Reviews
Uncanny Magazine Issue 22: May/June 2018, by Michael Damian Thomas, Lynne M. Thomas, Michi Trota
gotoboston's review
4.0
So, I've never read a literary magazine before. The Read Harder challenge from Book Riot really is expanding my mediums. I'm usually a novel person. I rarely read anything under 100 pages. But, now I've read several short stories, listened to an audiobook, and read a few novellas too. This literary magazine was very interesting and I've definitely enjoyed reading.
Here's the breakdown of the content.
Short Stories:
Discard the Sun, for It Has Failed Us by Marina J. Lostetter - Very interesting concept. The writing was smooth and very philosophical. I really was touched by the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
Blessings by Naomi Novik - Short, interesting fairytale story. I've yet to read any of Naomi Novik's books, but I do own them. If they are as well written as this short story, then I'm certain I'll enjoy them. Still, this wasn't my favorite of the short stories. ★ ★ ★
Sucks (To Be You) by Katharine Duckett - I really liked this one. The musing on social media and consumption and attraction was really clever. This was one of my favorites. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Blue Lily's Wake by Aliette de Bodard - This one was one of the longest and most detailed. I'm not sure I understood it fully, but I found it interesting. Plus, the writing was good. ★ ★ ★
If We Died Unjustified by Merc Fenn Wolfmoore - Told from the perspective of a dog in the apocalypse. This was really dark and quirky. The children's rhyme that broke up the story was very creepy but this story was just really weird. Not sure I enjoyed it, but I appreciated it. ★ ★ ★
What Gentle Women Dare by Kelly Robson - Dark, but deep. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it wasn't written with dialogue that was very much specific to the period and time. That said, I enjoyed it. And it was probably important it was written that way since it plays into the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
The Cook by C.L. Clark - This one was short, sweet, and to the point. Not exactly memorable but written well. Plus, there was a gay romance. ★ ★ ★
Poetry:
Lorelei by Ali Trotti - Eh. Nothing against Trotti's writing. I thought the prose was decent. I just didn't get it. ★ ★
Persephone in Hades by Theodora Goss - Love Greek mythology, decent prose. I enjoyed this. ★ ★ ★
Okuri Inu, or the sending off demon by Betsy Aoki - Also love Japanese mythology. This was very cool. ★ ★ ★
What Grew by Sarah Gailey - Loved this! So quirky and weird. I haven't read Sarah Gailey's book yet, but I do own it. And after reading this, I think I'm very much looking forward to reading her book. And maybe getting everything she's ever written. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Essays:
At Face Value by Briana Lawrence - Important. I really needed to read this. ★ ★ ★ ★
Dislikes the Sea, but Will Venture Upon It If Necessary by Greg Pak - Really liked this. I really saw myself in the author. As a queer teenager, I remember all my own writings and roleplays and how I tried to create an inclusive space for myself. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Burlesque and the Lens of Rewriting by Elsa Sjunneson - This was a really interesting perspective. As someone who frequents fanfiction spaces, I understand Elsa's perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Defense of Escapism by Kelly McCullough - People use escapism as an insult? Who are these people? Cause I clearly need to avoid them. I support Kelly's defense of escapism. More than ever we need that escape. ★ ★ ★ ★
There was a few other things, but that's all the original content. Overall, I liked everything. And now I have a few more authors to check out.
Here's the breakdown of the content.
Short Stories:
Discard the Sun, for It Has Failed Us by Marina J. Lostetter - Very interesting concept. The writing was smooth and very philosophical. I really was touched by the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
Blessings by Naomi Novik - Short, interesting fairytale story. I've yet to read any of Naomi Novik's books, but I do own them. If they are as well written as this short story, then I'm certain I'll enjoy them. Still, this wasn't my favorite of the short stories. ★ ★ ★
Sucks (To Be You) by Katharine Duckett - I really liked this one. The musing on social media and consumption and attraction was really clever. This was one of my favorites. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Blue Lily's Wake by Aliette de Bodard - This one was one of the longest and most detailed. I'm not sure I understood it fully, but I found it interesting. Plus, the writing was good. ★ ★ ★
If We Died Unjustified by Merc Fenn Wolfmoore - Told from the perspective of a dog in the apocalypse. This was really dark and quirky. The children's rhyme that broke up the story was very creepy but this story was just really weird. Not sure I enjoyed it, but I appreciated it. ★ ★ ★
What Gentle Women Dare by Kelly Robson - Dark, but deep. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it wasn't written with dialogue that was very much specific to the period and time. That said, I enjoyed it. And it was probably important it was written that way since it plays into the story. ★ ★ ★ ★
The Cook by C.L. Clark - This one was short, sweet, and to the point. Not exactly memorable but written well. Plus, there was a gay romance. ★ ★ ★
Poetry:
Lorelei by Ali Trotti - Eh. Nothing against Trotti's writing. I thought the prose was decent. I just didn't get it. ★ ★
Persephone in Hades by Theodora Goss - Love Greek mythology, decent prose. I enjoyed this. ★ ★ ★
Okuri Inu, or the sending off demon by Betsy Aoki - Also love Japanese mythology. This was very cool. ★ ★ ★
What Grew by Sarah Gailey - Loved this! So quirky and weird. I haven't read Sarah Gailey's book yet, but I do own it. And after reading this, I think I'm very much looking forward to reading her book. And maybe getting everything she's ever written. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Essays:
At Face Value by Briana Lawrence - Important. I really needed to read this. ★ ★ ★ ★
Dislikes the Sea, but Will Venture Upon It If Necessary by Greg Pak - Really liked this. I really saw myself in the author. As a queer teenager, I remember all my own writings and roleplays and how I tried to create an inclusive space for myself. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Burlesque and the Lens of Rewriting by Elsa Sjunneson - This was a really interesting perspective. As someone who frequents fanfiction spaces, I understand Elsa's perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★
In Defense of Escapism by Kelly McCullough - People use escapism as an insult? Who are these people? Cause I clearly need to avoid them. I support Kelly's defense of escapism. More than ever we need that escape. ★ ★ ★ ★
There was a few other things, but that's all the original content. Overall, I liked everything. And now I have a few more authors to check out.
february's review
3.0
Pretty enjoyable read. I think my favorite story from this issue was "What Gentle Women Dare," but there were a lot of great stories and articles.
mikewhiteman's review
3.0
Blessings - Naomi Novik ***
Sucks (To Be You) - Katharine Duckett ***
Discard The Sun, For It Has Failed Us - Marina J Lostetter ***
What Gentle Women Dare - Kelly Robson ***
If We Die Unjustified - A Merc Rustad ***
The Cook - CL Clark ****
In Blue Lily's Wake - Aliette De Bodard ****
Sucks (To Be You) - Katharine Duckett ***
Discard The Sun, For It Has Failed Us - Marina J Lostetter ***
What Gentle Women Dare - Kelly Robson ***
If We Die Unjustified - A Merc Rustad ***
The Cook - CL Clark ****
In Blue Lily's Wake - Aliette De Bodard ****
More...