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mikewhiteman's review
3.0
A Thousand Deaths Through Flesh And Stone - Brian Trent ***
Cloned consciousnesses of a supersoldier hunt down those of a war criminal on the run. The action is bog-standard but there are is a bit more depth hinted at in the interactions with the criminal's bodies and the hunter's superiors.
Witch's Hour - Shannon Connor Winward ***
A cook uses a blend of spices and magic to enhance her meals, balancing pleasing the new king with fending off the attentions of the ghost of her abusive predecessor. Rough and dirty, no innocents, no happy endings.
Dirty Old Town - Richard Bowes ***
Explores the changing relationships and perceptions throughout a life as people learn more about those around them. A little slow-moving.
The Prognosticant - Matthew Hughes ***
Continues the story from the previous issue, upping the fantasy in the second half. Both vignettes of Baldemar's life so far have been enjoyable, without getting to the next level.
The History Of The Invasion Told In Five Dogs - Kelly Jennings **
Short, standard sort of alien invasion story, with five dogs.
What The Hands Know - Gregor Hartmann **
Continuing on from a story a couple of issues ago, TV writer is drawn into a fight between a workers union and an overarching company. Mostly an extended fight scene and vague worryings about the union dispute.
The Woman With The Long Black Hair - Zach Shepard ****
Short but packs a lot in as a goddess travels around, dispensing gifts and punishments to those she meets.
My English Name - RS Benedict ****
Compares the emotional and physical difficulties of fitting in as a foreigner in China with an unknown being fitting in as a human. The struggle to maintain relationships while their body is literally falling apart hits hard.
The First Day Of Someone Else's Life - John Schoffstall **
Something about the setting and language of this one just didn't click for me. Otherwise, an ok story of personality transplants and corporate espionage.
Neko Brushes - Leah Cypess ***
Take on the Japanese fairytale of a boy who paints cats which come to life. A samurai wants to use his ability to help his army but things don't go to plan.
Rings - Nina Kiriki Hoffman ***
From an idea that had me leery - what if a society based entirely around women kept male slaves? - this one does get interesting and start to develop a little beyond "slavery and sexism are bad", but then seems to cut short just as it was warming up.
Cloned consciousnesses of a supersoldier hunt down those of a war criminal on the run. The action is bog-standard but there are is a bit more depth hinted at in the interactions with the criminal's bodies and the hunter's superiors.
Witch's Hour - Shannon Connor Winward ***
A cook uses a blend of spices and magic to enhance her meals, balancing pleasing the new king with fending off the attentions of the ghost of her abusive predecessor. Rough and dirty, no innocents, no happy endings.
Dirty Old Town - Richard Bowes ***
Explores the changing relationships and perceptions throughout a life as people learn more about those around them. A little slow-moving.
The Prognosticant - Matthew Hughes ***
Continues the story from the previous issue, upping the fantasy in the second half. Both vignettes of Baldemar's life so far have been enjoyable, without getting to the next level.
The History Of The Invasion Told In Five Dogs - Kelly Jennings **
Short, standard sort of alien invasion story, with five dogs.
What The Hands Know - Gregor Hartmann **
Continuing on from a story a couple of issues ago, TV writer is drawn into a fight between a workers union and an overarching company. Mostly an extended fight scene and vague worryings about the union dispute.
The Woman With The Long Black Hair - Zach Shepard ****
Short but packs a lot in as a goddess travels around, dispensing gifts and punishments to those she meets.
My English Name - RS Benedict ****
Compares the emotional and physical difficulties of fitting in as a foreigner in China with an unknown being fitting in as a human. The struggle to maintain relationships while their body is literally falling apart hits hard.
The First Day Of Someone Else's Life - John Schoffstall **
Something about the setting and language of this one just didn't click for me. Otherwise, an ok story of personality transplants and corporate espionage.
Neko Brushes - Leah Cypess ***
Take on the Japanese fairytale of a boy who paints cats which come to life. A samurai wants to use his ability to help his army but things don't go to plan.
Rings - Nina Kiriki Hoffman ***
From an idea that had me leery - what if a society based entirely around women kept male slaves? - this one does get interesting and start to develop a little beyond "slavery and sexism are bad", but then seems to cut short just as it was warming up.
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