Cover
Fallen Embers by Nilah Magruder
I LOVE this cover! I love this so much I want a print of this on my wall. . . off to figure out how to make that happen.

Editorial - "The Uncanny Valley"
It is a letter from the editor, so it should be boring. However, I really appreciate the realism of the author. As a mom of special needs kids, it means a lot to read about other parents working around their kids needs. This is my first issue of Uncanny and I already feel at home. I can't wait to go read the back issues!

Non Fiction - "Imaging Place: The BBC Miniseries"
This piece was vivid and real. I found myself thinking about how my own perception of experiences impact the stories that I tell. I cannot wait to read more of this series.

"Badass Moms in the Zombie Apocalypse"
It amazes me when someone can create such a vivid world, with such real characters, and tell their story in so little words. I read this story days ago and it has stayed with me.

"My Country is a Ghost"
To be honest, I would not want a ghost following me around. Yet, the ghosts in this story represented so much more then just one family member that past. They represented culture and your connection to others. I found it to be a timely story that made me think beyond my own experiences.

"You Perfect, Broken Think"
I felt like I was missing the why of this story. There was so much unknown and the characters were not strong enough to make up for it.

"Where you Linger"
A look at your life through sex. . . interesting, but I didn't connect. I did not understand how the journey was cathartic for the main character.

"All the Trees of the Forest Shall Clap Their Hands"
A cute and dark take on the doorway to an alternate reality troupe.

"The Spirit of Leech"
Seriously? Using vampires to preach the evils of not vaccinating? I guess it could work. . . but I didn't feel this did.

"Braid of Days and Wake of Nights"
A very powerful story that had a unicorn as the guide to death and not the savior. It made death magical, but no less sad and tragic.

"Writing With My Keys Between My Fingers"
Well Said! I just wish people would listen. . .

"Save Me A Seat On the Couch: Spoiler Culture Inclusion, and Disability"
It was well written and gave me a unique perspective. Although, I will still be careful for spoilers.

"Speculative Fiction, Everywhere We Look"
Ehh

"Street Harassment is an Access Issue"
Wow! Well said. I wish I could send this out to everyone!

Poetry
"Who Do You Think You Are"
"Elegy for the Self as Viilleneuve's Belle"
"The Death of Gods"
"A Tenjo Kudan Defends Her Theft"
All good but nothing that directly impacted me - but I am the worst person to review poetry.

I found Truly Madly Guilty really slow at first. I was annoyed at the alternate timelines that seemed to hint at something profound and yet not profound at the same time. The set up did not work for me, at least until the big reveal of the tragedy of the night.

Once the different time lines began to make sense I could focus on the characters and was pulled into the story. I went from not wanting to pick up the book to not wanting to put it down.

The book was a contemporary and the plot was everything and nothing at the exact same time. . . but the truth is that our lives are the same. There are so many impactful moments that blend into the monotony of every day living. This is what made the novel great, once you got past the start of the novel.

I picked up this book after seeing it on Bookstagram. By the time I got it at the library I forgot why I wanted to read it and almost did not pick it up. Thankfully I did.

An Unkindness of Ghosts is amazing adult science fiction. It is about a generational ship that is on a voyage to a habitual planet. Pretty classic science fiction plot - which is what I have been craving lately.

But it is also an amazing novel that delves into race, classism, gender identity, sexuality, feminism, and ability (both physical and mental). All while having amazing writing and vivid complex characters.

The main character, Aster, is non-binary female with autistic like traits. She spoke late, has difficulty with communication, does not understand social interactions, and is a genius. Her mother died shortly after giving birth and left Aster alone where she was sent to a lower deck to be a farmhand and ends up becoming an assistant to the Surgeon.

Theo, The Surgeon, is a non-binary (gender fluid) male and is the son of the ship leader and a low level worker. Being born light enough to “pass” as white Theo is raised with the elite of the ship, but never belonging. It helps that he is also super smart and made some amazing discoveries as a young teen. He developed Polo as a result and his body was permanently impacted.

The novel is ultimately driven by Aster’s desire to connect and understand the reason for her mother’s death. It takes interesting turns, but the main appeal is character and world building that makes this a masterful science fiction novel. One that I will be permanently adding to my library.