Lightspeed“The Last Serving” by Lincoln Michel
“A Man Walks Into a Bar: In Which More Than Four Decades After My Father’s Reluctant Night of Darts on West 54th Street I Finally Understand What Needs to Be Done” by Scott Edelman
“Braid Me a Howling Tongue” by Maria Dong
“A Guide to Alien Terms Useful in the Human Diaspora” by Deborah L. Davitt
“The Narrative Implications of Your Untimely Death” by Isabel J. Kim
“Between the Stones and the Stars” by A.L. Goldfuss
“From the Largest Crater” by Jendayi Brooks-Flemister
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
There are seven newly published stories in Lightspeed’s 152nd issue, including one novelette and two flash stories. Overall this was an entertaining collection of tales.
“The Last Serving” by Lincoln Michel
Michel’s flash SF is set in the future, looking back on the events of 2079. Elena, a dedicated vegetarian, is a famous chef who cooks unique combinations of genetically modified vegetable dishes. Then she decides to branch out into the one area she has avoided, meat dishes. Her approach is both unique and highly controversial.
This nicely told story was well suited to the flash format and took an original approach to the story. It was a quick but excellent read.
“A Man Walks Into a Bar: In Which More Than Four Decades After My Father’s Reluctant Night of Darts on West 54th Street I Finally Understand What Needs to Be Done” by Scott Edelman
This short SF story takes place over four decades. Barney, a good man, has just finished playing team darts when a selfish New York real estate tycoon, you know the one, comes in to challenge him to a game. After Barney refuses, the tycoon offers ten-to-one odds. Finally, the good man gives in, telling the egocentric that if he loses, he owes Barney something in the future, so the rich man accepts the bet, signing a business card with the initials IOU.
The tycoon sees the game as simple. How could he lose? But he does lose. First, he loses one game, then the best two of three, and finally, the best three of five. Barney collects the business card and leaves. When the good man dies decades later, he leaves the unclaimed card with his son. Maybe Barney never believed the rich man would keep his promise; after all, he never does. After another decade, the son knows how to use that card in a way his father would appreciate.
In the beginning, the author’s story had so many asides it was hard to follow. But the story picks up the pace about halfway through. However, the speculative elements are small and only revealed at the end.
“Braid Me a Howling Tongue” by Maria Dong
In this fantasy novelette, she has no name at first because she has no tongue to say it. They cut it out when they captured the spell caster. Now she is in a commune of other young girls who speak a foreign language. She quickly learns the rules, works four days, and on the fifth-night, flees from the wolf-monster that always takes just one girl.
In time, the other girls name her No Do because she always does the wrong thing. In half a year, she has one friend and can understand what she says, though she can’t speak. In secret, she schemes with her friend to avoid the fifth-day monster.
Then the guards discover their secrets, and living becomes almost impossible for them both. But No Do has another plan. She just has to wait until the next fifth-night.
The story was an engrossing mystery told at a pace that held the reader’s attention from the opening paragraph until the last. This story alone, was worth the price of admission.
“A Guide to Alien Terms Useful in the Human Diaspora” by Deborah L. Davitt
Several alien terms are defined in this flash SF story. Words that represent important things to other cultures and that one can use to express oneself better in these alien places. A short usage sample provides help describing a terran’s feelings after years alone in space.
The author provided a slightly jovial treatment of space loneliness.
“The Narrative Implications of Your Untimely Death” by Isabel J. Kim
Jamie is indentured into a reality series in this short SF story set in the distant future. He ‘killed’ Rally, the main star, eight seasons ago to become the new darling of the viewers. After being killed sixteen times and resurrected each time, he desperately wants out. After all, he conspired with Rally to let him get out.
Then, after his most recent resurrection, he finds Rally waiting for him with the other actors. All his hopes of getting out evaporate at the sight of his friend. Jamie could wallow in the hopelessness, but instead, he and Rally start a new conspiracy. This time they’ll kill each other in a way they can’t be brought back.
This intriguing story moved at a good pace. The author left the reader to ponder Jamie’s fate at the end of the story. Usually, this type of omission would be frustrating, but in this case, it worked well.
“Between the Stones and the Stars” by A.L. Goldfuss
In this short fantasy, Tem seeks the Chalice that will give him enduring fame. After years of preparation and searching, he battles his way to the temple of the Chalice, only to find another warrior seeking the same prize. The night is upon them, so she suggests a truce so Tem can spend the night with her.
The author’s story snippet made for an engaging read.
“From the Largest Crater” by Jendayi Brooks-Flemister
They send Azelia on a mission down to climate-ravaged Earth in this short SF story. Most people live on the Moon now. Meanwhile, the heat and endless pandemics decimate those left behind on Earth.
Azelia’s partner can’t talk to her, but she can send a regular log. She hears Azelia has found a little girl in good health, prompting the authorities to believe she may have special immunity. The problem is that Azelia will need to stay with the girl until she is old enough to come to the Moon, so Azelia’s partner must wait as she sends her logs.
This plot dealt with a common theme through one-directional logs, which missed many essential details. In the end, the story was hard to believe and didn’t add much to the SF genre.
You can follow Kevin P Hallett’s writing on www.kevinphallett.com. There are links there to join his mailing list for a weekly newsletter on the recent release of his second novel, The Fifth Kingdom.