Lightspeed Magazine, January 2014

by John Joseph Adams (Editor), Jeremiah Tolbert (Contributor), Terry Bisson (Contributor)

Lightspeed Magazine, January 2014 #44
Edited by John Joseph Adams
Cover Art (and Artist Spotlight) M. Rickert


Novella (eBook exclusive)
"The Chambered Fruit" by M. Rickert (reprint)

Short Stories - Science Fiction
"In the Dying Light, We Saw a Shape" by Jeremiah Tolbert
"Bears Discover Fire" by Terry Bisson (reprint)
"Salamander Patterns" by Anaea Lay
"Exuviation" by Zhao Haihong (reprint)

Short Stories - Fantasy
"Apotheosis" by Rosamund Hodge (reprint)
"His Elbow, Unkissed: A Kaslo Chronicles Tale" by Matthew Hughes
"Elementals" by Ursula K. Le Guin (reprint)
"The Thing About Shapes To Come" by Adam-Troy Castro

Novel Excerpts (eBook exclusives)
"The Cormorant" by Chuck Wendig
"A Darkling Sea" by James L. Cambias
"Clockwork Heart" by Dru Pagliassotti

Extra
Guest Editorial: "Women Destroy Science Fiction!" by Christie Yant
Video Games panel (from Geeks Guide to the Galaxy podcast)

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Anthologies, Short Stories

407 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

John Joseph Adams is the series editor of BEST AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY. He is also the bestselling editor of many other anthologies, such as ROBOT UPRISINGS, DEAD MAN'S HAND, BRAVE NEW WORLDS,WASTELANDS, and THE LIVING DEAD. Recent and forthcoming books include WHAT THE #@&% IS THAT?, OPERATION ARCANA, PRESS START TO PLAY, LOOSED UPON THE WORLD, and THE APOCALYPSE TRIPTYCH (consisting of THE END IS NIGH, THE END IS NOW, and THE END HAS COME). Called “the reigning king of the anthology world” by Barnes & Noble, John is a two-time winner of the Hugo Award (for which he has been nominated nine times), is a seven-time World Fantasy Award finalist, and served as a judge for the 2015 National Book Award. John is also the editor and publisher of the digital magazines LIGHTSPEED and NIGHTMARE, and is a producer for Wired's THE GEEK'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY podcast. You can find him online at www.johnjosephadams.com and on Twitter @JohnJosephAdams.

Reviews

[Nancy O'Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The January issue of Lightspeed once again collects four fantasy short storeis, four sci-fi stories, and an ebook exclusive novella. I found that I enjoyed all of the stories, save for one (sorry, but the Kaslo Chronicles just don't do much for me. It certainly doesn't help that I've been reading them out of order). One thing I thought this issue did very well, was take some truly bizarre ideas and make really compelling stories out of them. My favorites were:

"In the Dying Light, We Saw a Shape" by Jeremiah Tolbert- Space whales come to earth! Really unique ideas here, with some genuine surprises in the plot.

"Bears Discover Fire" by Terry Bisson- Sentient Bears discover fire! I told you this one had some bizarre concepts. But thanks to the compelling narrator and role of family, it ended up being my favorite sci-fi short story.

"The Thing About Shapes To Come" by Adam-Troy Castro- Women give birth to shapes instead of babies! Castro's explores this concept in a truly fascinating way. As someone who is preparing to having children within the next couple of years, the themes here hit home.

"The Chambered Fruit" by M. Rickert- The collection ends with a more grounded novella about a woman mourning the loss of her daughter. I've met a few women like Chloe (the hippie/artist type) so it was easy for me to feel for her, and I thought the ghost elements were handled in a satisfying, if somewhat atypical way.

A satisfying issue of Lightspeed. I also found the artist gallery (which featured work by the cover artist) to be quite nice this time around.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only the second 'proper' issue of Lightspeed Magazine that I have read and I am excited about finding it. Having an issue of this seems a lot like having an extra issue of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction each month, and given the editor of this that is not too surprising. For a couple years I had read new short stories online in Fantasy magazine, which at some point became defunct and merged into Lightspeed Magazine to encompass both Fantasy and SF genres. As I caught up to date on those, and got an actual eReader I decided to give the full magazine a try (Many of the stories are available online for free).

Between this and the prior issue I am impressed with Adam's selections and enjoy the mixture of new stories and reissued 'classics'. Being relatively new to the field these classics are new discoveries for me as well. Lightspeed is unique in also featuring good selections of nonfiction pieces as well, something I had previously only seen in the also defunct print magazine "Realms of Fantasy' or in the often over-specialized and technical form that Analog presents.

Most all of the stories in this issue impressed me and provided something to appreciate although I did not read any of the novel excerpts (I have no appreciation for this as a concept at all.) Matthew Hughes story was the only exception, never grabbing interest, which is a rarity for my reaction to his stories. "Bears Discover Fire", "The Thing About Shapes to Come", "Salamander Patterns", and "Elementals" stood out as exceptional, particularly the latter by Ursula LeGuin, whose stories are just awe inspiring beauty made text.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid issue, though nothing totally bowled me over.
Original SF:
"In the Dying Light, We Saw a Shape" by Jeremiah Tolbert - good near-future alien contact story, featuring space whales (!).
"Salamander Patterns" by Anaea Lay - another good near-future alien contact story, though totally different. Physically melding with alien "salamanders," very cool idea. This was my fave of the issue.
Original Fantasy:
"His Elbow, Unkissed: A Kaslo Chronicles Tale" by Matthew Hughes - NOW I get what this series is about. A rational universe about to change into a magical one. I love this idea, very original. I've only read one other of the Kaslo stories; I think I need some gaps filled in, though.
"The Thing About Shapes to Come" by Adam-Troy Castro - very sad and poignant tale of a young girl who gives birth to a daughter who's only a cube (most babies at the time are born in these weird shapes). She desperately tries to connect with her inert child.
Non-fiction:
Great interviews from Allie Brosh, creator of Hyperbole and a Half (I know I've seen her stuff online before), and writer Scott Lynch (he's already on my to-read list) and the usual author spotlights.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Rosamund Hodges 'Apotheosis', I loved her take on Gods and Godesses and the world she created was as usual, completely gripping and fantastical to me. The story makes the reader think and ask questions about What we really want from God? And What does God want from us?

[jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

short story: apotheosis by rosamund hodge

[Asya]

Read only 'Apotheosis' by Rosamund Hodge.
I wish Hodge had written 365 short stories, so I could read one every day for a year.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well put together issue of stories.

[Lauredhel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the Rickert, the Bisson, and the LeGuin.