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Uncanny Magazine #63
Uncanny Magazine Issue 63: March/April 2025
The March/April 2025 issue of Hugo Award-winning Uncanny Magazine.
eaturing new fiction by Samantha Mills, G. Willow Wilson, Wen-yi Lee, Charlie Jane Anders, Eugenia Triantafyllou, Stephanie Malia Morris, Kirsty Logan and J.L. Akagi. Essays by John Wiswell, Angela Liu, Amanda-Rae Prescott, and J.R. Dawson, poetry by Rafiat Lamidi, Ai Jiang, Abdulrazaq Salihu, and Lesley Hart Gunn, interviews with Wen-yi Lee and Eugenia Triantafyllou by Caroline M. Yoachim, a cover by Galen Dara, and an editorial by Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas.
Uncanny Magazine is a bimonthly science fiction and fantasy magazine first published in November 2014. Edited by 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 Hugo award winners for best semiprozine, and 2018 Hugo award winners for Best Editor, Short Form, Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas, Betsy Aoki, and Monte Lin, each issue of Uncanny includes new stories, poetry, articles, and interviews.
eaturing new fiction by Samantha Mills, G. Willow Wilson, Wen-yi Lee, Charlie Jane Anders, Eugenia Triantafyllou, Stephanie Malia Morris, Kirsty Logan and J.L. Akagi. Essays by John Wiswell, Angela Liu, Amanda-Rae Prescott, and J.R. Dawson, poetry by Rafiat Lamidi, Ai Jiang, Abdulrazaq Salihu, and Lesley Hart Gunn, interviews with Wen-yi Lee and Eugenia Triantafyllou by Caroline M. Yoachim, a cover by Galen Dara, and an editorial by Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas.
Uncanny Magazine is a bimonthly science fiction and fantasy magazine first published in November 2014. Edited by 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 Hugo award winners for best semiprozine, and 2018 Hugo award winners for Best Editor, Short Form, Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas, Betsy Aoki, and Monte Lin, each issue of Uncanny includes new stories, poetry, articles, and interviews.
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Published March 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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October 6, 2025the bud of a dead dream by Ai Jiang
4/5 stars
This poem is giving "eldest Asian daughter gives up her hopes and dreams to take on her family's responsibilities" and I'm here for it.
Ai is one of my fave authors I randomly discovered thanks to bookstagram. I haven't read her SFF poetry yet. Happy to say that this poem slaps.
Red, Scuttle When the Ships Come Down by Wen-Yi Lee
4.25/5 stars
While When They Burned the Butterfly didn't hit as hard as The Name Ziya and The Dark We Know, I still love Wen-Yi Lee's prose, so I went on a deep dive with her shorter works.
I honestly thought this short story took place in an alternate sci-fi future, but it's actually historical fantasy. Either way, both settings work.
Look, I'm a sucker for any story about power inequality, wealth inequity, etc. This turned out to be about exiled prisoners mining magic rocks on a prison island. While the backbones of the story was pretty predictable, I still loved the author's twist on it, using her family history and Chinese culture to tell a dark and engrossing tale.
I liked this quote from the magazine's interview with the author.
4/5 stars
This poem is giving "eldest Asian daughter gives up her hopes and dreams to take on her family's responsibilities" and I'm here for it.
Ai is one of my fave authors I randomly discovered thanks to bookstagram. I haven't read her SFF poetry yet. Happy to say that this poem slaps.
you cannot protect your family with dreams.
you cannot protect yourself with dreams
when reality is ready with shackles
Red, Scuttle When the Ships Come Down by Wen-Yi Lee
4.25/5 stars
While When They Burned the Butterfly didn't hit as hard as The Name Ziya and The Dark We Know, I still love Wen-Yi Lee's prose, so I went on a deep dive with her shorter works.
I honestly thought this short story took place in an alternate sci-fi future, but it's actually historical fantasy. Either way, both settings work.
Look, I'm a sucker for any story about power inequality, wealth inequity, etc. This turned out to be about exiled prisoners mining magic rocks on a prison island. While the backbones of the story was pretty predictable, I still loved the author's twist on it, using her family history and Chinese culture to tell a dark and engrossing tale.
I liked this quote from the magazine's interview with the author.
"Magical realism as a genre is so rooted in colonial or political disruption—in South America but also other places—and the landscape itself feeling mutable and precarious and strange."
May 16, 2025
10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days
I hear you, Samantha Mills. I hear you. I remember that evening, I turned my computer off and stopped following the news. Numbed yet again. Disgusted yet again. The morning after, I felt dejected, as expected. The second morning after, I was expecting to feel a little better. I strung my leather bag over my shoulder and readied to head to work, only to pause in the middle of my bedroom. It was quiet; an unexpected tear flowed down my cheek. Bag on shoulder, standing straight up, staring forward. I hit unpause, then headed to work. I will never forget that moment in the middle of the bedroom. I hear you, Samantha Mills.
Rating: 4/5
The Island with the Animals
An oddly surreal game is presented in this story that mirrors the surrealism most of us likely experienced during the pandemic lockdown era. Perhaps it's too soon to have a story that compels us to reflect on our pandemic experiences. The details in the story -Duolingo, the strict separation of outside and inside, the new realities of small shared spaces with people we didn't expect to see so frequently, and the attempts to connect and disconnect from other human beings- all felt too real. As an infectious disease researcher, I had front-row seats in a way that undoubtedly skewed my experience compared to many others. Scripps researchers recently published a study that shows H5N1 may be one mutation away from host receptor switching from animals to humans, leading to further dangerous adaptation to humans, like increased human-to-human transmission. Allowing the virus to ravage animal populations results in uncontrolled viral evolution, increasing the probability of evolving harmful mutations. Humans could take scientifically sound measures to curtail this, yet here we are, with the weakest minds and hearts in charge of the US government. Consequently, we are now left flirting with another pandemic, potentially one with a much higher case fatality rate. This lack of foresight is reckless and tells me humans have not earned their place in this universe.
Rating: 3/5
Time loop for the day I die
This poem explores elements of violence and tragedy through the lens of real-world events in Sarkin Pawa. I particularly liked the ending that suggests personal transformation: "soft as a yawn and
I opened magnificent as light."
Breakout, Ripoff, Genre: How Fiction Outgrows Originality
This short non-fiction piece touches on something I think about often: how many things are truly original? I like that the author reframes the perspective away from originality.
I often think about originality when I ponder research ideas. Though it is common for journalists and researchers alike to claim an idea as theirs, one can often trace that idea and see it in historical context to understand how the idea was derived and constructed from the meaningful substance of at least one other idea. Seldom have I observed a research idea that I cannot place in this context. I easily see borrowed ideas in the realm of programming languages. Each new language wants to tread original territory, but few language constructs are truly new. In the works of fiction that we all love, I have been surprised when I read much older works from decades ago, and see in these stories elements that modern derivations have made popular. Then I have to wonder about the provenance of even older ideas that inspired these old ideas. So how do you, dear reader, value originality?
Butterfly Pavilion
The narrator and the rest of the survivors in her group find temporary sanctuary in a butterfly pavilion. Their lives parallel the strange and wondrous evolution of butterflies. The humans realize that the pavilion is a metaphorical chrysalis (the third stage of a butterfly's lifecycle) and thus a temporary home they must leave in order to find better resources. G. Willow Wilson writes in a casual manner, though there is much bleakness in the substance. Even the tinge of hope at the end is weighed down by the inevitability of this world's demise. A tough read given the reality we live in.
Rating: 2/5
Infinite Halves
This is a curious story! :) Love it. J.L. Akagi weaves a fun allegory about Zeno's dichotomy paradox, whereby infinite halves can be had in both space and time. The modern resolution to this paradox is to recognize that despite the infinite steps, the total distance remains finite, and crucially, that our motions are not half-motions but full motions. Akagi illustrates this concept with a beer in the story. All of which relates back to what is implied: for Sam (and perhaps Akagi as well) to escape his deepest fear, he just needs to live his life in one full motion (though he ages very slowly) and stop killing himself. It'll be a long life indeed. Better make it a good one!
Rating: 5/5
I hear you, Samantha Mills. I hear you. I remember that evening, I turned my computer off and stopped following the news. Numbed yet again. Disgusted yet again. The morning after, I felt dejected, as expected. The second morning after, I was expecting to feel a little better. I strung my leather bag over my shoulder and readied to head to work, only to pause in the middle of my bedroom. It was quiet; an unexpected tear flowed down my cheek. Bag on shoulder, standing straight up, staring forward. I hit unpause, then headed to work. I will never forget that moment in the middle of the bedroom. I hear you, Samantha Mills.
Rating: 4/5
The Island with the Animals
An oddly surreal game is presented in this story that mirrors the surrealism most of us likely experienced during the pandemic lockdown era. Perhaps it's too soon to have a story that compels us to reflect on our pandemic experiences. The details in the story -Duolingo, the strict separation of outside and inside, the new realities of small shared spaces with people we didn't expect to see so frequently, and the attempts to connect and disconnect from other human beings- all felt too real. As an infectious disease researcher, I had front-row seats in a way that undoubtedly skewed my experience compared to many others. Scripps researchers recently published a study that shows H5N1 may be one mutation away from host receptor switching from animals to humans, leading to further dangerous adaptation to humans, like increased human-to-human transmission. Allowing the virus to ravage animal populations results in uncontrolled viral evolution, increasing the probability of evolving harmful mutations. Humans could take scientifically sound measures to curtail this, yet here we are, with the weakest minds and hearts in charge of the US government. Consequently, we are now left flirting with another pandemic, potentially one with a much higher case fatality rate. This lack of foresight is reckless and tells me humans have not earned their place in this universe.
Rating: 3/5
Time loop for the day I die
This poem explores elements of violence and tragedy through the lens of real-world events in Sarkin Pawa. I particularly liked the ending that suggests personal transformation: "soft as a yawn and
I opened magnificent as light."
Breakout, Ripoff, Genre: How Fiction Outgrows Originality
This short non-fiction piece touches on something I think about often: how many things are truly original? I like that the author reframes the perspective away from originality.
When you grow up, you realize art is more about conversation than originality.
One remedy is to recontextualize novelty. Novelty is great! Who doesn’t like seeing something they’ve never seen before? But novelty is just one of many factors we can enjoy in a work of fiction.
I often think about originality when I ponder research ideas. Though it is common for journalists and researchers alike to claim an idea as theirs, one can often trace that idea and see it in historical context to understand how the idea was derived and constructed from the meaningful substance of at least one other idea. Seldom have I observed a research idea that I cannot place in this context. I easily see borrowed ideas in the realm of programming languages. Each new language wants to tread original territory, but few language constructs are truly new. In the works of fiction that we all love, I have been surprised when I read much older works from decades ago, and see in these stories elements that modern derivations have made popular. Then I have to wonder about the provenance of even older ideas that inspired these old ideas. So how do you, dear reader, value originality?
Butterfly Pavilion
The narrator and the rest of the survivors in her group find temporary sanctuary in a butterfly pavilion. Their lives parallel the strange and wondrous evolution of butterflies. The humans realize that the pavilion is a metaphorical chrysalis (the third stage of a butterfly's lifecycle) and thus a temporary home they must leave in order to find better resources. G. Willow Wilson writes in a casual manner, though there is much bleakness in the substance. Even the tinge of hope at the end is weighed down by the inevitability of this world's demise. A tough read given the reality we live in.
Rating: 2/5
Infinite Halves
This is a curious story! :) Love it. J.L. Akagi weaves a fun allegory about Zeno's dichotomy paradox, whereby infinite halves can be had in both space and time. The modern resolution to this paradox is to recognize that despite the infinite steps, the total distance remains finite, and crucially, that our motions are not half-motions but full motions. Akagi illustrates this concept with a beer in the story. All of which relates back to what is implied: for Sam (and perhaps Akagi as well) to escape his deepest fear, he just needs to live his life in one full motion (though he ages very slowly) and stop killing himself. It'll be a long life indeed. Better make it a good one!
Rating: 5/5
April 27, 2025
This issue had a lot of great short stories. Favorites of mine were:
-"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days" by Samantha Mills
-"Butterfly Pavilion" by G. Willow Wilson
-"Red, Scuttle When the Ships Come Down" by Wen-yi Lee
-"The Prodigal Mother" (excerpt from Lessons in Magic and Disaster) by Charlie Jane Anders
-"Infinite Halves" by J.L. Akagi
-"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days" by Samantha Mills
-"Butterfly Pavilion" by G. Willow Wilson
-"Red, Scuttle When the Ships Come Down" by Wen-yi Lee
-"The Prodigal Mother" (excerpt from Lessons in Magic and Disaster) by Charlie Jane Anders
-"Infinite Halves" by J.L. Akagi
March 22, 2025
Goodreads keeps collapsing multiple short stories into the magazine they first appear in. So I'll just merge the various reviews together here.
• This review is for 10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days by Samantha Mills.
I have previously read and deeply loved another story by this same author (Rabbit Test) and I was quite excited to read something else by the same author. I was not disappointed.
The story was written shortly after the USA 2024 Presidential election as the author is trying to come to term with the results while also trying to not give up to despair. It's a very interestingly written story, deeply powerful and, at the end, despite the topics (10 very tragic futures), is also full of hope. I am looking forward to read more by this author. (★★★★★)
• This review is for Butterfly Pavilion by G. Willow Wilson.
I had read some comics by this author (they were quite good!), but never some of her non graphic fiction. I liked it, but I am left wanting for more. The story is too short, I think it could be extended into a longer story. I will definitely read more by this author in the future. (★★★)
Overall:
• This review is for 10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days by Samantha Mills.
I have previously read and deeply loved another story by this same author (Rabbit Test) and I was quite excited to read something else by the same author. I was not disappointed.
The story was written shortly after the USA 2024 Presidential election as the author is trying to come to term with the results while also trying to not give up to despair. It's a very interestingly written story, deeply powerful and, at the end, despite the topics (10 very tragic futures), is also full of hope. I am looking forward to read more by this author. (★★★★★)
• This review is for Butterfly Pavilion by G. Willow Wilson.
I had read some comics by this author (they were quite good!), but never some of her non graphic fiction. I liked it, but I am left wanting for more. The story is too short, I think it could be extended into a longer story. I will definitely read more by this author in the future. (★★★)
Overall:
September 28, 2025
10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days by Samantha Mills
I like that there are 10 ways in which the world ends and the most terrifying is when nothing happens. 4 ⭐
Butterfly Pavilion by G. Willow Wilson
Feeling one-shot because there are no explanation why they took refuge in the pavilion but ok. 2 ⭐
Red, Scuttle When the Ships Come Down by Wen-yi Lee
Powerful nation oppressed the less powerful to mine some dangerously substance, then they revolt. 2 ⭐
Infinite Halves by J.L. Akagi
No. 1 ⭐
The Prodigal Mother (excerpt from Lessons in Magic and Disaster) by Charlie Jane Anders
Oh I've got the novel so I'll read the novel instead!
The Life and Times of Alavira the Great as Written by Titos Pavlou and Reviewed by Two Lifelong Friends by Eugenia Triantafyllou
LOL hilarious format. So, like reading the takes on Malazan by Amanda and Bill, this story discusses a story within. Cute and I love something meta like this. 5 ⭐
The Island with the Animals by Stephanie Malia Morris
Cheerful video game but it turns out violent. Also, finding something to do during lockdown is so all of us. 3 ⭐
Unbury by Kirsty Logan
Love! It covers a lot in such a short time. The woman is unburied by a man, and then abused, and she literally eats them. Casual grittiness is my kind of breakfast. 5 ⭐
I like that there are 10 ways in which the world ends and the most terrifying is when nothing happens. 4 ⭐
Butterfly Pavilion by G. Willow Wilson
Feeling one-shot because there are no explanation why they took refuge in the pavilion but ok. 2 ⭐
Red, Scuttle When the Ships Come Down by Wen-yi Lee
Powerful nation oppressed the less powerful to mine some dangerously substance, then they revolt. 2 ⭐
Infinite Halves by J.L. Akagi
No. 1 ⭐
The Prodigal Mother (excerpt from Lessons in Magic and Disaster) by Charlie Jane Anders
Oh I've got the novel so I'll read the novel instead!
The Life and Times of Alavira the Great as Written by Titos Pavlou and Reviewed by Two Lifelong Friends by Eugenia Triantafyllou
LOL hilarious format. So, like reading the takes on Malazan by Amanda and Bill, this story discusses a story within. Cute and I love something meta like this. 5 ⭐
The Island with the Animals by Stephanie Malia Morris
Cheerful video game but it turns out violent. Also, finding something to do during lockdown is so all of us. 3 ⭐
Unbury by Kirsty Logan
Love! It covers a lot in such a short time. The woman is unburied by a man, and then abused, and she literally eats them. Casual grittiness is my kind of breakfast. 5 ⭐
March 2, 2025
I backed this on Kickstarter, so I received the issue in advance of publication as part of the campaign.
Good mix of stories, as usual. My favorites this issue were: “10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days” by Samantha Mills and “Butterfly Pavilion” by G. Willow Wilson.
I also enjoyed Charlie Jane Anders' "The Prodigal Mother (excerpt from Lessons in Magic and Disaster)" enough to go add Lessons to my never-ending TBR pile.
Good mix of stories, as usual. My favorites this issue were: “10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days” by Samantha Mills and “Butterfly Pavilion” by G. Willow Wilson.
I also enjoyed Charlie Jane Anders' "The Prodigal Mother (excerpt from Lessons in Magic and Disaster)" enough to go add Lessons to my never-ending TBR pile.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews