Review and rating is solely for Patrick Hurley's short story “Terms of Enlightenment". Which I read after seeing the story recommended by a Locus reviewer. It's a winner, about Jay, who was sentence to VSIM rehabilitation by his judge-counselor. Clever and fun: a 4+ star read for me. A new-to-me writer, and I'll be looking for more of his stuff. Recommended reading.
The abbot noted that “You’re one of the few gray areas in the justice system: an unrepentant, nonviolent, layabout.”
A middling issue, with a pretty wide spread in terms of enjoyment for me.
My top pick is Espie Droger Dreams of War. Second best was probably Lotus Dew for the Emperor’s Tea, though I found the ending not so satisfying and the plot didn't really go anywhere, the setting and tale being told drew me in.