James Nicoll Reviews

The avant-garde of science fiction have landed in this space-age sequel to the World Fantasy Award-winner, The New Voices of Fantasy. Here are the rising stars of the last five years of science fiction, including newcomers as well as already lauded authors: Rebecca Roanhorse, Amal El-Mohtar, Alice Sola Kim, Sam J. Miller, E. Lily Yu, Rich Larson, Vina Jie-Min Prasad, Sarah Pinsker, Darcie Little Badger, S. Qiouyi Lu, Kelly Robson, and more. Their extraordinary stories have been hand-selected by cutting-edge author Hannu Rajaniemi ( The Quantum Thief ) and genre expert Jacob Weisman ( Invaders ).

Which of the following is true? 

• Peter Watts is banned from the U.S.
• Watts almost died from flesh-eating bacteria. 
• A schizophrenic man living in Watts’s backyard almost set his house on fire. 
• Watts was raised by Baptists who really sucked at giving presents. 
• Peter Watts said to read this book. Or else. 

“Watts, undoubtedly, is a genius.” ― Medium 

In more than fifty unpredictable essays and revenge fantasies, Peter Watts — Hugo Award-winning author, former marine biologist, and angry sentient tumor — is the savage dystopian optimist whom you can’t look away from. Even when you probably should. 

CONTENTS:

Prose –

THE MIDNIGHT HOST // Gregory Neil Harris – 6750 words

Koda and Donnie are two young city boys, hauled into the Virginia countryside by their grandma to meet distant relatives. When the brothers stray into forbidden tobacco fields, old evils arise to bind them to the land forever. 

RECLAIMING TESS // Brittany Smith – 6829 words

Despite years of enduring her grandmother’s disdain, Tess is growing into her own and earned the respect of the family’s enigmatic patron god in the process. But succeeding her grandmother as the wielder of his power may well tear her family apart.

CORIALIS // T.L. Huchu – 7019 words

On a moon teeming with unicellular life forms that may form an inchoate intelligence, a pioneer realizes that any lasting human settlement requires an offering on a level far deeper than anyone had imagined. 

AN IRRATIONAL LOVE // Marika Bailey – 15206 words

In a kingdom characterized by unbridled greed, realities converge in a cycle of shadow and gold. Will those held prisoner by avarice and darkness find their way free, or will they be chained there forever? 

Poetry –

Not an ordinary dream // Dike Okoro