Strange Horizons, August 21, 2017
Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf
Two starship pilots who have been wounded in battle and who return as heroes are the main characters in “Human Pilots” by J. B. Park. Each one is the only human being aboard her ship. All other systems are run by artificial intelligences who take on the form of humanoid robots. The story has little plot, and deals mostly with the pilots’ emotional reactions to being surrounded by adoring crowds. It might appeal to readers who prefer depth of characterization to story.
Victoria Silverwolf saw a total solar eclipse on the day this story was published.