Review: Lightspeed Magazine issue #116
EricMesa
- 2 minutes read - 386 wordsLightspeed Magazine, Issue 116, January 2020 by John Joseph Adams
Science Fiction
The Men Who Change the World (Christopher East) - this story gives me serious “Severance” vibes, but it was written before that show came out. I think there was something in the air they were both tapping into.
All Together, Now (Jason Hough and Ramez Naam) - even though we know where the story is headed, it still managed to surprise me in the final paragraph. Because humanity doesn’t change, this remains so relevant today as so many civilians die to try and kill a small enemy
She’d Never Had a Name Before (J.R. Dawson) - this one was hard to read for personal reasons, but I really loved the way it ended.
The Ones Who Stay and Fight (N.K. Jemisin) - References Omelas. I’ve finally acquired Omelas from the Ursula K Leguin Humble Bundle. I love the way this story evolves and I didn’t expect the ending. Jemisin always writes a story that makes you think and this one is no exception.
Fantasy
Story Kit (Kij Johnson) - an mix of mythology and the writer’s personal story. Very intense.
Destinations of Joy (Alexander Weinstein) - it almost functions as a companion piece to The Ones Who Stay And Fight, but perhaps slightly less serious.
Holiday (M. Rickert) - this is a really, really weird story. I’m not entirely sure by the end what happened exactly.
Fortune’s Final Hand (Adam-Troy Castro) - a fantasy casino that is more terrifying than any real casino. I always find Castro’s work to be compelling and this story is no exception.
Excerpts
Excerpt - A queen in hiding (Sarah Kozloth) - Intriguing setup. A very interesting set of magic among the royal line.
Non-Fiction
Book Reviews (Chris Kluwe) - A couple reviews that seem to focus on a swashbuckling sort of nature and a Gibson review.
Movie Reviews (Carrie Vaughn) - About Terminator: Dark Fate, but also about women in action movies, correcting a franchise that has gone off the rails, and what makes a hero narrative compelling.
Interview: Tochi Onyebuchi (Christian A. Coleman) - Interview mostly about Riot Baby, a book I read a year or more ago. Provides a lot of background on the writing process and where the ideas came from.