them and their descendants to live in the open. That was the plan.
Sarah A. Macklin - Maker of Chains - 3 stars
- Magic, dragons, greed, or just a big city jewelry store. A little different.
Frank Oreto - Where God Grows Wild - 3 stars
- Hmmm. The dead in the cemetery luring the living to join them in eternal bliss, with guards at the gates to prevent people from entering. The story is too short to allow getting a full description of the setting.
Amanda Dier - Woven - 3 stars
- A young boy finds a magical creature in his garden. The creature makes a gate into another world.
Tobi Ogundiran - The Epic of Qu Shittu - 3 stars
- A man tracks down a mythical, powerful leader with the intention of writing his story. He travels with him to his home world and learns the full story.
Carl Walmsley - Nana - 5 stars
- This is the story of a married couple, their young daughter and the grandmother, Nana. Nana dies, but is kept 'alive' as an animated copy through a highly advanced process. The granddaughter soon decides that the copy of Nana is just not the same and asks her mother to turn Nana off, with a surprise follow-up.
Anna Zumbro - Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust - 4 stars
- A woman's grandmother drowned years ago, but came back from the dead. Perhaps because of this the woman has the power to draw water from deep underground to help the crops grow. However, there are serious repercussions of doing this.
Yefim Zozulya - The Living Furniture - 3 stars
- Just very weird! A man pays people to meet his every need - furniture, wallpaper, transportation. Well, they finally rebel, but ...
Meagan Beadle - Dancing Little Marionettes - 4 stars
- A cute little story about marionette dancers with human feelings and actions.
Rajeev Prasad - Void - 4 stars
- The medical support staff during a battle in space has to make possibly immoral decisions w.r.t. enemy patients.
Matthew Hughes - The Mule - 4 stars
- A man is 'drafted' to do a job of restoring the name for an ancient magical being without being told exactly what he will be doing, and when, where, and how he'll be doing it. Of course, problems arise and he's stranded and has to make his own way back home. A nice story.
Phoenix Alexander - These Brilliant Forms - 4 stars
- The story of an extremely modified human form, built to survive on its own in space. Well done.
Adriana C. Grigore - Done in the Mire - 3 stars
- A 'witch' is thrown down into a well and left there to die. As the years go by, however, and other people are thrown into the well, they die but she lives. An odd story.
Yvette Lisa Ndlovu - From This Side of the Rock - 3 stars
- Another odd story. In order to become a citizen, you must give up something of value, to be selected by the one granting you citizenship. It might be your arm, your eyes, or maybe your memories.
Ethan Smestad - Lilith - 4 stars
- The last survivors of Earth, now living on Mars in an enclosed garden which is slowly modifying Mars to allow them and their descendants to live in the open. That was the plan.
Sarah A. Macklin - Maker of Chains - 3 stars
- Magic, dragons, greed, or just a big city jewelry store. A little different.
Frank Oreto - Where God Grows Wild - 3 stars
- Hmmm. The dead in the cemetery luring the living to join them in eternal bliss, with guards at the gates to prevent people from entering. The story is too short to allow getting a full description of the setting.
Amanda Dier - Woven - 3 stars
- A young boy finds a magical creature in his garden. The creature makes a gate into another world.
Tobi Ogundiran - The Epic of Qu Shittu - 3 stars
- A man tracks down a mythical, powerful leader with the intention of writing his story. He travels with him to his home world and learns the full story.
Carl Walmsley - Nana - 5 stars
- This is the story of a married couple, their young daughter and the grandmother, Nana. Nana dies, but is kept 'alive' as an animated copy through a highly advanced process. The granddaughter soon decides that the copy of Nana is just not the same and asks her mother to turn Nana off, with a surprise follow-up.
Anna Zumbro - Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust - 4 stars
- A woman's grandmother drowned years ago, but came back from the dead. Perhaps because of this the woman has the power to draw water from deep underground to help the crops grow. However, there are serious repercussions of doing this.
Yefim Zozulya - The Living Furniture - 3 stars
- Just very weird! A man pays people to meet his every need - furniture, wallpaper, transportation. Well, they finally rebel, but ...
June 16, 2022
It's thinner, same number of pages.
7 • Dancing Little Marionettes • 21 pages by Megan Beadle
Good+. Dani is broken or dies on stage. Eliska her sister is overcome with grief and can't dance anymore. The personification of Mikolaus's Marionettes gives them lives and emotions.
28 • Void • 14 pages by Rajeev Prasad
OK. Amare is having difficulty coming to terms with the necessities of his job. Those he can't save he has to give to the void.
42 • The Mule • 37 pages by Matthew Hughes
Good+. The entity in the mirror had its name stolen. It sends Cascor and Ioveana on a mission. Cascor is reluctant but is pressed into it.
79 • These Brilliant Forms • 20 pages by Phoenix Alexander
Fair/poor. A salvage ship with three humans and Cal a biogen find a derelict leviathan ship. Is it the riches they dream of or is there hidden danger? I couldn’t visualize the action and I’m confused about how Cal survives in vacuum and the other crew, did the have suits? There didn’t seem to be camaraderie between them that would lead to bonding other than we’re not going to leave Cal behind, and Cal reciprocating.
116 • Done in the Mire • 24 pages by Adriana C. Grigore
OK/Fair+. Varvara gets trapped in a well by the Morasser, but she, the water or the well has healing powers and she continues to live. Over the next fifty years, she counts stones, bodies are thrown in, etc.
140 • From This Side of the Rock • 8 pages by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
OK/Fair+. To become a citizen you have to give up something precious, Jabu a painter had his eyes taken. Rasika is going to her naturalization ceremony next week. Good, except I don’t see how their new country benefits from this process.
148 • Lilith • 7 pages by Ethan Smestad
OK/Fair. Mars is being terraformed, for the animals, the humans are dying.
155 • Maker of Chains • 10 pages by Sarah A. Macklin
Fair/OK. Someone broke into Mr. Ezekiel's shop. He is going to hunt down the theif that took the jewelry, too much magic is not good for them anyway.
165 • Where God Grows Wild • 15 pages by Frank Oreto
Good+. Stuart has run off to the Garden of Bliss to die. Erica has to find a way to sneak herself in and then get both of them out.
184 • Woven • 10 pages by Amanda Dier
Good/VG. Peter finds an injured boggle which he feeds and binds its broken leg. Over the next days or weeks he continues to see the boggle, hiding it from his grandmother who would almost certainly shoo it away or kill it.
194 • The Epic of Qu Shittu • 23 pages by Tobi Ogundiran
Good/OK. A bard stows away on Qu Shittu’s ship. They travel to another world where he finds out Shittu is a scientist and a family squabble. I was a little confused about what happened at the climax.
217 • Nana • 12 pages by Carl Walmsley
Good. I can’t really relate to missing my grandparents. They were old people I saw once a year. I don’t remember ever meeting my mom’s dad, but I did go to his funeral when I was three or four. My parents told me to go up and look at him, and when I got back they asked me how I felt. I said “Fine, but why did they put him in that big suitcase?” And to this day I have never gotten an answer. Enough digression, Helen misses her mother, but they purchase a realistic simulation Nana. That part was OK, the twist at the end made it better.
229 • Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust • 5 pages by Anna Zumbro
OK. There’s a drought, but Barb uses her power to help the crops get water. People worry about the Rusalkas in the river, and think she might be one.
249 • The Living Furniture • 7 pages by Yefim Zozulya
OK. Master Ikaj has chairs and such made of people. I'm sure the story is about degradation, but I'm caught up in thinking how does this furniture eat and go to the bathroom.
7 • Dancing Little Marionettes • 21 pages by Megan Beadle
Good+. Dani is broken or dies on stage. Eliska her sister is overcome with grief and can't dance anymore. The personification of Mikolaus's Marionettes gives them lives and emotions.
28 • Void • 14 pages by Rajeev Prasad
OK. Amare is having difficulty coming to terms with the necessities of his job. Those he can't save he has to give to the void.
42 • The Mule • 37 pages by Matthew Hughes
Good+. The entity in the mirror had its name stolen. It sends Cascor and Ioveana on a mission. Cascor is reluctant but is pressed into it.
79 • These Brilliant Forms • 20 pages by Phoenix Alexander
Fair/poor. A salvage ship with three humans and Cal a biogen find a derelict leviathan ship. Is it the riches they dream of or is there hidden danger? I couldn’t visualize the action and I’m confused about how Cal survives in vacuum and the other crew, did the have suits? There didn’t seem to be camaraderie between them that would lead to bonding other than we’re not going to leave Cal behind, and Cal reciprocating.
116 • Done in the Mire • 24 pages by Adriana C. Grigore
OK/Fair+. Varvara gets trapped in a well by the Morasser, but she, the water or the well has healing powers and she continues to live. Over the next fifty years, she counts stones, bodies are thrown in, etc.
140 • From This Side of the Rock • 8 pages by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
OK/Fair+. To become a citizen you have to give up something precious, Jabu a painter had his eyes taken. Rasika is going to her naturalization ceremony next week. Good, except I don’t see how their new country benefits from this process.
148 • Lilith • 7 pages by Ethan Smestad
OK/Fair. Mars is being terraformed, for the animals, the humans are dying.
155 • Maker of Chains • 10 pages by Sarah A. Macklin
Fair/OK. Someone broke into Mr. Ezekiel's shop. He is going to hunt down the theif that took the jewelry, too much magic is not good for them anyway.
165 • Where God Grows Wild • 15 pages by Frank Oreto
Good+. Stuart has run off to the Garden of Bliss to die. Erica has to find a way to sneak herself in and then get both of them out.
184 • Woven • 10 pages by Amanda Dier
Good/VG. Peter finds an injured boggle which he feeds and binds its broken leg. Over the next days or weeks he continues to see the boggle, hiding it from his grandmother who would almost certainly shoo it away or kill it.
194 • The Epic of Qu Shittu • 23 pages by Tobi Ogundiran
Good/OK. A bard stows away on Qu Shittu’s ship. They travel to another world where he finds out Shittu is a scientist and a family squabble. I was a little confused about what happened at the climax.
217 • Nana • 12 pages by Carl Walmsley
Good. I can’t really relate to missing my grandparents. They were old people I saw once a year. I don’t remember ever meeting my mom’s dad, but I did go to his funeral when I was three or four. My parents told me to go up and look at him, and when I got back they asked me how I felt. I said “Fine, but why did they put him in that big suitcase?” And to this day I have never gotten an answer. Enough digression, Helen misses her mother, but they purchase a realistic simulation Nana. That part was OK, the twist at the end made it better.
229 • Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust • 5 pages by Anna Zumbro
OK. There’s a drought, but Barb uses her power to help the crops get water. People worry about the Rusalkas in the river, and think she might be one.
249 • The Living Furniture • 7 pages by Yefim Zozulya
OK. Master Ikaj has chairs and such made of people. I'm sure the story is about degradation, but I'm caught up in thinking how does this furniture eat and go to the bathroom.
March 15, 2022
A superlative issue--you may not get a sixpence in your shoe, but there is a little something--old, new, borrowed and blue--for everyone.
Here are my favorite stories. And yes, ALL the stories were favorites this month.
- Dancing Little Marionettes by Megan Beadle
Wood, paint, and strings on a small stage with mournful music—more alive than most bone, flesh and sinew. Puppetry’s Jules and Jim will leave you with a tear in your eye.
- The Mule by Matthew Hughes
After the events of ‘The Forlorn,’ Cascor is--reluctantly--dragged on a quest to recover the mirror entity’s true name.
Hughes’ tales grab ahold and drag you into the story, only releasing you after the last word.
I suspect thaumaturgy.
- Done in the Mire by Adriana C. Grigore
Trapped in a well for 50 years! Mushrooms and magic may keep your body fit; your mind not so much. ‘There (are) few hobbies to be had at the bottom of a well after all.’ An epic tale of survival.
- The Epic of Qu Shittu by Tobi Ogundiran
What makes up the foundation of a larger than life hero/villain? A bard risks life and limb to discover…bone, wood and rotten flesh. A frightful romp through the nine worlds in the Haggard/Lovecraft tradition.
- Void by Rajeev Prasad
Triage, palliative care, and euthanasia on the slippery slope of wartime. Following orders on a MASH unit orbiting Mars. As a physician, this story made me feel very uncomfortable, which means it served its purpose.
- These Brilliant Forms by Phoenix Alexander
Form follows function, but are functionally altered humans still people? The heroic actions of a man at home in the cold vacuum of space says yes.
- From This Side of the Rock by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
If—and when—you have to immigrate, what will you give up? Your language? Medical degree? Oldest child? Or perhaps your ability to see beauty in the world? The sacrifices we force immigrants to make; a tale for our turbulent times.
- Lilith by Ethan Smestad
Two refugees from Earth tend a eco-ark while slowly terraforming Mars.
“Death is only the end if you assume the story is about you”
- Smith/Hansen/ Pizzuti/Horn
- Maker of Chains by Sarah A. Macklin
A magician/jeweler tracks a larcenous dragon over a post-apocalyptic urban landscape. A marvelous allegory for the mischief and mayhem inflicted on today’s world by the unfettered accumulation of wealth.
- Where God Grows Wild by Frank Oreto
Animal and plant kingdoms are intimately intertwined in this story about one woman’s struggle against the green religion that is just as corrupt and controlling as most organized religions.
- Woven by Amanda Dier
A boy and his boggle friend work together to weave their way out of a hostile world…and the most dangerous creature is NOT the cat. This was a most satisfying bedtime story for me.
- Nana by Carl Walmsley
Simulacra, the uncanny valley, and the process of grieving—everybody has to work through their loss in their own unique way. A sad, yet hopeful tale.
- Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust by Anna Zumbro
Bad things happen when you constantly take from the land and don’t give back. A cautionary tale from the dust bowl.
- The Living Furniture by Yefim Zozulya
A 100 year old Russian fantasy story that is sure to disturb you…unless you are an unrepentant libertarian. “Everyone lives and works in such a manner as they desire and can accomplish.” So do you want the job or not?
A wonderful translation by Alex Shvartsman.
Here are my favorite stories. And yes, ALL the stories were favorites this month.
- Dancing Little Marionettes by Megan Beadle
Wood, paint, and strings on a small stage with mournful music—more alive than most bone, flesh and sinew. Puppetry’s Jules and Jim will leave you with a tear in your eye.
- The Mule by Matthew Hughes
After the events of ‘The Forlorn,’ Cascor is--reluctantly--dragged on a quest to recover the mirror entity’s true name.
Hughes’ tales grab ahold and drag you into the story, only releasing you after the last word.
I suspect thaumaturgy.
- Done in the Mire by Adriana C. Grigore
Trapped in a well for 50 years! Mushrooms and magic may keep your body fit; your mind not so much. ‘There (are) few hobbies to be had at the bottom of a well after all.’ An epic tale of survival.
- The Epic of Qu Shittu by Tobi Ogundiran
What makes up the foundation of a larger than life hero/villain? A bard risks life and limb to discover…bone, wood and rotten flesh. A frightful romp through the nine worlds in the Haggard/Lovecraft tradition.
- Void by Rajeev Prasad
Triage, palliative care, and euthanasia on the slippery slope of wartime. Following orders on a MASH unit orbiting Mars. As a physician, this story made me feel very uncomfortable, which means it served its purpose.
- These Brilliant Forms by Phoenix Alexander
Form follows function, but are functionally altered humans still people? The heroic actions of a man at home in the cold vacuum of space says yes.
- From This Side of the Rock by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
If—and when—you have to immigrate, what will you give up? Your language? Medical degree? Oldest child? Or perhaps your ability to see beauty in the world? The sacrifices we force immigrants to make; a tale for our turbulent times.
- Lilith by Ethan Smestad
Two refugees from Earth tend a eco-ark while slowly terraforming Mars.
“Death is only the end if you assume the story is about you”
- Smith/Hansen/ Pizzuti/Horn
- Maker of Chains by Sarah A. Macklin
A magician/jeweler tracks a larcenous dragon over a post-apocalyptic urban landscape. A marvelous allegory for the mischief and mayhem inflicted on today’s world by the unfettered accumulation of wealth.
- Where God Grows Wild by Frank Oreto
Animal and plant kingdoms are intimately intertwined in this story about one woman’s struggle against the green religion that is just as corrupt and controlling as most organized religions.
- Woven by Amanda Dier
A boy and his boggle friend work together to weave their way out of a hostile world…and the most dangerous creature is NOT the cat. This was a most satisfying bedtime story for me.
- Nana by Carl Walmsley
Simulacra, the uncanny valley, and the process of grieving—everybody has to work through their loss in their own unique way. A sad, yet hopeful tale.
- Spirit to Spirit, Dust to Dust by Anna Zumbro
Bad things happen when you constantly take from the land and don’t give back. A cautionary tale from the dust bowl.
- The Living Furniture by Yefim Zozulya
A 100 year old Russian fantasy story that is sure to disturb you…unless you are an unrepentant libertarian. “Everyone lives and works in such a manner as they desire and can accomplish.” So do you want the job or not?
A wonderful translation by Alex Shvartsman.
June 16, 2022
I am always a fan of Matthew Hughes' work. I also enjoyed "These Brilliant Forms" and would be interested in a full-length novella/novel for the characters. The rest of the stories were ok.
One of the nonfiction essays, if posted to /r/fantasy, would have been almost immediately had the "rule one" mod sticky so that's fun. I had originally thought it would be about book cover colours but alas it was not that. (I think that topic would also make for an interesting "by the numbers" article--how many book covers are blue? what's the most common author/title font colour? does it differ by regions if the book is sold in different regions? --ie UK versus NA etc-- does it impact sales? etc.)
Looks like the bookbinding is different or the pages are thinner--much more condensed than previous editions, though the same amount of content. (As I have may/june it looks like this will be the case going forward--more bookshelf space for me, I suppose!)
One of the nonfiction essays, if posted to /r/fantasy, would have been almost immediately had the "rule one" mod sticky so that's fun. I had originally thought it would be about book cover colours but alas it was not that. (I think that topic would also make for an interesting "by the numbers" article--how many book covers are blue? what's the most common author/title font colour? does it differ by regions if the book is sold in different regions? --ie UK versus NA etc-- does it impact sales? etc.)
Looks like the bookbinding is different or the pages are thinner--much more condensed than previous editions, though the same amount of content. (As I have may/june it looks like this will be the case going forward--more bookshelf space for me, I suppose!)
August 17, 2022
I loved:
Dancing Little Marionettes by Megan Beadle
The Epic of Qu Shittu by Tobi Ogundiran
From This Side of the Rock by Yvette Lisa Ndlovi
Lilith by Ethan Smestad
And my favorite was:
Nana by Carl Walmsley
There were others I enjoyed greatly too. Only like 3 duds.
Dancing Little Marionettes by Megan Beadle
The Epic of Qu Shittu by Tobi Ogundiran
From This Side of the Rock by Yvette Lisa Ndlovi
Lilith by Ethan Smestad
And my favorite was:
Nana by Carl Walmsley
There were others I enjoyed greatly too. Only like 3 duds.
May 4, 2022
Another great issue, Loved the Phoenix Alexander story, and from this side of the rock Yvette Lisa Ndlovu.
May 6, 2022
Solid issue. I love Matthew Hughes's ongoing universe and Tge Mule didn't disappoint. Nana was one of the saddest stories I've ever read, the twist at the end hits like a sledgehammer.
May 25, 2022
NOVELETS
Dancing Little Marionettes - Megan Beadle (4 ½ stars)
The Mule - Matthew Hughes (3 stars)
Done In The Mire - Adriana C Grigore (4 stars)
The Epic Of Qu Shittu - Tobi Ogundiran (5 stars)
SHORT STORIES
Void - Rajeev Prasad (2½/3 stars)
These Brilliant Forms - Phoenix Alexander (3½ stars)
From This Side Of The Rock - Yvette Lisa Ndlovu (3½ stars)
Lilith - Ethan Smestad (3 stars)
Maker Of Chains - Sarah A Macklin (3 stars)
Where God Grows Wild - Frank Oreto (3½ stars)
Woven - Amanda Dier (5 stars)
Nana - Carl Walmsley (5 stars)
Spirit To Spirit, Dust To Dust - Anna Zumbro (3½ stars)
The Living Furniture - Yefim Zozulya (3 stars)
Dancing Little Marionettes - Megan Beadle (4 ½ stars)
The Mule - Matthew Hughes (3 stars)
Done In The Mire - Adriana C Grigore (4 stars)
The Epic Of Qu Shittu - Tobi Ogundiran (5 stars)
SHORT STORIES
Void - Rajeev Prasad (2½/3 stars)
These Brilliant Forms - Phoenix Alexander (3½ stars)
From This Side Of The Rock - Yvette Lisa Ndlovu (3½ stars)
Lilith - Ethan Smestad (3 stars)
Maker Of Chains - Sarah A Macklin (3 stars)
Where God Grows Wild - Frank Oreto (3½ stars)
Woven - Amanda Dier (5 stars)
Nana - Carl Walmsley (5 stars)
Spirit To Spirit, Dust To Dust - Anna Zumbro (3½ stars)
The Living Furniture - Yefim Zozulya (3 stars)
May 4, 2022
Dancing Little Marionettes - Megan Beadle ***
The Mule - Matthew Hughes ***
Done In The Mire - Adriana C Grigore ****
The Epic Of Qu Shittu - Tobi Ogundiran ****
Void - Rajeev Prasad **
These Brilliant Forms - Phoenix Alexander **
From This Side Of The Rock - Yvette Lisa Ndlovu ***
Lilith - Ethan Smestad **
Maker Of Chains - Sarah A Macklin ***
Where God Grows Wild - Frank Oreto ***
Woven - Amanda Dier **
Nana - Carl Walmsley ***
Spirit To Spirit, Dust To Dust - Anna Zumbro ***
The Living Furniture - Yefim Zozulya ***
The Mule - Matthew Hughes ***
Done In The Mire - Adriana C Grigore ****
The Epic Of Qu Shittu - Tobi Ogundiran ****
Void - Rajeev Prasad **
These Brilliant Forms - Phoenix Alexander **
From This Side Of The Rock - Yvette Lisa Ndlovu ***
Lilith - Ethan Smestad **
Maker Of Chains - Sarah A Macklin ***
Where God Grows Wild - Frank Oreto ***
Woven - Amanda Dier **
Nana - Carl Walmsley ***
Spirit To Spirit, Dust To Dust - Anna Zumbro ***
The Living Furniture - Yefim Zozulya ***
March 28, 2022
Lot of authors making first-time appearances in F&SF and I'm here for it. Some fantastic stories in this issue. "Dancing Little Marionettes" by Megan Beadle, "Woven" by Amanda Dier, and "Nana" by Carl Walmsley were particular favorites but really not a bad story in the bunch!
March 17, 2022
Some better than others. The Short Stories were stronger for me than the Novelets, but I did enjoy the cover story, Dancing Little Marionettes.
Nana is definitely sticking with me.
Nana is definitely sticking with me.
March 23, 2022
Where God Grows Wild by Frank Oreto
Excellent story with vivid characters and situations
Excellent story with vivid characters and situations
June 13, 2022
Not my favorite of the ones that I've read, but they can't all be winners. There were still a few really good stories in here but not the quantity that had been in the last few issues.
July 1, 2022
“Nana” by Carl Walmsley blew me away.
February 26, 2023
I liked “Nana” by Carl Walmsley
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews