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The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Vol. 144, Nos. 5 & 6, May/June 2023
Quarterly genre anthology of Science fiction, fantasy, and horror short fiction and poetry.
258 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2023
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11 people want to read
About the author
Sheree Renée Thomas
77 books239 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 28, 2023
A better than average issue, with good stories by Fawaz Al-Matrouk, Matthew Hughes, Kiran Kaur Sain, Ferdison Cayetano and Fatima Taqvi.
- "On The Mysterious Events at Rosetta" by Fawaz Al-Matrouk: via a series of letters, a story is told during the time of France's conquest of Egypt, of the discovery of a mysterious Egyptian tomb, and the curse that is unleashed when the tomb was opened.
- "The Dire Delusion" by Matthew Hughes: an investigation into the theft of religious relics, taken from thieves who had stolen them from various temples in the city, leads to the discovery of a plot that might unsettle the city.
- "Amrit" by Kiran Kaur Saini: a story of an elderly man who is reluctantly assigned a robot helper and housekeeper named Amrit. Amrit gradually changes the grumpy mood of the old man, but apparently goes too far when Amrit suggest he reconnects to his estranged son. What happens next would change the character of the old man and Amrit.
- "In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward" by Lark Morgan Lu: a fantasy story about a magical fox who, with a human, returns to his ancestral land to settle the affairs of her fox mother before she dies. But it is tense, with the mother disagreeing with the son over his modern lifestyle while he has to deal with her hoarding things over the century that he now has to deal with.
- "A Conjure-Horse in San Ouvido" by Ferdison Cayetano: set in the time of the American occupation of the Philippines, it tells the story of a black soldier facing racism and second thoughts as the white soldiers of his company abuse the natives. Then one native reaches out to him, and they find a connection, for they both have magic and use it to bond and connect to deal with the soldiers.
- "Highway Requiem" by T. R. Napper: in a future where truck driving is becoming a dying job due to automation, one of the last truck drivers is struggling to make a delivery and keep his job. Then a crisis on his latest job forces a reevaluation of what is important to him while doing the job.
- "The Lucky Star" by Dr. Bunny McFadden: on Titan, one person in charge of mapping an area balks at the task when it would reveal the secret of a bar. But as it turns out, its secret isn't so secret after all.
- "For the Benefit of Mr. Khite" by Zig Zag Claybourne: an intelligence in charge of an artificial orbiting station ponders the meaning of living.
- "Time And Art" by Barbara Krasnoff: and old lady gets her wish for more time to do what she wants to do; but at a price.
- "I Paint the Light with My Mother’s Bones" by K. J. Aspey: a disturbing, horror story of a girl who wanted to hide away from everybody and gets her wish. But now she wants out.
- "We Are Happy to Serve You" by Margaret Dunlap: workers grumble at the 'smart' food dispenser which serves out what the workers don't really want. Until, one day, the dispenser has had enough.
- "Titan Retreat" by Ria Rees: a woman who used to see the dark skies with her children now wants to get away from it, and goes to the only place where that is possible.
- "Knotty Girl" by Melissa A. Watkins: a variation on the fairy tale about a girl who stays in a high tower and lets down her hair for a magical person to enter. At first, the relationship appears affectionate. But as she grows older and gains knowledge of the outside world via books, she realizes the relationship is not to her advantage. And then, one day, she gets the chance to escape and, perhaps, to regrow the world she knows.
- "A Truth So Loyal and Vicious" by Fatima Taqvi: a story that starts with a mother that gives birth to twins, one fated to be fortunate, the other to be unfortunate. As the story develops, you start to wonder who are really the fortunate and unfortunate ones.
- "On The Mysterious Events at Rosetta" by Fawaz Al-Matrouk: via a series of letters, a story is told during the time of France's conquest of Egypt, of the discovery of a mysterious Egyptian tomb, and the curse that is unleashed when the tomb was opened.
- "The Dire Delusion" by Matthew Hughes: an investigation into the theft of religious relics, taken from thieves who had stolen them from various temples in the city, leads to the discovery of a plot that might unsettle the city.
- "Amrit" by Kiran Kaur Saini: a story of an elderly man who is reluctantly assigned a robot helper and housekeeper named Amrit. Amrit gradually changes the grumpy mood of the old man, but apparently goes too far when Amrit suggest he reconnects to his estranged son. What happens next would change the character of the old man and Amrit.
- "In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward" by Lark Morgan Lu: a fantasy story about a magical fox who, with a human, returns to his ancestral land to settle the affairs of her fox mother before she dies. But it is tense, with the mother disagreeing with the son over his modern lifestyle while he has to deal with her hoarding things over the century that he now has to deal with.
- "A Conjure-Horse in San Ouvido" by Ferdison Cayetano: set in the time of the American occupation of the Philippines, it tells the story of a black soldier facing racism and second thoughts as the white soldiers of his company abuse the natives. Then one native reaches out to him, and they find a connection, for they both have magic and use it to bond and connect to deal with the soldiers.
- "Highway Requiem" by T. R. Napper: in a future where truck driving is becoming a dying job due to automation, one of the last truck drivers is struggling to make a delivery and keep his job. Then a crisis on his latest job forces a reevaluation of what is important to him while doing the job.
- "The Lucky Star" by Dr. Bunny McFadden: on Titan, one person in charge of mapping an area balks at the task when it would reveal the secret of a bar. But as it turns out, its secret isn't so secret after all.
- "For the Benefit of Mr. Khite" by Zig Zag Claybourne: an intelligence in charge of an artificial orbiting station ponders the meaning of living.
- "Time And Art" by Barbara Krasnoff: and old lady gets her wish for more time to do what she wants to do; but at a price.
- "I Paint the Light with My Mother’s Bones" by K. J. Aspey: a disturbing, horror story of a girl who wanted to hide away from everybody and gets her wish. But now she wants out.
- "We Are Happy to Serve You" by Margaret Dunlap: workers grumble at the 'smart' food dispenser which serves out what the workers don't really want. Until, one day, the dispenser has had enough.
- "Titan Retreat" by Ria Rees: a woman who used to see the dark skies with her children now wants to get away from it, and goes to the only place where that is possible.
- "Knotty Girl" by Melissa A. Watkins: a variation on the fairy tale about a girl who stays in a high tower and lets down her hair for a magical person to enter. At first, the relationship appears affectionate. But as she grows older and gains knowledge of the outside world via books, she realizes the relationship is not to her advantage. And then, one day, she gets the chance to escape and, perhaps, to regrow the world she knows.
- "A Truth So Loyal and Vicious" by Fatima Taqvi: a story that starts with a mother that gives birth to twins, one fated to be fortunate, the other to be unfortunate. As the story develops, you start to wonder who are really the fortunate and unfortunate ones.
May 16, 2023
Some powerful stories in this issue. I'm looking at you Fatima Taqvi and Kiran Kaur Saini!
Here are my favorites:
- On the Mysterious Events at Rosetta by Fawaz Al-Matrouk
You don’t need a Rosetta Stone
To know which way the mummy goes
Napoleon’s military discover that ancient curses aren’t much interested in Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.
- The Dire Delusion by Matthew Hughes
“Once you’ve winnowed away the chaff, you make your bread out of what grain remains.”
Discriminator Cascor has stumbled on a nefarious and convoluted scheme to do…what exactly? The game is afoot!
- Amrit by Kiran Kaur Saini
Social isolation in the elderly is a serious health problem and leads to an increase in dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression/anxiety and overall mortality.
Perhaps A.I./robots can help with this problem, but—as this excellent story points out—there may need to be a proactive reprogramming on both sides of the equation.
- In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward by Lark Morgan Lu
A jiǔwěihú (nine-tailed fox spirit) who is chasing the American Dream, treks back to China to settle the affairs of his dying mother. Conflict, disappointment and failed expectations; a marvelous allegory for the problems that immigrants face in bridging two cultures.
- A Conjure Horse in San Ouvido by Ferdison Cayetano
A love story that crosses the vastness of ocean, culture, and a siege line. A story that also taught me much about:
* Buffalo Soldiers
* White supremacy in the Philippine war
* Gullah folk
* Haints & hags
* And, of course, a conjure horse.
Highway Requiem by T.R. Napper
I'm goin' out on the highway
Listen to them big trucks whine
White freight liner
Won't you steal away my mind?
- Townes Van Zandt
A trucker tries to make it against insurmountable odds, but money wants to make more money.
- For the Benefit of Mr. Khite by Zig Zag Claybourne
Post-singularity, a single entity tends to the remaining humans while Intelligences gradually abandon them. But who will tend to the entity? A sad story about being caught between.
- Time and Art by Barbara Krasnoff
Would you trade hours or days from the very end of your life for hours or days RIGHT NOW? Medical economists nod and say “DALY." Artists nod in agreement.
- I Paint the Light with My Mother’s Bones by K. J. Aspey
Will the worsening horrors of her existence push a hikikomori into leaving the safety of her cave? A disturbing, yet compelling story.
- We are Happy to Serve You by Margaret Dunlap
The new food replicator is not made by Sirius Cybernetic Corp, but it might as well be. Have a nice day! #FabulousFlashFic
- Titan Retreat by Ria Rees
Trading a starry sky for thick red one can be a comfort for some. #FabulousFlashFic
- Knotty Girl by Melissa A. Watkins
Marvelous mashup of a fairy tale and a myth which starts out mellow, then slowly descends into ominous terror. Don’t mess with the hair!
- A Truth So Loyal and Vicious by Fatima Taqvi
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no
- J. Fogerty
Fortune, fate and expectations are not always as straightforward as they first seem. A lushly drawn fantasy that has a lesson for all of us who are child and parent.
Here are my favorites:
- On the Mysterious Events at Rosetta by Fawaz Al-Matrouk
You don’t need a Rosetta Stone
To know which way the mummy goes
Napoleon’s military discover that ancient curses aren’t much interested in Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.
- The Dire Delusion by Matthew Hughes
“Once you’ve winnowed away the chaff, you make your bread out of what grain remains.”
Discriminator Cascor has stumbled on a nefarious and convoluted scheme to do…what exactly? The game is afoot!
- Amrit by Kiran Kaur Saini
Social isolation in the elderly is a serious health problem and leads to an increase in dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression/anxiety and overall mortality.
Perhaps A.I./robots can help with this problem, but—as this excellent story points out—there may need to be a proactive reprogramming on both sides of the equation.
- In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward by Lark Morgan Lu
A jiǔwěihú (nine-tailed fox spirit) who is chasing the American Dream, treks back to China to settle the affairs of his dying mother. Conflict, disappointment and failed expectations; a marvelous allegory for the problems that immigrants face in bridging two cultures.
- A Conjure Horse in San Ouvido by Ferdison Cayetano
A love story that crosses the vastness of ocean, culture, and a siege line. A story that also taught me much about:
* Buffalo Soldiers
* White supremacy in the Philippine war
* Gullah folk
* Haints & hags
* And, of course, a conjure horse.
Highway Requiem by T.R. Napper
I'm goin' out on the highway
Listen to them big trucks whine
White freight liner
Won't you steal away my mind?
- Townes Van Zandt
A trucker tries to make it against insurmountable odds, but money wants to make more money.
- For the Benefit of Mr. Khite by Zig Zag Claybourne
Post-singularity, a single entity tends to the remaining humans while Intelligences gradually abandon them. But who will tend to the entity? A sad story about being caught between.
- Time and Art by Barbara Krasnoff
Would you trade hours or days from the very end of your life for hours or days RIGHT NOW? Medical economists nod and say “DALY." Artists nod in agreement.
- I Paint the Light with My Mother’s Bones by K. J. Aspey
Will the worsening horrors of her existence push a hikikomori into leaving the safety of her cave? A disturbing, yet compelling story.
- We are Happy to Serve You by Margaret Dunlap
The new food replicator is not made by Sirius Cybernetic Corp, but it might as well be. Have a nice day! #FabulousFlashFic
- Titan Retreat by Ria Rees
Trading a starry sky for thick red one can be a comfort for some. #FabulousFlashFic
- Knotty Girl by Melissa A. Watkins
Marvelous mashup of a fairy tale and a myth which starts out mellow, then slowly descends into ominous terror. Don’t mess with the hair!
- A Truth So Loyal and Vicious by Fatima Taqvi
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no
- J. Fogerty
Fortune, fate and expectations are not always as straightforward as they first seem. A lushly drawn fantasy that has a lesson for all of us who are child and parent.
March 8, 2024
This is the May/June 2023 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. There are several solid shorter pieces.
Contents:
Letter from the Editor: Meteoric, Lunar [Editorial (F&SF)] essay by Sheree Renée Thomas she collects stones from places she visits. 2*
On the Mysterious Events at Rosetta short story by Fawaz Al-Matrouk a horror story presented as a series of letters – During the Napoleonic occupation of Egypt (1808?) two French officers investigated a locale where Rosetta stone was found and were murdered. An Arab who was with them is accused, while he claims a mummy-like apparition is to blame. It is interesting that the author plays ‘land itself rebels against (Later British) invaders’ and the apparition writing in Arabic script, missing that Egyptians are not Arabs (Modern Egyptians are only 17% Arab according to their. DNA, with the rest of modern Egyptians' genetic makeup being 68% North African). 3*
The Dire Delusion novelette by Matthew Hughes a fantasy detective story. The protagonist, Cascor is a discriminator and has a rag tag team that supply investigative services. This time (this is a part of the series but the only one I’ve read) several thieves take jobs outside of their Ancient and Honorable Guild of Purloiners and Purveyors to steal stuff and later, when they had to deliver the objects to their client, they unexpectedly fall asleep losing it. It turns out no magic or potion but a work of trancers. But trancers are forbidden in this city after an accident that gave the story its name. 3*
Amrit short story by Kiran Kaur Saini an old (Indian? There is a lot about turbans) man Fox Singh gets “Amrit, your Senior Well-Being Unit” that should take care for him – cooking, washing, playing chess, talking. Fox likes his solitude and doesn’t want any help (while we as readers see he needs it). Can a robot mellow him? 3*
In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward short story by Lark Morgan Lu Josephine is asked by her friend Todd as his fiancée during their visit to his mom. But Todd is a fox with nine tails, who just looks human for most people except the likes of Josy. His mother is another nine-tailed fox and also a hoarder. Their job to clear out a her place. Feel yourself a toy in arms of gods type of horror. 2.5*
By Starlight poem by Gretchen Tessmer
Silver Locks poem by Gretchen Tessmer
A Conjure-Horse in San Ouvido short story by Ferdison Cayetano 1899, the Phillipine-American War, a black American soldier with Carolina magic of stampeding ghostly horses meets local rebels with their magic. His white comrades are rapists, racists and torturers, the locals want him to defect to them. A bit too black and white – white supremacist murderers vs non-white heroes. However, the story made me read more on the war and several other items. 3.5*
Highway Requiem short story by T. R. Napper one of the last truck drivers in a near future Australia. In the USA truck driving is already done by AI after truckers there tried to strike. Now he is possibly on his last run, struggling to make a delivery and keep his job. He is a very well portrayed angry blue color workers, hating those collage kids, with their lattes and socialist slogans. 4*
Books To Look For (F&SF, May/June 2023) [Books to Look for] essay by Charles de Lint
Films: Embodying Buddha in After Yang [Films (F&SF)] essay by Karin Lowachee
Films: Sand, Through an Hourglass [Films (F&SF)] essay by David J. Skal
The Lucky Star short story by Dr. Bunny McFadden Tess is a lesbian on a Saturn’s satellite with too few choices. after a rough day mapping the shifting sands of Titan, she visits the only LGBTQ+ friendly bar (see title) for a drink. 2*
For the Benefit of Mr. Khite short story by Zig Zag Claybourne Mr. Khite is a clone created to be the intermediary between the humans, the Intelligences on the giant spaceship New Tangier. Its job is so boring that I DNFed
Time and Art short story by Barbara Krasnoff the shopkeeper of a magic shop supplies a customer, who wants free time to have some art done, with time. The catch is that that present time is ‘make of’ her future time. 3*
Coming Attractions (F&SF, May/June 2023) essay by uncredited
I Paint the Light with My Mother's Bones short story by K. J. Aspey a horror of a girl locked for years in a cellar, because her magic may destroy the world. And now she is about to get free. 2.5*
We Are Happy to Serve You short story by Margaret Dunlap possibly an allusion to Hugo 1951 winner TO SERVE MAN by Damon Knight. Here a lot of species work on a planet, where the only food available – from a food replicator that has only a dozen options work for all, which causes an irate reaction and a punchline response. 2.75*
Titan Retreat short story by Ria Rees Denner, the narrator has lost ‘his girls’ (a wife and a daughter) with whom he liked to look at the stars. He finds a place he cannot see the stars. 3*
The Wren in the Hold poem by Shaoni C. White
Without Any Sound but the Sea poem by Shaoni C. White
Knotty Girl short story by Melissa A. Watkins a mix of post-apoc and Rapunzel – a girl grows up in a tower, visited only by her ‘uncle Buddy’, who magics her hair to grow to be used as a ladder. As she hits puberty, his looks turn naughty and she has to leave but how? 3.25*
Chapter and Verse (F&SF, May/June 2023) [Chapter and Verse] essay by Alex Jennings this made me appreciate SFF poetry more. 4*
Science: Fun in the Sun [Science (F&SF)] essay by Jerry Oltion make your solar clocks. 3*
Project Exodus poem by J. A. Pak
A Truth So Loyal and Vicious novelette by Fatima Taqvi DNF
Curiosities: Weird Islands, by Jean de Bosschère (1921) [Curiosities (essays)] essay by Paul Di Filippo A book by an artist with his illustrations.
Contents:
Letter from the Editor: Meteoric, Lunar [Editorial (F&SF)] essay by Sheree Renée Thomas she collects stones from places she visits. 2*
On the Mysterious Events at Rosetta short story by Fawaz Al-Matrouk a horror story presented as a series of letters – During the Napoleonic occupation of Egypt (1808?) two French officers investigated a locale where Rosetta stone was found and were murdered. An Arab who was with them is accused, while he claims a mummy-like apparition is to blame. It is interesting that the author plays ‘land itself rebels against (Later British) invaders’ and the apparition writing in Arabic script, missing that Egyptians are not Arabs (Modern Egyptians are only 17% Arab according to their. DNA, with the rest of modern Egyptians' genetic makeup being 68% North African). 3*
The Dire Delusion novelette by Matthew Hughes a fantasy detective story. The protagonist, Cascor is a discriminator and has a rag tag team that supply investigative services. This time (this is a part of the series but the only one I’ve read) several thieves take jobs outside of their Ancient and Honorable Guild of Purloiners and Purveyors to steal stuff and later, when they had to deliver the objects to their client, they unexpectedly fall asleep losing it. It turns out no magic or potion but a work of trancers. But trancers are forbidden in this city after an accident that gave the story its name. 3*
Amrit short story by Kiran Kaur Saini an old (Indian? There is a lot about turbans) man Fox Singh gets “Amrit, your Senior Well-Being Unit” that should take care for him – cooking, washing, playing chess, talking. Fox likes his solitude and doesn’t want any help (while we as readers see he needs it). Can a robot mellow him? 3*
In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward short story by Lark Morgan Lu Josephine is asked by her friend Todd as his fiancée during their visit to his mom. But Todd is a fox with nine tails, who just looks human for most people except the likes of Josy. His mother is another nine-tailed fox and also a hoarder. Their job to clear out a her place. Feel yourself a toy in arms of gods type of horror. 2.5*
By Starlight poem by Gretchen Tessmer
Silver Locks poem by Gretchen Tessmer
A Conjure-Horse in San Ouvido short story by Ferdison Cayetano 1899, the Phillipine-American War, a black American soldier with Carolina magic of stampeding ghostly horses meets local rebels with their magic. His white comrades are rapists, racists and torturers, the locals want him to defect to them. A bit too black and white – white supremacist murderers vs non-white heroes. However, the story made me read more on the war and several other items. 3.5*
Highway Requiem short story by T. R. Napper one of the last truck drivers in a near future Australia. In the USA truck driving is already done by AI after truckers there tried to strike. Now he is possibly on his last run, struggling to make a delivery and keep his job. He is a very well portrayed angry blue color workers, hating those collage kids, with their lattes and socialist slogans. 4*
Books To Look For (F&SF, May/June 2023) [Books to Look for] essay by Charles de Lint
Films: Embodying Buddha in After Yang [Films (F&SF)] essay by Karin Lowachee
Films: Sand, Through an Hourglass [Films (F&SF)] essay by David J. Skal
The Lucky Star short story by Dr. Bunny McFadden Tess is a lesbian on a Saturn’s satellite with too few choices. after a rough day mapping the shifting sands of Titan, she visits the only LGBTQ+ friendly bar (see title) for a drink. 2*
For the Benefit of Mr. Khite short story by Zig Zag Claybourne Mr. Khite is a clone created to be the intermediary between the humans, the Intelligences on the giant spaceship New Tangier. Its job is so boring that I DNFed
Time and Art short story by Barbara Krasnoff the shopkeeper of a magic shop supplies a customer, who wants free time to have some art done, with time. The catch is that that present time is ‘make of’ her future time. 3*
Coming Attractions (F&SF, May/June 2023) essay by uncredited
I Paint the Light with My Mother's Bones short story by K. J. Aspey a horror of a girl locked for years in a cellar, because her magic may destroy the world. And now she is about to get free. 2.5*
We Are Happy to Serve You short story by Margaret Dunlap possibly an allusion to Hugo 1951 winner TO SERVE MAN by Damon Knight. Here a lot of species work on a planet, where the only food available – from a food replicator that has only a dozen options work for all, which causes an irate reaction and a punchline response. 2.75*
Titan Retreat short story by Ria Rees Denner, the narrator has lost ‘his girls’ (a wife and a daughter) with whom he liked to look at the stars. He finds a place he cannot see the stars. 3*
The Wren in the Hold poem by Shaoni C. White
Without Any Sound but the Sea poem by Shaoni C. White
Knotty Girl short story by Melissa A. Watkins a mix of post-apoc and Rapunzel – a girl grows up in a tower, visited only by her ‘uncle Buddy’, who magics her hair to grow to be used as a ladder. As she hits puberty, his looks turn naughty and she has to leave but how? 3.25*
Chapter and Verse (F&SF, May/June 2023) [Chapter and Verse] essay by Alex Jennings this made me appreciate SFF poetry more. 4*
Science: Fun in the Sun [Science (F&SF)] essay by Jerry Oltion make your solar clocks. 3*
Project Exodus poem by J. A. Pak
A Truth So Loyal and Vicious novelette by Fatima Taqvi DNF
Curiosities: Weird Islands, by Jean de Bosschère (1921) [Curiosities (essays)] essay by Paul Di Filippo A book by an artist with his illustrations.
May 26, 2023
A solid issue. I look forward to any issues with Matthew Hughes and The Dire Delusion didn't disappoint. I love stories that feel like fairy tales and Knotty Girl and A Truth So Loyal and Vicious were both excellent.
June 13, 2023
7 • On the Mysterious Events at Rosetta • 14 pages by Fawaz Al-Matrouk
OK. Three men enter a tomb. Two are killed. The third is convicted of their murder. Nobody believes his innocence until there are more similar deaths.
21 • The Dire Delusion • 50 pages by Matthew Hughes
Very Good+. Cascor is hired by a thief who fell into a deep sleep when trying to deliver the object he was commissioned to steal. Early investigation determines that the same thing happened to others. The story flowed smoothly, these fifty pages flew by like twenty.
71 • Amrit • 21 pages by Kiran Kaur Saini
Excellent/Very Good. Fox receives Amrit, a helper robot. He doesn’t need help. Doesn’t want it, but after a while Amrit makes itself useful. Every thing is fine until it starts bringing up painful subjects. Starts with a good measure of humor and the change in Fox is believable and really well done.
92 • In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward • 11 pages by Lark Morgan Lu
OK. Josephine accompanies her fox friend to see his mother. Her presence is supposed to stop family bickering. It doesn’t and they eventually leave. The story was readable but I missed the point.
106 • A Conjure-Horse in San Ouvido • 17 pages by Ferdison Cayetano
Fair. Preacher is transferred to the Philippines where he’s the only black soldier in the company. The other side has some magic. Using birds to spy and/or keep the soldiers from sleeping. Preacher has some magic to counteract this, and even communicate with their magician.
123 • Highway Requium • 20 pages by T. R. Napper
Fair. Kev is a trucker. His job is being replaced by automation though it has been staved off for a while by extra regulations and tighter schedules.
163 • The Lucky Star • 7 pages by Dr. Bunny Mcfadden
OK/Fair. Tess puts down her backpack with intrusive recording device while she goes into The Lucky Star for a quick drink. It’s safe this is a remote area of Titan.
170 • For the Benefit of Mr. Khite • 19 pages by Zig Zag Claybourne
Poor. Too existential for me. Khite keeps things running on Tangiers. Intelligences leave the space station every so often. Heading off to colonize somewhere else (l think). Meanwhile the population of human and intelligence live on. Meija and Lincoln come to Khite who acts (what appears to me) like a marriage counselor.
189 • Time and Art • 5 pages by Barbara Kransoff
Good+. A woman comes to a witch asking for more time. In the end the witch gives her a way to borrow time.
194 • I Paint the Light with My Mother's Bones • 3 pages by K. J. Aspey
OK/Fair. A girl retreats from the world and bends her surroundings accordingly.
197 • We Are Happy to Serve You • 2 pages by Margaret Dunlap
OK. The narrator is ordering lunch from a replicator longing for food from Earth. Enigmatic ending statement rather than the usual zinger.
199 • Titan Retreat • 3 pages by Ria Rees
Fair/OK. The narrator lost his girls (wife/daughter? Two daughters?) and it’s now time to move on.
206 • Knotty Girl • 17 pages by Melissa A. Watkins
Very Good. A Rapunzel like story. Girl in a tower having only known uncle Buddy her entire life. As she gets older she starts having reservations about uncle Buddy.
235 • A Truth So Loyal and Visious • 23 pages by Fatima Taqvi
Good+. Amma got a prophecy when her twin daughters were born. One would be fortunate the other unfortunate. It seemingly played out that way, but Dukh wasn’t going to compromise her opinions just to be more favored.
OK. Three men enter a tomb. Two are killed. The third is convicted of their murder. Nobody believes his innocence until there are more similar deaths.
21 • The Dire Delusion • 50 pages by Matthew Hughes
Very Good+. Cascor is hired by a thief who fell into a deep sleep when trying to deliver the object he was commissioned to steal. Early investigation determines that the same thing happened to others. The story flowed smoothly, these fifty pages flew by like twenty.
71 • Amrit • 21 pages by Kiran Kaur Saini
Excellent/Very Good. Fox receives Amrit, a helper robot. He doesn’t need help. Doesn’t want it, but after a while Amrit makes itself useful. Every thing is fine until it starts bringing up painful subjects. Starts with a good measure of humor and the change in Fox is believable and really well done.
92 • In Time, All Foxes Grieve Westward • 11 pages by Lark Morgan Lu
OK. Josephine accompanies her fox friend to see his mother. Her presence is supposed to stop family bickering. It doesn’t and they eventually leave. The story was readable but I missed the point.
106 • A Conjure-Horse in San Ouvido • 17 pages by Ferdison Cayetano
Fair. Preacher is transferred to the Philippines where he’s the only black soldier in the company. The other side has some magic. Using birds to spy and/or keep the soldiers from sleeping. Preacher has some magic to counteract this, and even communicate with their magician.
123 • Highway Requium • 20 pages by T. R. Napper
Fair. Kev is a trucker. His job is being replaced by automation though it has been staved off for a while by extra regulations and tighter schedules.
163 • The Lucky Star • 7 pages by Dr. Bunny Mcfadden
OK/Fair. Tess puts down her backpack with intrusive recording device while she goes into The Lucky Star for a quick drink. It’s safe this is a remote area of Titan.
170 • For the Benefit of Mr. Khite • 19 pages by Zig Zag Claybourne
Poor. Too existential for me. Khite keeps things running on Tangiers. Intelligences leave the space station every so often. Heading off to colonize somewhere else (l think). Meanwhile the population of human and intelligence live on. Meija and Lincoln come to Khite who acts (what appears to me) like a marriage counselor.
189 • Time and Art • 5 pages by Barbara Kransoff
Good+. A woman comes to a witch asking for more time. In the end the witch gives her a way to borrow time.
194 • I Paint the Light with My Mother's Bones • 3 pages by K. J. Aspey
OK/Fair. A girl retreats from the world and bends her surroundings accordingly.
197 • We Are Happy to Serve You • 2 pages by Margaret Dunlap
OK. The narrator is ordering lunch from a replicator longing for food from Earth. Enigmatic ending statement rather than the usual zinger.
199 • Titan Retreat • 3 pages by Ria Rees
Fair/OK. The narrator lost his girls (wife/daughter? Two daughters?) and it’s now time to move on.
206 • Knotty Girl • 17 pages by Melissa A. Watkins
Very Good. A Rapunzel like story. Girl in a tower having only known uncle Buddy her entire life. As she gets older she starts having reservations about uncle Buddy.
235 • A Truth So Loyal and Visious • 23 pages by Fatima Taqvi
Good+. Amma got a prophecy when her twin daughters were born. One would be fortunate the other unfortunate. It seemingly played out that way, but Dukh wasn’t going to compromise her opinions just to be more favored.
June 5, 2023
A mixed bag of treasures and trash.
June 27, 2023
I've been reading this magazine most of my life and this was one of the best editions I've ever read. Bravo to Sheree Renée Thomas! Naturally, she nailed it.
June 25, 2023
I liked the story Amrit, and T.R Napper story best in this issue. I generally preferthe more SF stories than fantasy ones. Always good stuff
April 28, 2025
Overall, it was a three star collection of short stories and I'll admit to only reading the stories in the magazine, not the articles. All of the stories were well written and interesting, but Knotty Girl by Melissa A Watkins was outstanding. A really a great story which was a modern reimagining of the well known Rapunzel tale. I liked it so much I tracked down the author on social media and sent her a message to say thank you. Mysterious. Emotional. Disturbing. Surprising. Watkins had me feeling all sorts of things. I really loved Knotty Girl. It's worth buying a copy of this magazine just to read that one story.
I also liked Amrit, a story about a personal assistant robot sent to man by his son from whom he was estranged, although the ending was flat. Last mention: For the Benefit of Mr. Kite was an intriguing tale about I'm not quite sure what: a highly imaginative and somewhat tragic love story, I think. it didn't really go anywhere but I was fascinated by it.
I also liked Amrit, a story about a personal assistant robot sent to man by his son from whom he was estranged, although the ending was flat. Last mention: For the Benefit of Mr. Kite was an intriguing tale about I'm not quite sure what: a highly imaginative and somewhat tragic love story, I think. it didn't really go anywhere but I was fascinated by it.
August 21, 2023
Stories I loved:
Amrit by Kiran Kaur Saini - Amrit is a robot personal assistant who reminds Fox Singh what the important things in life are.
Highway Requiem by T.R. Napper - A truck driver is struggling to provide a living for himself as the world changes around him.
Stories I liked:
Knotty Girl by Melissa A. Watkins - a Rapunzel retelling that was fantastic
On the Mysterious Events at Rosetta by Fawaz Al-Matrouk - a mummy/curse story that was told like Dracula
The Dire Delusion by Matthew Hughes (novelette) - A story about thieves with memory problems
Time and Art by Barbara Krasnoff - Would you trade the ability to do your heart's desire for years on your life?
Amrit by Kiran Kaur Saini - Amrit is a robot personal assistant who reminds Fox Singh what the important things in life are.
Highway Requiem by T.R. Napper - A truck driver is struggling to provide a living for himself as the world changes around him.
Stories I liked:
Knotty Girl by Melissa A. Watkins - a Rapunzel retelling that was fantastic
On the Mysterious Events at Rosetta by Fawaz Al-Matrouk - a mummy/curse story that was told like Dracula
The Dire Delusion by Matthew Hughes (novelette) - A story about thieves with memory problems
Time and Art by Barbara Krasnoff - Would you trade the ability to do your heart's desire for years on your life?
July 20, 2023
Lot of great stories in this issue. Nice to see Matthew Hughes back, but mainly I was impressed by how many first-timers (both to the magazine and first fiction publication!) were in this issue of F&SF and how good their stories were! Good variety of lengths, too. A couple novelettes, some flash, some longer stories, some shorter ones. "On the Mysterious Events" at Rosetta by Fawaz Al-Matrouk and "Amrit" by by Kiran Kaur Saini were two favorites here.
September 12, 2023
Very excellent edition (cw suicide and depression).
Favs included "All Foxes Grieve Westward," "For the Benefit of Mr Khite," and "A Truth So Loyal and Vicious." But like, all of the stories were good; this is probably one of my favourite editions in the past couple of years.
Favs included "All Foxes Grieve Westward," "For the Benefit of Mr Khite," and "A Truth So Loyal and Vicious." But like, all of the stories were good; this is probably one of my favourite editions in the past couple of years.
July 1, 2023
Didn't like very many stories in this magazine
January 16, 2025
This issue is heavy with fantasy but I still found some interesting stories.
November 9, 2023
Ferdison
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