A reasonable start with two 3’s and two 3.5’s and some non-fiction.
Lightspeed 1 : I’m Alive I Love You I’ll See You in Reno – Vylar Kaftan
Lightspeed 1 : The Cassandra Project – Jack McDevitt
Lightspeed 1 : Cats in Victory – David Barr Kirtley
Lightspeed 1 : Amaryllis – Carrie Vaughn
Missed connections.
3 out of 5
Alien bad [...]
Clearly one of the worst issues so far. Nothing of interest in any of it.
Clarkesworld 47 : Thirteen Ways of Looking at Space/Time – Catherynne M. Valente
Clarkesworld 47 : Messenger – Julia M Sidorova
The Other Side.
2 out of 5
In the beginning was too far from the end.
2.5 out of 5
1 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_47
An interesting article on keeping a closed ecosystem going with a view to space travel.
Good to see stuff like the Kanakia, too.
Clarkesworld 46 : Beach Blanket Spaceship – Sandra McDonald
Clarkesworld 46 : The Association of the Dead – Rahul Kanakia
Vee-Real, Pops.
3 out of 5
Code Song sumith.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/kanakia_07_10/
Nothing makes it above ordinary here.
Apex Magazine 15 : Fair Ladies – Theodora Goss
Apex Magazine 15 : Four Is Me! With Squeeeeee! – Nick Mamatas
Apex Magazine 15 : Secret Life – Jeff VanderMeer
Back to Malo.
3 out of 5
State of ruin.
2 out of 5
Cleaning out the shadow chamber.
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
http://apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/
Nothing of interest here except the Sanford – apart from the fact that the last is styled as a puzzle, so may be a bit of fun.
Apex Magazine 14 : Apex Magazine 14 – Jason Sizemore
Apex Magazine 14 : Artifact – Peter Atwood
Apex Magazine 14 : Shrödinger’s Pussy – Terra LeMay
Apex Magazine 14 : Here [...]
Articles on dodgy medical research and a review of Allen M. Steele’s Coyote Destiny.
ANALOG952 : THAT LEVIATHAN WHOM THOU HAST MADE – Eric James Stone
ANALOG952 : PUPA – David D. Levine
ANALOG952 : SPLUDGE – Richard A. Lovett
ANALOG952 : RED LETTER DAY – Kristine Kathryn Rusch
ANALOG952 : FLOTSAM – K.C. Ball
ANALOG952 : THE VIEW FROM THE [...]
Exactly the same as the last issue, four above average stories, one average, and one poor. This one tailing off towards the end.
The whole bunch of reviews is here this time, however.
Best story is Jim Hawkins Zambian tale, easily. Maybe he can give another one a go before 40 years pass again.
Interzone 227 : [...]
An interesting article by James Patrick Kelly centred around Free, and also Silverberg on Satan, and a bunch of Spinradian book reviews.
ASIMOVS 413 : THE EMPEROR OF MARS – Allen M. Steele
ASIMOVS 413 : PETOPIA – Benjamin Crowell
ASIMOVS 413 : MONKEY DO – Kit Reed
ASIMOVS 413 : THE PEACOCK CLOAK – Chris Beckett
ASIMOVS 413 : [...]
Some whacked out Spinrad book talk, and just about ok issue at 3.28 – with the clear standout being the excellent Popkes novella.
ASIMOVS411412 : THE UNION OF SOIL AND SKY – Gregory Norman Bossert
ASIMOVS411412 : UNFORESEEN – Molly Gloss
ASIMOVS411412 : ADRIFT – Eugene Fischer
ASIMOVS411412 : THEY LAUGHED AT ME IN VIENNA AND AGAIN IN PRAGUE [...]
There’s an article on the rock album as science fiction.
Clarkesworld 45 : Futures in the Memories Market – Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Clarkesworld 45 : My Father’s Singularity – Brenda Cooper
Geeta business.
3 out of 5
Dogged dad changeless.
3 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_45/
There’s a roundtable discussion with some authors that relates to the anthology some of this work cmmes from.
Apex Magazine 19 : The Last Stand of the Ant Maker – Paul Jessup
Apex Magazine 19 : City of Refuge – Jerry Gordon
Apex Magazine 19 : The Days of Flaming Motorcycles – Catherynne M. Valente
Head bursting war.
3 out [...]
A fairly similar quality and breakdown to the last issue at 3.13. With a column on gender in languages.
ANALOG950 : Analog 950 – Stanley Schmidt
ANALOG950 : THE ANUNNAKI LEGACY – Bond Elam
ANALOG950 : LIGHT CONVERSATION – Alastair Mayer
ANALOG950 : SPACE ALIENS TAUGHT MY DOG TO KNIT! – Jerry Oltion and Elton Elliott
ANALOG950 : HEIST [...]
3 articles in this one and a decent story make it come out average.
Clarkesworld 44 : A Jar of Goodwill – Tobias S. Buckell
Clarkesworld 44 : A Sweet Calling – Tony Pi
Hermaphrodite Friends don’t lobotomise alien races Compact.
3.5 out of 5
Toasty Monkey.
2.5 out of 5
3 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/
A better issue at 3.29, headed by the Popkes version of ‘Fiends of the Eastern Front’.
Reviews of Kim Stanley Robinson and Ilona Andrews’ Edge book are also included.
FSF689 : WHY THAT CRAZY OLD LADY GOES UP THE MOUNTAIN – Michael Libling
FSF689 : THIEF OF SHADOWS – Fred Chappell
FSF689 : DR DEATH VS THE VAMPIRE – [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 689 – Gordon Van Gelder
An overall of only 3.15. The best story easily is Livia Llewellyn’s, with the Bishop and Baker worth a look, too.
Subterranean Online 13 : Judge Sn Goes Golfing – John Scalzi
Subterranean Online 13 : Harboring Pearls: A Lucifer Jones Story – Mike Resnick
Subterranean Online 13 : Her Deepness – Livia Llewellyn
Subterranean Online 13 : [...]
Continue reading about Subterranean Online 13 – William Schafer
Lucius Shepard declares The Road pretty ordinary, a collection of pieces called Anime Nation mentioned that sounds interesting, too.
On the fiction front, not too much of note here, fairly similarly to last time.
FSF688 : AMOR FUGIT – Alexandra Duncan
FSF688 : STAR-CROSSED – Tim Sullivan
FSF688 : WAITING FOR THE PHONE TO RING – Richard Bowes
FSF688 : [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 688 – Gordon Van Gelder
The second very good Apex in a row. This one has an urban legend with a SF twist theme.
The others are solid but McGuire’s is both clever and funny.
Apex Magazine 18 : Dying With Her Cheer Pants On – Seanan McGuire
Apex Magazine 18 : Seafoam – Mark Henry
Apex Magazine 18 : Snipe Hunting – [...]
An article on alien roles in media with this 3 average issue.
Clarkesworld 43 : Between Two Dragons – Yoon Ha Lee
Clarkesworld 43 : January – Becca De La Rosa
Heaven’s Gate starsail memories.
3.5 out of 5
Definitely dead.
2.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_43
A rock-solid issue at 3.42, with a bunch of book reviews, including Ian Sales ruminating on The New Space Opera 2.
Pretty consistent other than one very Rivera and one rubbish Swirsky.
Interzone 226 : INTO THE DEPTHS OF ILLUMINATED SEAS – Jason Sanford
Interzone 226 : HIBAKUSHA – Tyler Keevil
Interzone 226 : IN THE HARSH GLOW OF [...]
Just a 3.13 average for this one, pretty consistently 3ish.
Flurb 9 : The Palmetto Man – Danny Rubin
Flurb 9 : Search – Kek
Flurb 9 : The Goddess of Discord Lives on Mulberry Street – Adam Callaway
Flurb 9 : Val and Me – Rudy Rucker
Flurb 9 : The Soft Armada – Paul Di Filippo
Flurb 9 : [...]
The same quality as the last, a 3.50 right on the knocker. Therefore, a good issue. One leaning a lot more to the fantasy side, even a superhero story by Tidhar.
Interzone 225 : HERE WE ARE FALLING THROUGH SHADOWS – Jason Sanford
Interzone 225 : BY STARLIGHT – Rebecca J. Payne
Interzone 225 : THE [...]
Here you have a Kowal special. Not a bad thing, as she is definitely a more accomplished writer than the usual Apex level.
Apex Magazine 17 : The Bride Replete – Mary Robinette Kowal
Apex Magazine 17 : Beyond the Garden Close – Mary Robinette Kowal
Apex Magazine 17 : Scenting the Dark – Mary Robinette Kowal
Apex [...]
An interesting article to go along with two pretty decent stories:
Future Brains: Neuroscience Fiction versus Neuroscience Fantasy
by Luc Reid
Clarkesworld 42 : Alone With Gandhari – Gord Sellar
Clarkesworld 42 : The History Within Us – Matthew Kressel
Ronnie Mac Attack Guru.
3.5 out of 5
Universe history pollution Horde stardive.
3.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_42
A little worse than the last issue at 3.25. 4’s are thin on the ground this year so far, it seems. JPK on free stuff.
ASIMOVS410 : HELPING THEM TAKE THE OLD MAN DOWN – William PrestonASIMOVS410 : CENTAURS – Benjamin CrowellASIMOVS410 : BLIND CAT DANCE – Alexander JablokovASIMOVS410 : TICKET INSPECTOR GLIDEN BECOMES [...]
Considerably better than the last issue, with a couple of stories edging towards very good with Hemry and Cooper, and Oltion making it. 3.29 overall. There’s even a review of the Legion of Super Heroes Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds. Along with a neuroscience article that is quite interesting.
ANALOG948 : SWORDS AND [...]
An issue a little down at 3.33. The closest to breaking out past garden variety are Broderick and de Bodard.
ASIMOVS409 : STONE WALL TRUTH – Caroline M. YoachimASIMOVS409 : DEAD AIR – Damien BroderickASIMOVS409 : THE WOMAN WHO WAITED FOREVER – Bruce McAllisterASIMOVS409 : THE BOLD EXPLORER IN THE PLACE BEYOND – David Erik [...]
Articles on isotopes and solar systems in this underwhelming issue. Christopher L. Bennett’s was entertaining, though.
ANALOG947 : OF ONE MIND – Shane TourtellotteANALOG947 : ENCOUNTER IN A YELLOW WOOD – Bud SparhawkANALOG947 : LOCKED IN – Brad AikenANALOG947 : TEN THOUSAND MONKEYS – Tocho LigonANALOG947 : DR. SKENNER’S SPECIAL ANIMALS – by David A. [...]
Lucius Shepard takes a look at District 9. Chris Moriarty apparently likes Walter Jon Williams’ Implied Spaces as much as I did, and is also happy that Greg Bear wrote some SF again.
The fiction is below average at a measly 3.00, but a couple of funny stories by Whitlock and Aurealian. Reed is [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 687 – Gordon Van Gelder
Magazines, ancient machines and hovercars. Also not a lot of note storywise, with Reed and Landis the best efforts.
ASIMOVS408 : MARYA AND THE PIRATE – Geoffrey A. Landis ASIMOVS408 : CONDITIONAL LOVE – Felicity Shoulders ASIMOVS408 : A LETTER FROM THE EMPEROR – Steve Rasnic Tem ASIMOVS408 : WONDER HOUSE – Chris Roberson ASIMOVS408 [...]
Only a 3.00 this one, with nothing of non-fictional interest.
Apex Magazine 16 : Apex Magazine 15 – Jason SizemoreApex Magazine 16 : P. A. Chic – Tobias Amadon BengelsdorfApex Magazine 16 : The Lady or the Tiger” by J.M. McDermottApex Magazine 16 : The Killing Streets” by Colin Harvey
Bloody pill shortage.
2.5 out of 5
And a [...]
There’s an article on Mayan Armageddon by Amy H. Sturgis, who is always worth a look it seems. A fairly standard issue other than that – but also with a favorite story poll.
Apex Magazine 15 : Apex Magazine 15 – Jason SizemoreApex Magazine 15 : Wondrous Days – Genevieve ValentineApex Magazine 15 : White [...]
A pretty reasonable issue, and includes a couple of interviews.
Apex Magazine 14 : Apex Magazine 14 – Jason SizemoreApex Magazine 14 : 59 Beads – Rochita Loenen-RuizApex Magazine 14 : Overclocking – James L. SutterApex Magazine 14 : Exit – Jeff Carlson
Dollygirl projection feedlack.
3 out of 5
Bliss hack.
3.5 out of 5
Virus last meal lockin, no [...]
An ok issue, with an Earth Science article re: writing about, and also a Reader’s Poll results, which is a good idea.
Clarkesworld 41 : Torquing Vacuum – Jay LakeClarkesworld 41 : The Language of the Whirlwind – Lavie Tidhar
Flash brass shipcrime.
3.5 out of 5
Ratmeat Fireman.
3 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_41/
Some ok stories, with Stone and Clements in the middle the pick, along with some interesting articles on twins, culture, and more.
ANALOG946 : NEPTUNE’S TREASURE – Richard A. Lovett ANALOG946 : SHAME – Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn ANALOG946 : ON RICKETY THISTLEWAITE – Michael F. Flynn ANALOG946 : REJIGGERING THE THINGAMAJIG – Eric James [...]
I think if I see another ending of ‘and then I fly’ variety, injury from eye-rolling is a possibility. It is like they are selling that one at a discount in McDonald’s if you are from Clarkesworld
Neither is the plot of Peter Watt’s Thing’s original of course, being that of John W. Campbell’s classic [...]
Many writers of note here, but can’t really say the same about the stories. Notes on starting branches of the ‘Science Fictioneers’ club too.
Super Science Stories 2 : Let There Be Light – Robert A. HeinleinSuper Science Stories 2 : Castaway – Donald A. Wollheim Super Science Stories 2 : Juice – L. Sprague de [...]
Continue reading about Super Science Stories 2 – Frederik Pohl
A highly variable issue from the highly excellent Brackett story to the wretched Mullen tale. Of the two of his seen so far, easily the worst come across in the later part of the magazine, anyway. The first issue was very bad, and can get to some more in a library some time.
Coppel has [...]
Overall this issue is bad, except for the Coppel story, which I like a lot. 2.69 only. Abernathy next best and then probably the Anderson is a little over the 2.5 mark.
Planet Stories 44 : The Rebel of Valkyr – Alfred Coppel Planet Stories 44 : Death-Wish – Ray Bradbury Planet Stories 44 [...]
One good, one rubbish, and the rest right in the midle, with two fun novellas from Bennett and Graber.
Planet Stories 42 : The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears – Keith Bennett Planet Stories 42 : Forever and the Earth – Ray Bradbury Planet Stories 42 : The First Man on the Moon – Alfred Coppel Planet [...]
A consistent issue at 2.85 due to the lineup, but no standouts, with Coppel coming closet with a story more reminiscent of the mood of Poul Anderson’s Duel On Syrtis.
Planet Stories 50 : The Incubi of Parallel X – Theodore Sturgeon Planet Stories 50 : Sanctuary Oh Ulla! – J. T. McIntosh Planet Stories 50 [...]
An amazingly pleasant New Year’s eve surprise. The only Leigh Brackett story I know nothing about, and I am pointed towards it by Tinkoo’s Variety SF! http://variety-sf.blogspot.com/
Didn’t believe my eyes until I saw it the third time. So thanks also to Gerard Arthus via archive.org.
This is the very last issue of Planet Stories [...]
A solidly consistent professional quality issue at 3.44. Resnick managers another amusing Lucifer Jones outing, although not sure where he goes after Tasmania and Antarctica if that is all he has left!
Also pseudonymous Rusch, long Lake and Tim Pratt deals effortlessly with an odd but charming time travel anti-paranoia story, if you like.
Also a [...]
Continue reading about Subterranean Online 12 – William Schafer
Two articles, including a made up martial art.
Clarkesworld 39 : Night in Dark Perfection – Richard ParksClarkesworld 39 : The Grandmother-Granddaughter Conspiracy – Marissa Lingen
Faerie Queen reboot.
3 out of 5
Tentacle learning.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/lingen_12_09/
An ordinary original anthology. Which is pretty much to be expected when you have a book that has stories by a lot of good writers, but not a lot of the best writers. Even Peter S. Beagle’s effort is pretty ordinary. All a bit bland. Which may be deliberate on the [...]
You have Anderson’s rather good tense situation on a starship story, Dick’s reasonable tale, and you can forget the rest apart from some amusement at some bad lines. Or, 2 good, 5 bad.
Planet Stories 1952 09 : Planet Stories 1952 09 – Jack O’SullivanPlanet Stories 1952 09 : Evil Out of Onzar – Mark [...]
There’s unlikely to be a better issue of Planet Stories than this one at 3.42 I’d imagine. Thanks to Brackett and Anderson, that is, with van Vogt and Rocklynne in the middle. The Fyfe story is ok, too.
The letters column continues to be highly entertaining.
Planet Stories 1951 03 : Duel on Syrtis – [...]
An editorial about the state of Australian SF at the time. Publishing of = very conservative. Still true.
This issue is right around the mark at 3.43.
FSF581 : The Fantasy Writer’s Assistant – Jeffrey FordFSF581 : The Green Moon – Dana WildeFSF581 : for every tatter in its mortal dress – Michael SheaFSF581 : Stink [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 581 – Gordon Van Gelder
Here’s another issue right on the mark at 3.43, thanks to strong stories from Matthew Hughes and Charles Coleman Finlay.
FSF629 : A Little Learning – Matthew HughesFSF629 : Zero’s Twin – A. A. AttanasioFSF629 : Faces – Joe HaldemanFSF629 : The Zombie Prince – Kit ReedFSF629 : By the Light of Day – Arthur PorgesFSF629 [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 629 – Gordon Van Gelder
Elizabeth Hand on Alice Shelden, and a new book re: such.
A 3.43, so right around the mark. Bacigalupi way out front here, but also a strong stroy from Beagle.
FSF655 : Revelation – Albert E. CowdreyFSF655 : El Regalo – Peter S. BeagleFSF655 : Killers – Carol EmshwillerFSF655 : Abandon the Ruins – Charles Coleman [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 655 – Gordon Van Gelder
Not much of note here, barely making it to a paltry 3 average. Hughes and Utley the most interesting.
Elizabeth Hand talks about David Marusek’s Counting Heads.
FSF650 : A Herd of Opportunity – Matthew HughesFSF650 : Bea and Her Bird Brother – Gene WolfeFSF650 : Passing Through – Charles Coleman FinlayFSF650 : Show Me Yours [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 650 – Gordon Van Gelder
Slightly over the mark at 3.42, with some oddball stuff from Bisson and Gerrold.Shepard says A Sound Of Thunder is very bad movie.
FSF647 : The Cathedral of Universal Biodiversity – Gary W. Shockley FSF647 : The Long and the Short and the Tall [Kedrigern] – John Morressy FSF647 : Planet of Mystery 2 – Terry [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 647 – Gordon Van Gelder
A 3.30 issue, so a bit down. The clear standout is Laird Barron, but the Robertson is entertaining, too.
FSF636 : Inner Huff – Matthew HughesFSF636 : From Above – Robert ReedFSF636 : Queen of the Balts – R. Garcia y RobertsonFSF636 : Proboscis – Laird BarronFSF636 : Dutch – Richard Mueller
Siren song nymph piggy [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 636 – Gordon Van Gelder
Both Elizabeth Hand and Lucius Shepard in this issue, with Troll books and Spotless Minds.
The fiction is just about around the mark, at 3.40, with the standout being Cowdrey.
FSF631 : The Condor’s Green-Eyed Child – Robert ReedFSF631 : The Tribes of Bela – Albert E. CowdreyFSF631 : Start the Clock – Benjamin RosenbaumFSF631 : The [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 631 – Gordon Van Gelder
Lucius Shepard not too impressed with puny Hulk movie. Same with mag, only 3.21.
FSF623 : The Legend of the Midnight Cruiser – Michael ReavesFSF623 : Peace on Suburbia – M. RickertFSF623 : Pagliacci’s Divorce – Daniel AbrahamFSF623 : Killer of Children – R. Garcia y RobertsonFSF623 : Coming of Age Day – Rand B. [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 623 – Gordon Van Gelder
Just a 3.29, with some more movie stuff from Lucius Shepard. Pretty much consistenly in the middleof the curve this issue.
FSF603 : The Man on the Persian Carpet – Kate WilhelmFSF603 : Afterlife – Jack WilliamsonFSF603 : Foodstuff – Steven UtleyFSF603 : Black Dust – Graham JoyceFSF603 : Forkpoints – Sheila FinchFSF603 : [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 603 – Gordon Van Gelder
Only a 3.20 average, the best story being Watson’s. Silverberg on the horrors of carbon paper and photocopying and typewriters. JPK on more web stuff, and the editorial is on pulp art.
ASIMOVS369370 : A BILLION EVES – Robert ReedASIMOVS369370 : BIODAD – Kit ReedASIMOVS369370 : DAWN AND SUNSET AND THE COLOURS OF THE [...]
Silverberg on novel serialisation in the past in mags.
Only a 3.27 for this issue, with the standout Tom Purdom’s ‘Bank Run’.
ASIMOVS357358 : Memory Work – L. Timmel DuchampASIMOVS357358 : Nightmare – M. BennardoASIMOVS357358 : Out of the Box – Steve MartinezASIMOVS357358 : The God Engine – Ted KosmatkaASIMOVS357358 : Pericles the Tyrant – Lois TiltonASIMOVS357358 [...]
This one is just mediocre at 3.25, with one significant exception being Asher’s excellent Gabbleduck story.
ASIMOVS355 : He Woke in Darkness – Harry TurtledoveASIMOVS355 : Softly Spoke the Gabbleduck – Neal AsherASIMOVS355 : A Shadow Over the Land – Liz WilliamsASIMOVS355 : Point of Origin – Catherine WellsASIMOVS355 : Bottom Feeding – Tim PrattASIMOVS355 : [...]
Not much of interest in this one fictionally except the very good story by Robertson to finish.
Silverberg has some grandmaster talk, and is also one of course. JPK talks about the Darknet.
ASIMOVS349 : The 120 Hours of Sodom – Jim GrimsleyASIMOVS349 : Angel Kills – William SandersASIMOVS349 : The Two Old Women – Kage [...]
An article on cyberpunk in Japan, an editorial on alternate history, and a rare beast, the issue where all stories are above average, or better. Much, much better in the case of Bruce McAllister’s ‘Kin’.
A 3.71 overall, and a 5 star will warrant a roundup to 5.0 with some decent non-fiction.
ASIMOVS361 : Under the [...]
A mag of two halves, some strong stories and some average, which gets you the 3.50 for a mean. JPK goes SETI.
ASIMOVS356 : Generations – Frederik PohlASIMOVS356 : Finished – Robert ReedASIMOVS356 : Pipeline – Brian W. AldissASIMOVS356 : The Company Man – John Phillip OlsenASIMOVS356 : Second Person Present Tense – Daryl GregoryASIMOVS356 [...]
A very consistent issue, but the problem is that it is consistently average. So only a 3.19.
ASIMOVS354 : The Children of Time – Stephen BaxterASIMOVS354 : Clipper’s Last Ride – Richard MuellerASIMOVS354 : Killing Time – Kristine Kathryn RuschASIMOVS354 : RAW – Daniel GrottaASIMOVS354 : Waking Chang-Er – Samantha LingASIMOVS354 : The Real Deal [...]
Two strong stories start and finish this badly sub-standard issue, luckily. Middle, not so good. The Priest piece of crap is easily the worst ’story’ I have seen in Asimov’s I think.
ASIMOVS371 : YELLOW CARD MAN – Paolo BacigalupiASIMOVS371 : PLAUSIBLE – Robert ReedASIMOVS371 : IMMUNITY – Susan ForestASIMOVS371 : SAFE! – Brian [...]
Silverberg on big sea monsters. Rusch writes about Media Barbarians and that there needs to be more SF books more like the Star Wars stuff they are looking for that are not Star Wars novelisations. On this, I completely agree, much as I love Bacigalupi and company.
An ordinary issue, fiction wise, at 3.28.
ASIMOVS368 : [...]
2 strong stories, 3 poor. Not a good ratio, and only 3.25 for this issue.Silverberg on dinosaur noses.
ASIMOVS366 : NANO COMES TO CLIFFORD FALLS – NANCY KRESSASIMOVS366 : YOU WILL GO TO THE MOON – William PrestonASIMOVS366 : THE WORLD AND ALICE – L. Timmel DuchampASIMOVS366 : BITTERSEED – Ted KosmatkaASIMOVS366 : IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS [...]
An excellent issue at 3.17, with 4 strong stories, with Asher’s weird monsters and Reed and McAuley having lots of dead people.
ASIMOVS362 : The Gabble – Neal AsherASIMOVS362 : 46 Directions None of Them North – Deborah CoatesASIMOVS362 : Dark Eden – Chris BeckettASIMOVS362 : Rwanda – Robert ReedASIMOVS362 : DEAD MEN WALKING – Paul [...]
A really excellentissue at 3.82, you won’t find too many magazines better than this one. Two excellent stories by Melko and Rosenblum, and strong work by Williams, Maxey, McCarthey and Van Eekhout, the latter being a fantasy.
Book reviews include Sean Williams Resurrected Man. Silverberg gets genealogical.
Not quite a 5, but enough to round up to [...]
Only a 3.25 for this issue, with Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s Diving Into the Wreck a country kilometre ahead of everything else.
Silverberg writes on Lovecraft as Science Fiction. JPK writes about Masters. Non-SF can get this one up to over the 3.25 and round up mark.
ASIMOVS359 : To the Easy a Bright Star – [...]
A slightly down issue at 3.36, with two strong stories from Skillingstead and McCarthy. An editorial on robots.
ASIMOVS351352 : Solidarity – Walter John WilliamsASIMOVS351352 : Mason’s Rats – Neal AsherASIMOVS351352 : La Gran Muerte – Liz WilliamsASIMOVS351352 : Dark of the Sun – William BartonASIMOVS351352 : Down Memory Lane – Mike ResnickASIMOVS351352 : California King [...]
There’s an interview with a Malaysian writer you apparently lives in Australia.
Apex Magazine 13 : After the Fire – Aliette de BodardApex Magazine 13 : Benjamin Schneider’s Little Greys – Nir YanivApex Magazine 13 : An Evening in the City Coffeehouse With Lydia on My Mind – Alexsandr Ziljak
Earth guilt sleep.
3 out of 5
Tummy crop [...]
Two decent stories, an interview with Elizabeth Hand, and an article on genetics, so well done.
Clarkesworld 38 : The Mermaids Singing Each to Each – Cat RamboClarkesworld 38 : Brief Candle – Jason K. Chapman
Worse than bloody sharks.
3.5 out of 5
Alpha Charley Bravo Tango reboot.
3.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_38
Fairly similar in quality to the last issue, at 3.18. A lot of book reviews, as well.
Matthew Hughes oddball throwback fantasy with a twist is easily the best.
FSF686 : DRAGON’S TEETH – Alex Irvine FSF686 : HELL OF A FIX – Matthew Hughes FSF686 : INSIDE TIME – Tim Sullivan FSF686 : I NEEDS [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 686 – Gordon Van Gelder
An interview with Robert Holdstock, and reviews of James Barclay’s Ravensoul, and Lauren Beukes’ Moxyland, among others. Some movie reviews include moon.
Fictionally, a good issue at 3.50, with Sanford leading the pack in both quality and position.
Interzone 224 : SUBLIMATION ANGELS – Jason SanfordInterzone 224 : NO LONGER YOU – Katherine Sparrow and Rachel [...]
There’s a few book reviews here, incuding Gregory’s Pandemonium, along with Pratchett and Gaiman.
A bit below average at 3.36, the stories.
ASIMOVS407 : A LOVELY LITTLE CHRISTMAS FIRE – Jeff Carlson ASIMOVS407 : AS WOMEN FIGHT – Sara Genge ASIMOVS407 : ANIMUS RIGHTS – John Shirley ASIMOVS407 : ANGIE’S ERRAND – Nick Wolven ASIMOVS407 : LEAVING [...]
An editorial about changing engineering psychology, a article about what happened to Mars weather over time, and a very interesting one of Dark Matter particle detection experiments.
Fiction only a 3.17, so subpar. Baxter’s time gradation planet story the best.
ANALOG945 : FORMIDABLE CARESS – Stephen Baxter ANALOG945 : A FLASH OF LIGHTNING – Robert Scherrer ANALOG945 [...]
The second ‘fiction issue’ isn’t as good as the first, 2.93 as compared to 3.17. The website does have other material, interviews, reviews, faux articles etc.
Innsmouth Free Press 2 : Innsmouth Free Press 2 – Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Paula R. StilesInnsmouth Free Press 2 : Prayer at Dark River – Mary Robinette KowalInnsmouth Free [...]
Continue reading about Innsmouth Free Press 2 – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
There’s an interview with Brand Massey. A 3.25, so a fairly standard minor magazine score, with the Jessup reprint the best, but Sizemore’s is reasonable, too.
Apex Magazine 12 : A Poor Man’s Roses – Alethea KontisApex Magazine 12 : To Dream of Stars An Astronomer’s Lament – Peter M. BallApex Magazine 12 : Yellow [...]
The fiction is fine, certainly – but Ken Scholes writes crystalline, muscular and minimalist prose? Can you have crystalline minimalism? Anyway, if the excerpt of Lamentation at BCS is anything to go by, and hence Scholes is a muscular minimalist, then Raymond Chandler is Godzilla, nanoscale. Pretty sure eyeballing that Lamentation is [...]
A fine issue, at 3.56. Always nice to have more Kim Newman available to everyone, particularly when it is the Diogenes Club. Also included a classic audio reprint if you like by Blaylock, and one of the funnier Lucifer Jones stories by Resnick.
Much Alex Irvine here, two stories, one interview.
K. J. Parker does a lengthy [...]
Continue reading about Subterranean Online 11 – William Schafer
Nothing of much interest here, not even getting to 3 with the highest a 3.5. Apart from a blurry rollerball photo that is, and other assorted whacky snaps. There’s also a collage! and a few poems.
Flurb 8 : Flurb 8 – Rudy RuckerFlurb 8 : My Only Sunshine – Emily C. SkaftunFlurb [...]
A guest edited section by Kim Stanley Robinson, from New Scientist magazine. So a nice surprise. All vignettes – and an article of similar length by Geoff Ryman is included, along with some short book reviews including Wireless, by Charles Stross, and Oceanic, by Greg Egan.
Stories of this length generally aren’t any good, [...]
Continue reading about New Scientist Sci-Fi Special – Kim Stanley Robinson
An anniversary issue with an impressive lineup, although they come up with a fair bit of average. Feghoot stories of course you expect to be bad jokes, it is their job.
Charles Oberndorf sort of crosses Joe Haldeman’s Forever War and Dave Wolverton’s On My Way To Paradise, with a twist as the second best [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 685 – Gordon Van Gelder
A 3.30 average here, so a bit down in this Dominic Green special – although his stories are fine. There’s an interview, too, of course.
Reviews of Abercrombie’s Best Served Cold, and also DVDs including a live action version of the 20th Century Boys manga, and movies like Star Trek and Wolverine
Interzone 223 : Butterfly [...]
Another down issue, just a 3.17. The McMullen story at the end is the clear highlight. There’s an article about a Paul Di Filippo project, and a review of Jay Lake’s Green. Also of the third Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, among others. There’s also a look at the Watchmen [...]
Some solidly interesting stories here with Sedia against displaying her talents as the best of the bunch.
Also an interview and a couple of articles.
Apex Magazine 11 : Fungal Gardens – Ekaterina SediaApex Magazine 11 : Advertising at the End of the World – Keffy R.M. KehrliApex Magazine 11 : The Girl in the Basement [...]
Paul McAuley talks about possible Gardens of Saturn, so to speak.
Clarkesworld 36 : Clarkesworld 36 – Sean WallaceClarkesworld 36 : White Charles – Sarah MonetteClarkesworld 36 : Non-Zero Probabilities – N.K. Jemisin
Hand of Glory ghost.
3.5 out of 5
Off track Joker.
2.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_36
Kelly on the Hubble, more Silverberg on Majipoor making. Kowal writes about a conversion with scientist Michio Kau.
Only a 3.30 average with this one, with Robertson the best, and Bartont he next most interesting.
ASIMOVS405406 : BLOOD DAUBER – Ted Kosmatka and Michael Poore ASIMOVS405406 : WHERE THE TIME GOES – Heather Lindsley ASIMOVS405406 : WIFE-STEALING [...]
Just a 3.20 average for this lot, with Nordley the most interesting.
Editorial opinion that Mundane SF types can’t possibly be right in assuming they can know what kinds of technology can be developed.
Columns on how to stop the planet being Big Rocked, and on experimentation.
ANALOG944 : TO CLIMB A FLAT MOUNTAIN 1 – G. David [...]
Pretty much the same as the latest issue, a serviceable bunch of stories coming in at around the 3.25 mark.
Cobb on possible mind to mind communication. Ben Bova on lasers. Eric Flint on Internet promotion, and Kristine Kathryn Rusch on evolution of genres.
JBU0318 : Calculating Minds – Edward M. LernerJBU0318 : Primrose Rescue – Bud [...]
Beneath Ceaseless Skies 24 : Sorrow’s Blade – Rita Oakes Beneath Ceaseless Skies 24 : Father’s Kill – Christopher Green
Bold swording.
2 out of 5
There’s a wolf in there. No bears, though.
3 out of 5
1 out of 5
http://beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/toc.php?s=all
Continue reading about Beneath Ceaseless Skies 24 – Scott H. Andrews
A reasonable issue at 3.38. This time Lucius Shepard takes his bat to M. Night Shylaman.
Strong stories from Laird Barron and the new kid Le Guin.
I give this one a not quite 3.75 overall for the issue.
FSF614 : Old Virginia – Laird BarronFSF614 : The Seasons of the Ansarac – Ursula K. Le GuinFSF614 [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 614 – Gordon Van Gelder
Only average this one, a 3.13. Below the mean standard for these, of course.There’s a review of some of Willingham’s Fables, among others.
FSF611 : A Democracy of Trolls – Charles Coleman FinlayFSF611 : Something by the Sea – Jeffrey FordFSF611 : Openclose – Terry BissonFSF611 : The Sleeping Woman – Robert ReedFSF611 : The [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 611 – Gordon Van Gelder
Only a 3.14 here, with Willrich the best, easily.
FSF608 : The Posthumous Man – Albert E. CowdreyFSF608 : Droplet – Benjamin RosenbaumFSF608 : Geropods – Robert OnopaFSF608 : King Rainjoy’s Tears – Chris WillrichFSF608 : The Flâneurs of Mars – Thomas M. DischFSF608 : You Can’t Get Turnip Juice Out of an Aorta – Robert [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 608 – Gordon Van Gelder
A 3.31 here. The standout is Yoon Ha Lee, by far. There’s a robot article by Gregory Benford, and books by Elizabeth Hand.
FSF607 : Our Friend Electricity – Ron WolfeFSF607 : Dating Secrets of the Dead – David PrillFSF607 : Miles to Go – Sheila FinchFSF607 : The Black Abacus – Yoon Ha LeeFSF607 [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 607 – Gordon Van Gelder
An ordinary issue at 3.10, with Di Filippo’s the best. Lucius Shepard looks at the Lord of the Rings movie.
FSF606 : The Short Ashy Afterlife of Hiram P. Dottle – Paul Di FilippoFSF606 : Chichen Itza – Alex IrvineFSF606 : Creation – Jeffrey FordFSF606 : Our Novel – Don WebbFSF606 : Trouble Is – Robert [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 606 – Gordon Van Gelder
A good issue at 3.58. More books from Hand, and Shepard goes Chinese martial arts movie.
Also a Kate Wilhelm special, with an editorial appreciation, a bit of a bibliography, and a novella, which, unfortunately, is pretty dull.
A top class story from Alex Irvine, and Laird Barron finishes off with a strong entry.
FSF599 : Yesterday’s [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 599 – Gordon Van Gelder
An top class issue, at 3.70, with the first two stories excellent and very good.Elizabeth Hand looks at a Terry Bisson book.
FSF596 : Counting the Shapes – Yoon Ha LeeFSF596 : The Diamond Pit – Jack DannFSF596 : Tomorrow – Albert E. CowdreyFSF596 : Tom Swift and His Humongous Mechanical Dude – Allen SteeleFSF596 : [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 596 – Gordon Van Gelder
A 3.31 average, with Garcia y Robertson again the best, but this time a standard sort of fantasy.
Lucius Shepard talks about the crap done to Philip K. Dick in movies.
FSF595 : Doing the Unstuck – Paul Di FilippoFSF595 : Playmate – Kit ReedFSF595 : The Ferryman’s Wife – Richard BowesFSF595 : Achronicity – Raymond SteiberFSF595 [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 595 – Gordon Van Gelder
Lucius Shepard picks up the quinella, the best article and best story. A bad devil movie, and some good strange Russian mobsterness. Only a 3.10 issue apart from that, though.
FSF593 : Eternity and Afterward – Lucius ShepardFSF593 : Market Day – Robert ReedFSF593 : Slipshod at the Edge of the Universe – Robert [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 593 – Gordon Van Gelder
A bunch of good and a bunch of average is what that boils down to – and a 3.50 average. Garcia y Robertson’s is paricularly entertaining.
Pat Murphy has a relativity column and Elizabeth Hand and Mike Ashley look at some books.
FSF584 : Black Magic for Dummies – Ron GoulartFSF584 : Flowers for Algernon – [...]
Continue reading about Fantasy and Science Fiction 584 – Gordon Van Gelder