This story reads like advertising copy for those seeking to buy their own play planet. It’s unlikely the owners will visit the planet but will observe the doings on it, like a kid with an ant farm. The reader can conclude the creatures who would invest in such projects are not afraid to spend moneyContinue reading “Review of “Three Reasons Why Your Experimental Planet Needs Humans” by Intisar Khanani”
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Review of “Leaving Earth for Love” by Irene Montaner
The Fermi Paradox, the reader is told, is resolved when aliens hijack Tinder. Most people assumed the odd profiles were a joke. However, one lonely girl in a Scottish suburb made a connection. Her date could have passed for human even with his rows of sharp teeth were it not for the cone on hisContinue reading “Review of “Leaving Earth for Love” by Irene Montaner”
Review of “John Granger” by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Susy Lorton has just turned down John Granger’s marriage proposal. She hopes they can remain friends. John’s heart is broken. His lease on the old farm of Friarsgate is up. He’d planned to renew it and make her mistress of the place—oh. There’s someone else, he realizes. She admits as much. Robert Ashley. Well, JohnContinue reading “Review of “John Granger” by Mary Elizabeth Braddon”
Review of “takotsubo cardiomyopathy” by Gage Johnston
Ruby and Tom met at a “pitch,” a job interview. Neither got the job, but they went out together for a drink. They decided to “share a space.” Because they didn’t take a compatibility test, they had to pay an extra deposit. Everything goes well until Ruby gets a promotion. Now, she will be makingContinue reading “Review of “takotsubo cardiomyopathy” by Gage Johnston”
Review of “The Case of the Fiery Fingers” by Erle Stanley Gardner
Perry Mason, attorney at law, is just returning to his office from a long day at court. His secretary, Della Street, has a pile of letters for him to sign, and one client to see. The potential has been waiting for an hour. Mason at first demurs, but Della tells him the girl is inContinue reading “Review of “The Case of the Fiery Fingers” by Erle Stanley Gardner”
Review of “Say ‘Cheese!'” by John Francis Keane
The story opens with an invitation: “Let us go to the place. It is time for us to live forever.” This could mean a couple of things. It becomes especially intriguing when the reader learns the tribe’s children stay behind in the care of “old Sundoo” because they cannot sit still long enough to liveContinue reading “Review of “Say ‘Cheese!’” by John Francis Keane”
Review of “After the First Comes the Last” by Holly Lyn Walrath
Plot: Aria’s first spell is almost an accident, but it fills a need. She wants to lift the stain out of the carpet, so her mother will not know she has been smoking. Beyond that, she fills a need she did not know she had. She is satisfied—happy, empowered—that she could make a spell work.Continue reading “Review of “After the First Comes the Last” by Holly Lyn Walrath”
Review of “It Will Be Under the Next Stone” by Jennifer Linnaea
She is the best, Hananh tells the reader. Her name is Gwenneth. Among her sensitivities are the ability to “overhear a conversation between spirits in a gurgling brook or overturn those rare rocks with djinn correspondence carved on the bottom.” Hananh herself is sensitive. She knows the acacias have been talking about her, but sheContinue reading “Review of “It Will Be Under the Next Stone” by Jennifer Linnaea”
Review of “The Space Radio (Isaac and Sarah and the Star)” by Wayne Haroutunian
Aging Mortimer Cain still sits on a rocking chair on his back porch, gazing out over the waves at a particular star. The beach by his home is empty now, but a young man—hardly more than a boy—used come to the shoreline in all sorts of weather with a radio. Eyes fixed toward the sky,Continue reading “Review of “The Space Radio (Isaac and Sarah and the Star)” by Wayne Haroutunian”
Review of “The Things That We Will Never Say” by Vanessa Fogg
Aside from the science fiction trappings, this is a portrait of an adult daughter’s relationship with her aging mother. The daughter has left home—Earth—for a distant star. She returns, braving the hyperspace travel, bringing her children for a visit with their grandma. The daughter straddles both worlds now: her adopted home and Earth. She knowsContinue reading “Review of “The Things That We Will Never Say” by Vanessa Fogg”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 