Steampunk and Bird People

I haven’t read a lot of Steampunk, so I am not super versed in the subject. However, this story very much reminded me of one of my all-time favorite novels: China Mieville’s Perdido Street Station. Maybe it was the dark and gritty setting, or maybe it was the reconstructed and mechanical people, or maybe it was the strange bird people. Whatever it was I found myself instantly drawn to this wonderful, award winning story and the unique world in which it took place.

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Randal owes a lot to Jackson, the man who found him nearly dead and fixed him up all fine and dandy. In fact Jackson is a really nice old man who loves ancient fairy-tales and helping people who are almost dead. So when he happens upon a girl who was beaten by a group of the mutated Corvidae he obviously brings her back to his workshop to restore her body. There are a couple of problems though – like the tiny, expensive parts that will be needed to reconstruct her tongue. Oh – and the murderous gang who wanted her dead in the first place!

My Two Cents…

• I liked all of the main characters in this story. Jackson, Randal, Rose, Pelican and even Rook3 were all very interesting and fun to read about.
• Of the many fascinating things in the story, I found Jackson’s love of retro design coupled with helping severely hurt people to be the most touching. Yet it wasn’t utopian – there was still that little hint that one needs to be careful around Jackson.
• I did feel that the ending was too abrupt. I longed to know more about what happened to the characters. Oh well, I guess that is sign of a good story right? Leaving you wanting more and all.

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Page Count: 14
• Word Count: 7,540
• “Clockwork, Patchwork and Ravens” was the winner of the 2009 Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Short Story.
• Did you know that Peter M. Ball is working on a post-graduate thesis on the gothic? Yep. You can learn more about this fascinating author at his web site..

Where You Can Find Clockwork, Patchwork and Ravens:

• This story was originally published in the May 2009 edition of the online magazine Abyss & Apex – where you can still read it for free.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked “Clockwork, Patchwork and Ravens” then you’ll probably also enjoy Exhalation by Ted Chiang.

Mail is so Important

I once spent nearly a year living on a tiny, remote island in the Pacific Ocean – so I think I know what I’m talking about when I say that mail from loved ones is extremely important to an isolated person’s well being. There were times when I would visit the little post office several times a day – hoping for something… anything from my family. I never really gave much thought to the people who delivered the mail (except when they searched my Christmas packages!), but it’s possible that they didn’t like their jobs. That is the main theme in this excellent story by one of the genre’s giants.

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Preston isn’t very happy. In fact he considers himself to be “washed up” now that the government has assigned him to be a postman. It isn’t a bad job, except Preston used to be on one of the patrol ships that protected the postmen. And to make matters worse some of his junior companions have been assigned to protect him! Ah – the gall! Anyway, now that he is heading for Ganymede he discovers a few situations in which his former training is coming in very useful – all to the benefit of the people who live on that isolated outpost.

My Two Cents…

• I thought Preston was a great character. I mean who wouldn’t be pissed off if they felt they were demoted for no good reason?
• It was really fun reading a story that was written when people still believed there might actually be intelligent life somewhere in our solar system – even if that life was just a bunch of big, angry worms!
• If you are a fan of classic science fiction stories then you are sure to love “Postmark Ganymede”.

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Page Count: 7
• Word Count: 2,729
• Did you know that Robert Silverberg has been publishing science fiction for the past 57 years? Yep. You can learn more about this amazingly prolific author at his quasi-official web site.

Where You Can Find Postmark Ganymede:

• This story was originally published in the September 1957 issue of Amazing Stories.
• You can read it online for free at Munseys.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked “Postmark Ganymede” then you’ll probably enjoy The Hunted Heroes – also by Robert Silverberg.

Spider Plants?

We have spider plants in our house, and each of my three children have (at some point in their lives) been a little bit afraid of them. Heck, I’ve even been freaked out by their bizarre silhouettes in the middle of a full-moon night. Now that I’ve read this story I’m just glad I don’t have Gary’s jug in my home – for more than one reason!

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Gary has something very strange in the watercooler jug on the shelf in his office. It looks kind of like a fern… with eyeballs. In this wonderfully fun story Gary proceeds to lay out the colorful events that lead up to the thing in the watercooler jug. You see, it all started one Halloween when Gary went to wash his hands in the restroom. It wasn’t water that came out of the tap – no sir, it was candy! That would be awesome… except that the candy was kind of slimy. When Gary and two other women from his office building try to figure out how the candy got there they discover that there is something very sinister lurking in the pipes – and it is quite hungry! Hmm… sounds just like the kind of situation giddy children would want to avoid.

My Two Cents…

• The tone of this story was really fun! It was very light-hearted and fit the situation perfectly. Bravo.
• The 3 main characters were excellent. It was fun reading about their quirky behavior and reactions to events in the story.
• Yeah, I know the story line sounds quite improbable, but if you willfully cast off your disbelief I think you’ll totally enjoy this cool little story.

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Page Count: 9
• Word Count: 4,296
• Did you know that Vylar Kaftan enjoys modern-day temple dancing? Yep. You can discover loads of fascinating, rarely-asked tidbits about this author at her web site.
• Special thanks to Free SF Reader for pointing out this awesome story.

Where You Can Find Something Wicked This Way Plumbs:

• This story was originally published in the 2007 Shimmer limited edition Halloween chapbook.
• You can read a very nice HTML version of “Something Wicked This Way Plumbs” for free at Vylar Kaftan’s web site.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked “Something Wicked This Way Plumbs” then you’ll probably also enjoy Shoggoths in Bloom by Elizabeth Bear.

“Crystal Nights” is a 2008 science fiction novelette by Greg Egan. It is about a man of great wealth and ambition who wants to not only be the creator of artificial intelligence, but also its master.

AI can also mean Always Interesting

Artificial intelligence is a topic well known to science fiction readers, not to mention TV watchers, game players, and moviegoers. Not a year goes by that someone doesn’t take a stab at writing their own story about AI and what it will mean for humanity. Here Greg Egan not only takes his stab, but he follows that up with a roundhouse kick that will send you flying in a direction you didn’t expect. His use of jargon is well done, as is his exposition that didn’t read like exposition at all. Apart from a few minor technical quibbles – writing wise – this is an incredibly informative and engrossing tale of ambition, exploration, and revelation.

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Daniel Cliff is a rich man, but wealth isn’t his primary motivator – innovation is. And, his desire to be at the front of the pack drives him to begin a project in creating the world’s first true Artificial Intelligence. But, in order to do that he not only needs the proper hardware, he also needs the right team of people to make it happen, as well as the wisdom to guide them through the potentially hazardous maze that stands between him and his dream. What happens, though, when results outstrip intentions is something you’ll have to discover for yourself as you read “Crystal Nights.” It is a mesmerizing story of worlds and ideals on a collision course that will change everything.

My Two Cents…

• I love science fiction, but I get tired with the author who feels like the science is more important than the fiction. Greg Egan walks that line deftly.
• In the beginning there were a few odd narrative moments where the view point changed between characters without warning, and it was a little jarring, but a third the way through it all evened out into a very smooth and satisfying read.
• The best stories are the ones that teach you something along the way, that illuminate something you’d never known or thought of before, and “Crystal Nights” does that. Bravo.

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Page Count: 36
• There’s a good reason why Mr. Egan’s techno jargon sounds so good – as well as being a writer he is also a computer programmer. You can learn more about him at his web site.
• Special thanks to Rusty for recommending this story.

Where You Can Find Crystal Nights:

• This story was originally published in Interzone #215 (April 2008.)
• It was also published in 2009 by Subterranean Press in a collection entitled Crystal Nights and Other Stories.
• You can download a free PDF version of this story from TTA Press – you know, the people who publish Interzone Magazine.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked “Crystal Nights” then you’ll probably also enjoy Galactic Stress by David Levine.

Thanks to Justin for this awesome review! Be sure to check out my review of his story: Pirates of the Crimson Sands by Justin Macumber

If aliens ever came to capture humans it stands to reason that their information about us might be a little out of date, right? In this clever story a man uses his knowledge of classic TV shows and cartoons to escape from a dangerous situation!

Read Vindication online for free.

What if some of Jesus’s DNA was preserved and used to make clones? Those clones might be miraculous… or not. But I’m sure someone would be making a lot of money.

Read Away In An Incubator online for free.

Have a great weekend!

Aargh!

Talk Like A Pirate Day is still 7 months away, but I didn’t let that stop me from reading this fascinating story! Now I know I’ll be ready for it when it comes!

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Fifteen year old Shana has recently taken over as captain of the Cloudstrike – a position previously held by her father. Now, in one of her first major decisions, Shana decides to increase their reputation and go after the cargo on the Skulper. The question is will she command enough respect for her crew to follow… and enough know-how to be successful?

My Two Cents…

• Who doesn’t like pirates? It was fun reading about futuristic pirates and their sand-skimming ships – especially the battles!
• Although cap’n Shana was an interesting character, I wasn’t totally convinced that she had what it took to lead a band of rough pirates. Hmm… maybe I’m just skeptical of a young girl leading a bunch a mercenaries.
• While it was fun reading about the pirates, there was a bit too much pirate talk for me. Sure, Talk Like A Pirate day is fun, but the dialog got a little bit annoying in this story.

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Page Count: 8
• Word Count: 4,686
• Did you know that Justin Macumber runs a podcast which gives advice and support to other aspiring writers? Yep. You can learn more about this author on his web site.

Where You Can Find Pirates of the Crimson Sands:

• This story was first published in June 2009 on the eMuse web site – where you can still read it online for free.
• You can also read it on the Justin Macumber’s web site.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked “Pirates of the Crimson Sands” then you’ll probably enjoy The Menace from Earth by Robert Heinlein.

Mister Daniels is a “jack rabbit” – someone who spends nearly all of his time plugged in to virtual reality. So when he gets very lucky during one of his mandated breaks the question on everyones’ mind is “what will he do next?”

Read Jack Rabbit online for free.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was such a thing as aggressive tissue-regeneration shots? Maybe… unless you knew where they originally came from!

Read Beyond Pandora online for free.

Have a great weekend!

All Because of A Great Video Game

When I was a kid I used to play a video game called The Seven Cities of Gold on my trusty old Commodore 64 computer. Not only was it fun, but it really heightened my interest in the history of South and Central America. Little did I realize that many years later that game’s influence would lead me to read this interesting story.

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Ricardo de Avila served as a soldier in Coronado’s army, helping to search for the Cities of Gold. They never found them, but he stayed in the New World anyway, figuring he could still make a decent life for himself. Years later, working as a courier, he comes across an old friend from Coronado’s army, who invites him to experience the “true riches” of the land. When Ricardo investigates what that means he discovers something more horrible than he could ever imagine! The real question is: will he have the strength to do what is right?

My Two Cents…

• I absolutely loved the setting for this story! A good speculative fiction story set in the time of the conquistadors was brilliant!
• Although it is a bit of a classic story idea, the setting and characters here give it a very cool and unique twist.
• Ricardo de Avila was a great character. I very much enjoyed reading about his thoughts and feelings. A good guy through-and-through!

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Page Count: 25
• Word Count: 11,694
• Did you know that Carrie Vaughn is a graduate of the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop? Yep. You can learn more about this excellent author at her web site.
• If you like Ms. Vaughn’s style, be sure to check out her popular Werewolf DJ series: Kitty Norville.

Where You Can Find Conquistador de la Noche:

• This story was originally published in the Spring 2009 issue of Subterranean Press – where you can still read it online for free.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked “Conquistador de la Noche” then you’ll probably also enjoy Night Bird Soaring by T. L. Morganfield.

When statues of aliens wielding ray guns begin showing up around the globe, people and governments get nervous. After many years of non-excitement everyone calms down… that is until they notice something strange!

* Note: This story is very similar to Robert Charles Wilson’s novel The Chronoliths, but don’t take my word for it – see for yourself! *

Read Time On Our Side online for free.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could pick the kind of body you wanted? Especially if you could try it out beforehand… that is unless you misunderstood the contract!

Read Bodysurfing online for free.

Have a great weekend!

“Snow, Glass, Apples” is a 1994 short fantasy story by Neil Gaiman. It tells the all-too familiar fairy tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves from a fresh perspective – that of the Snow White’s stepmother.

Once Upon a Time…

…there was a beautiful woman, who was fortunate enough to win the love of a king. What she didn’t realize was that her new royal life will soon pit her against the king’s monstrous daughter.

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Events unfold in a flashback, with Snow White’s stepmother recounting her story, starting with her first meeting with the king. We learn a bit about her background, and her practice of magical arts is given some context. All the familiar elements from the original fairy-tale – the dwarves, the prince, the kiss – appear in the story, with a dark and disturbing twist.

My Two Cents

This is my favorite Gaiman story. As with all of Gaiman’s work, it demonstrates not only his deep knowledge of folklore and legends, but also his understanding of what makes them work. Today, the most familiar version of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” is probably the Disney feature; though this version actually had its share of darkness as well, it is mostly remembered for the cheerful singing dwarves who branded the fairy tale as some sort of “family entertainment” for generations to come. In “Snow, Glass, Apples”, Gaiman appears to go against this approach, but in fact takes the fairy-tale back to its original, darker roots. At its core, this is a horror story of best kind: the kind that makes its readers shiver whenever another terrible thing happens, and yet they just can’t stop reading it. The traditional beginning-middle-end story structure – somewhat atypical of Gaiman’s writing – provides the story with a solid narrative backbone that works well in both keeping the readers fascinated and preserving the fairy tale atmosphere.

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Word Count: 5035
• In Israel, where I live, the story was first published (translated to Hebrew) in The Tenth Dimension – the former magazine of the Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy. The issue in which the story appeared had an amazingly cool cover illustration by Avi Katz, later also used as the cover for the Hebrew edition of Gaiman’s anthology Smoke and Mirrors. You can see it here.

Where You Can Read It:

• It is included in Gaiman’s anthology Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions.
• It is also available at the blog The Dreaming, devoted to Gaiman’s works.

Thanks to Raz for this awesome review! Be sure to check out my review of his story: Happy Birthday, Niatti by Raz Greenberg