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The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Vol. 145, Nos. 3 & 4, September/October 2023
A Half-Remembered World – Aimee Ogden
NOVELETS
Shining Shores – Max Firehammer
Bayanihan – Maricar Macario
Three Sisters Syzygy – Christopher Mark Rose
Upstairs – Tessa Yang
SHORT STORIES
Sort Code – Chris Barnham
What We Found In The Forest – Phoebe Wood
Mixtapes From Neptune – Karter Mycroft
To Pluck A Twisted String – Anne Leonard
My Embroidery Stitches Are Me – A Humphrey Lanham
Teatro Anatomico – Getty Hesse
Night Haul – Andrew Crowley
On The Matter Of Homo Sapiens – Kel Coleman
Sugar Steak – Jenny Kiefer
Growths – Nina Kiriki Hoffman
If I Should Fall Behind – Douglas Smith
POEMS
Expedition – Alexandra Elizabeth Honigsberg
Shapeshifter – Alexandra Elizabeth Honigsberg
Crossing The Universe – Vanessa Taal
DEPARTMENTS
Editorial: Carrying Home – Sheree Renée Thomas
Coming Attractions –
Books To Look For – Charles De Lint
Films: Yes, All Men – Karin Lowachee
Science: Slipsticks In Science And Science Fiction – Jerry Oltion
Curiosities – Carol Cooper
CARTOONS
– Lynn Hsu
– S. Harris
– Mark Heath
– Arthur Masear
– Nick Downes
COVER
– Moon Patrol © By Marianne Plumridge
NOVELETS
Shining Shores – Max Firehammer
Bayanihan – Maricar Macario
Three Sisters Syzygy – Christopher Mark Rose
Upstairs – Tessa Yang
SHORT STORIES
Sort Code – Chris Barnham
What We Found In The Forest – Phoebe Wood
Mixtapes From Neptune – Karter Mycroft
To Pluck A Twisted String – Anne Leonard
My Embroidery Stitches Are Me – A Humphrey Lanham
Teatro Anatomico – Getty Hesse
Night Haul – Andrew Crowley
On The Matter Of Homo Sapiens – Kel Coleman
Sugar Steak – Jenny Kiefer
Growths – Nina Kiriki Hoffman
If I Should Fall Behind – Douglas Smith
POEMS
Expedition – Alexandra Elizabeth Honigsberg
Shapeshifter – Alexandra Elizabeth Honigsberg
Crossing The Universe – Vanessa Taal
DEPARTMENTS
Editorial: Carrying Home – Sheree Renée Thomas
Coming Attractions –
Books To Look For – Charles De Lint
Films: Yes, All Men – Karin Lowachee
Science: Slipsticks In Science And Science Fiction – Jerry Oltion
Curiosities – Carol Cooper
CARTOONS
– Lynn Hsu
– S. Harris
– Mark Heath
– Arthur Masear
– Nick Downes
COVER
– Moon Patrol © By Marianne Plumridge
- GenresShort Stories
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Sheree Renée Thomas
78 books241 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 29, 2023
Great issue - the highlights for me were the cover story Three Sisters Syzgy by Christopher Mark Rose and Bayanihan by Maricar Macario.
May 30, 2024
"Shining Shores" by Max Firehammer (novelette): This story shifted subgenres almost halfway through, and the transition wasn't super smooth, but I still had a good time. 3/5
"Bayanihan" by Maricar Macario (novelette): This was one of my favorite pieces in this whole book. The world-building is solid -- a lot of which involves differences humans being born in Mars and Earthers immigrating to this planet -- while also being a subtle analogy for immigration in our modern world. Along with the realism comparable to our world, the characters felt like real people, even the non-human ones. I was invested the entire time, thanks to good pacing and smooth writing, but the last few pages really sealed the deal with an incredibly emotional ending. 5/5
"Sort Code" by Chris Barnham (short story): This story kept me invested and flipping the pages. I mostly enjoyed the writing, even if the smaller moments were sometimes oddly paced. The main character felt a little bland compared to Juliet, who was extremely vivid and interesting, but both felt like real people and made decisions that made sense. 4/5
"What We Found in the Forest" by Phoebe Wood (short story): I really enjoyed this! The writing was unique and descriptive, adding to the atmosphere and setting without trying too hard. Even in just a few pages, the two main characters felt relatively distinct and vivid. I would definitely read more stories set in this world. 4.5/5
"Three Sisters Syzygy" by Christopher Mark Rose (novelette): As the longest story at over 50 pages long, it lost steam in the second half, but it was still unique and enjoyable. The three main characters are quite distinct from another, which made this story relatively fun. 3.5/5
"Mixtapes from Neptune" by Karter Mycroft (short story): The more I read, I got more into this story, as the first page or so did not hook me. Comprised of virtual letters addressed to an old flame, the narration was decently paced but often felt forced and unnatural, with the "As You Know" cliche even lamp-shaded in a very unsubtle way. But I do like the story and the world-building, so I would've really liked this in another style of presentation. 3/5
"To Pluck a Twisted String" by Anne Leonard (short story): I loved the world-building in this story! I wish this story had been longer, not necessarily to have more content, but to lengthen certain story beats (scenes with dialogue felt bizarrely rushed). Some of the writing worked really well, while other parts of it fell flat. Even so, I would definitely read more stories set in this world. 3.5/5
"My Embroidery Stitches Are Me" by A Humphrey Lanahan (short story): This started out interesting (great opening line), but it ran entirely on one thin metaphor and I lost interest, despite being only a few pages. The writing was pretty good, but poetic descriptions can only go so far. 2.5/5
"Upstairs" by Tessa Yang (novelette): This and "Bayanihan" were my favorite pieces in this book. Both feature speculative and dystopian elements set in the somewhat-near future, though the characters, tones, and plots differed greatly. Both have great writing that flows very well and characters that feel real, even in somewhat unfamiliar settings -- unfamiliar in details, but familiar in their commentary on real-world situations. "Bayanihan" had parallels to immigrating from 'doomed' places to developed places but still finding unique problems, while "Upstairs" has commentary on class -- both stories touched on fitting in new places. Anyway, all this to say: 5/5.
"Teatro Anatomical" by Getty Hesse (short story): The author conveyed a very strong, spooky atmosphere, but I still had a difficult time getting into the story and the characters. I imagine many readers will not have this same problem, though. 2/5
"Night Haul" by Andrew Crowley (short story): Not my type of story. I was not a fan of the writing or the dialogue, both of which felt forced and unnatural, like the author was trying too hard for a specific vibe even they fully didn't have nailed down in their mind. I already can't remember much of the characters of the plot. 1.5/5
"On the Matter of Homo Sapiens" by Kel Coleman (short story): I'm not great with technology, but I still struggled to understand what was happening. I believe this may had to do with clunky writing that made the scene difficult to follow. 1.5/5.
"Sugar Steak" by Jennier Kiefer: Some of the writing didn't work for me, but I enjoyed the story. This author wrote conflict really well, especially as the protagonist had conflict with pretty much every character, including herself. 3/5.
"Growths" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman: I enjoyed this story. I think it was the perfect length for what it was, even if it wasn't the most memorable apart from a few details. 3/5
"If I Should Fall Behind" by Douglas Smith (short story): This and "On the Matter of Homo Sapiens" were by far my least favorite entry in this entire novel. I hated the writing, which felt so bland that I had difficulty focusing and engaging. The plot points and characters fell flat because they somehow all reminded me of other words that had used these tropes and cliches better. I understand this author is a bigger name than most others in this book, which is why his short story is the last (apart from a poem), but I really wish I had read this story somewhere in the middle to not end with a sour taste in my mouth. 1/5
I also enjoyed all three poems, "Expedition" and "Shapeshifter" by Alexandra Elizabeth Honigsberg and "Crossing the Universe" by Vanessa Taal.
"Bayanihan" by Maricar Macario (novelette): This was one of my favorite pieces in this whole book. The world-building is solid -- a lot of which involves differences humans being born in Mars and Earthers immigrating to this planet -- while also being a subtle analogy for immigration in our modern world. Along with the realism comparable to our world, the characters felt like real people, even the non-human ones. I was invested the entire time, thanks to good pacing and smooth writing, but the last few pages really sealed the deal with an incredibly emotional ending. 5/5
"Sort Code" by Chris Barnham (short story): This story kept me invested and flipping the pages. I mostly enjoyed the writing, even if the smaller moments were sometimes oddly paced. The main character felt a little bland compared to Juliet, who was extremely vivid and interesting, but both felt like real people and made decisions that made sense. 4/5
"What We Found in the Forest" by Phoebe Wood (short story): I really enjoyed this! The writing was unique and descriptive, adding to the atmosphere and setting without trying too hard. Even in just a few pages, the two main characters felt relatively distinct and vivid. I would definitely read more stories set in this world. 4.5/5
"Three Sisters Syzygy" by Christopher Mark Rose (novelette): As the longest story at over 50 pages long, it lost steam in the second half, but it was still unique and enjoyable. The three main characters are quite distinct from another, which made this story relatively fun. 3.5/5
"Mixtapes from Neptune" by Karter Mycroft (short story): The more I read, I got more into this story, as the first page or so did not hook me. Comprised of virtual letters addressed to an old flame, the narration was decently paced but often felt forced and unnatural, with the "As You Know" cliche even lamp-shaded in a very unsubtle way. But I do like the story and the world-building, so I would've really liked this in another style of presentation. 3/5
"To Pluck a Twisted String" by Anne Leonard (short story): I loved the world-building in this story! I wish this story had been longer, not necessarily to have more content, but to lengthen certain story beats (scenes with dialogue felt bizarrely rushed). Some of the writing worked really well, while other parts of it fell flat. Even so, I would definitely read more stories set in this world. 3.5/5
"My Embroidery Stitches Are Me" by A Humphrey Lanahan (short story): This started out interesting (great opening line), but it ran entirely on one thin metaphor and I lost interest, despite being only a few pages. The writing was pretty good, but poetic descriptions can only go so far. 2.5/5
"Upstairs" by Tessa Yang (novelette): This and "Bayanihan" were my favorite pieces in this book. Both feature speculative and dystopian elements set in the somewhat-near future, though the characters, tones, and plots differed greatly. Both have great writing that flows very well and characters that feel real, even in somewhat unfamiliar settings -- unfamiliar in details, but familiar in their commentary on real-world situations. "Bayanihan" had parallels to immigrating from 'doomed' places to developed places but still finding unique problems, while "Upstairs" has commentary on class -- both stories touched on fitting in new places. Anyway, all this to say: 5/5.
"Teatro Anatomical" by Getty Hesse (short story): The author conveyed a very strong, spooky atmosphere, but I still had a difficult time getting into the story and the characters. I imagine many readers will not have this same problem, though. 2/5
"Night Haul" by Andrew Crowley (short story): Not my type of story. I was not a fan of the writing or the dialogue, both of which felt forced and unnatural, like the author was trying too hard for a specific vibe even they fully didn't have nailed down in their mind. I already can't remember much of the characters of the plot. 1.5/5
"On the Matter of Homo Sapiens" by Kel Coleman (short story): I'm not great with technology, but I still struggled to understand what was happening. I believe this may had to do with clunky writing that made the scene difficult to follow. 1.5/5.
"Sugar Steak" by Jennier Kiefer: Some of the writing didn't work for me, but I enjoyed the story. This author wrote conflict really well, especially as the protagonist had conflict with pretty much every character, including herself. 3/5.
"Growths" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman: I enjoyed this story. I think it was the perfect length for what it was, even if it wasn't the most memorable apart from a few details. 3/5
"If I Should Fall Behind" by Douglas Smith (short story): This and "On the Matter of Homo Sapiens" were by far my least favorite entry in this entire novel. I hated the writing, which felt so bland that I had difficulty focusing and engaging. The plot points and characters fell flat because they somehow all reminded me of other words that had used these tropes and cliches better. I understand this author is a bigger name than most others in this book, which is why his short story is the last (apart from a poem), but I really wish I had read this story somewhere in the middle to not end with a sour taste in my mouth. 1/5
I also enjoyed all three poems, "Expedition" and "Shapeshifter" by Alexandra Elizabeth Honigsberg and "Crossing the Universe" by Vanessa Taal.
January 29, 2024
My favorite stories:
Shining Shore by Max Firehammer
Don’t let the happy title fool you; this seaside village isn’t as quiet as it seems. An unsettling body-horror tale that will leave you squirming.
Bayanihan by Maricar Macario
You can go home again, but everything has changed. Good thing grandmas are the same every where and when. An immigrant song for everyone.
Three Sisters Syzygy by Christopher Mark Rose
Syzygy:
- yoked together (Greek)
- three celestial bodies in a line (astronomy)
- union of opposites (Carl Jung)
This story: all of the above
Upstairs by Tessa Yang
Movin’ on up to the ultimate gated community comes with very mixed feelings and changes in the family dynamics. Can Sadie cope?
Sort Code by Chris Barnham
A graceful pas de deus back and forth through the corridors of time looking for an elusive something.
What We Found In The Forest by Phoebe Wood
During a rite of passage, you don’t need the passage nor the rite; you just need to discover something that had been inside you all along. A prose poem.
Mixtapes From Neptune by Karter Mycroft
Music is one of the most potent evokers of memory…even in the depths of a gas giant.
Strangely, I read this between sets at a music festival with mixtape bumper music playing. Memories…
To Pluck a Twisted String by Anne Leonard
Art speaks truth to power, which is why they seek to control and destroy. But art has many ways of speaking and cannot be denied.
My Embroidery Stitches Are Me by A Humphrey Lanham
Some mental and physical scars are so deep and intense they become simultaneously real and metaphorical.
Teatro Anatomico by Getty Hesse
The student delivers an anatomical lesson to her professor. Is the professor capable of learning?
Night Haul by Andrew Crowley
Dangerous cargo, but there is no safe route detour for this trucker. Dread and terror on the long haul road.
On the Matter of Homo Sapiens by Kel Coleman
Three robots on a geocache scavenger hunt left by extinct humans discuss the ethics of bringing back homo sapiens. Would make for a good episode of Love, Death and Robots.
Sugar Steak by Jenny Kiefer
Flossing won’t help much after a meal of sugar steak.
Pairs well with Shinya Tsukamoto’s 1989 body-horror film “Tetsuo: The Iron Man.”
Growths by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
The ethical dilemma of whether to change something in your child that might make their life easier, but fundamentally alter who they are. This very short story kept me thinking for some days after reading.
If I Should Fall Behind by Douglas Smith
The Trolley Problem becomes even more problematic when it is the whole universe on the track and the love of your life on the siding, but our hero finds a rather unique solution.
Shining Shore by Max Firehammer
Don’t let the happy title fool you; this seaside village isn’t as quiet as it seems. An unsettling body-horror tale that will leave you squirming.
Bayanihan by Maricar Macario
You can go home again, but everything has changed. Good thing grandmas are the same every where and when. An immigrant song for everyone.
Three Sisters Syzygy by Christopher Mark Rose
Syzygy:
- yoked together (Greek)
- three celestial bodies in a line (astronomy)
- union of opposites (Carl Jung)
This story: all of the above
Upstairs by Tessa Yang
Movin’ on up to the ultimate gated community comes with very mixed feelings and changes in the family dynamics. Can Sadie cope?
Sort Code by Chris Barnham
A graceful pas de deus back and forth through the corridors of time looking for an elusive something.
What We Found In The Forest by Phoebe Wood
During a rite of passage, you don’t need the passage nor the rite; you just need to discover something that had been inside you all along. A prose poem.
Mixtapes From Neptune by Karter Mycroft
Music is one of the most potent evokers of memory…even in the depths of a gas giant.
Strangely, I read this between sets at a music festival with mixtape bumper music playing. Memories…
To Pluck a Twisted String by Anne Leonard
Art speaks truth to power, which is why they seek to control and destroy. But art has many ways of speaking and cannot be denied.
My Embroidery Stitches Are Me by A Humphrey Lanham
Some mental and physical scars are so deep and intense they become simultaneously real and metaphorical.
Teatro Anatomico by Getty Hesse
The student delivers an anatomical lesson to her professor. Is the professor capable of learning?
Night Haul by Andrew Crowley
Dangerous cargo, but there is no safe route detour for this trucker. Dread and terror on the long haul road.
On the Matter of Homo Sapiens by Kel Coleman
Three robots on a geocache scavenger hunt left by extinct humans discuss the ethics of bringing back homo sapiens. Would make for a good episode of Love, Death and Robots.
Sugar Steak by Jenny Kiefer
Flossing won’t help much after a meal of sugar steak.
Pairs well with Shinya Tsukamoto’s 1989 body-horror film “Tetsuo: The Iron Man.”
Growths by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
The ethical dilemma of whether to change something in your child that might make their life easier, but fundamentally alter who they are. This very short story kept me thinking for some days after reading.
If I Should Fall Behind by Douglas Smith
The Trolley Problem becomes even more problematic when it is the whole universe on the track and the love of your life on the siding, but our hero finds a rather unique solution.
September 15, 2025
"Shining Shores" by Max Firehammer (5 stars): Very creepy story about strange events in a remote coastal town.
"Sort Code" by Chris Barnham (5 stars): Strange mystery of dislocation in space and time.
"Sugar Steak" by Jennier Kiefer (5 stars): Weird body horror story I did not understand but was very freaky.
"Bayanihan" by Maricar Macario (4 stars)
"What We Found in the Forest" by Phoebe Wood (2½ stars)
"Three Sisters Syzygy" by Christopher Mark Rose (4 stars)
"Mixtapes from Neptune" by Karter Mycroft (2 stars)
"To Pluck a Twisted String" by Anne Leonard (4 stars)
"My Embroidery Stitches Are Me" by A Humphrey Lanahan (3 stars)
"Upstairs" by Tessa Yang (3½/4 stars)
"Teatro Anatomical" by Getty Hesse (3 stars)
"Night Haul" by Andrew Crowley (4 stars)
"On the Matter of Homo Sapiens" by Kel Coleman (4 stars)
"Growths" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (3 stars)
"If I Should Fall Behind" by Douglas Smith (4 stars)
"Sort Code" by Chris Barnham (5 stars): Strange mystery of dislocation in space and time.
"Sugar Steak" by Jennier Kiefer (5 stars): Weird body horror story I did not understand but was very freaky.
"Bayanihan" by Maricar Macario (4 stars)
"What We Found in the Forest" by Phoebe Wood (2½ stars)
"Three Sisters Syzygy" by Christopher Mark Rose (4 stars)
"Mixtapes from Neptune" by Karter Mycroft (2 stars)
"To Pluck a Twisted String" by Anne Leonard (4 stars)
"My Embroidery Stitches Are Me" by A Humphrey Lanahan (3 stars)
"Upstairs" by Tessa Yang (3½/4 stars)
"Teatro Anatomical" by Getty Hesse (3 stars)
"Night Haul" by Andrew Crowley (4 stars)
"On the Matter of Homo Sapiens" by Kel Coleman (4 stars)
"Growths" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (3 stars)
"If I Should Fall Behind" by Douglas Smith (4 stars)
November 7, 2023
Really strong issue. So many of the stories are sticking with me.
December 11, 2023
A great mix - some really good! (I liked the sisters syzygy) good enough I’ve subscribed!
January 30, 2024
Pretty good, enjoyed “Bayanihan,” “To Pluck a Twisted String,” “Night Haul,” and “On the Matter of Homo Sapiens”
January 14, 2026
Good edition! I really enjoyed the last 100 pages in particular, I feel like this particular volume was saving the best for last.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews