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2. Asimov's Mar/Apr 2022
The cover story, Rick Wilber's "Blimpies" made me want to read more set in that universe, which is possible because he's got more coming out. I did think there were a couple of places where the story could have had so much more kick with just a few edits. There was one chapter which started with the end and flashed back, which I thought just killed the suspense. Another chapter ended with a paragraph which if had been moved to the next chapter about that character would have preserved more suspense. I mean, really, as a reader you know how the story arc will probably work, but there still can be suspense in the details, in the how they get there. But overall the would was interesting and the story was a fun read.
This issue contained quite a few good stories with some nice variety. The punchy short "Offloaders" by Leah Cypess is a fun spin on a story told through what's not written. I liked Ray Nayler's question of what it is to be human, "Mender of Sparrows". I agree with the motivation behind "Jack McDevitt & Larry Wasserman's "The Gold Signal", but the story didn't really get there for me. Steve Rasnic Tem's "Do You Remmeber?" gives another perspective on uploading. It didn't go where I expected it to and that's a good thing.
Some in general it was a pretty good issue.
I'm noticing a fair number of stories which have same sex marriage as a background point, not pivotal to the story. Generally, I think this is a good indication of social progress (at least within the tiny slice of society which is science fiction writers and readers). It's one thing to have a same sex couple because it required for the plot or to make a point in the story. But I think having them just appear in stories because, "hello, they exist", is a step toward greater overall acceptance. However, I do feel obligated to point out, the majority of those same sex couples are female. So we may still have a ways to on the path to enlightenment.
The cover story, Rick Wilber's "Blimpies" made me want to read more set in that universe, which is possible because he's got more coming out. I did think there were a couple of places where the story could have had so much more kick with just a few edits. There was one chapter which started with the end and flashed back, which I thought just killed the suspense. Another chapter ended with a paragraph which if had been moved to the next chapter about that character would have preserved more suspense. I mean, really, as a reader you know how the story arc will probably work, but there still can be suspense in the details, in the how they get there. But overall the would was interesting and the story was a fun read.
This issue contained quite a few good stories with some nice variety. The punchy short "Offloaders" by Leah Cypess is a fun spin on a story told through what's not written. I liked Ray Nayler's question of what it is to be human, "Mender of Sparrows". I agree with the motivation behind "Jack McDevitt & Larry Wasserman's "The Gold Signal", but the story didn't really get there for me. Steve Rasnic Tem's "Do You Remmeber?" gives another perspective on uploading. It didn't go where I expected it to and that's a good thing.
Some in general it was a pretty good issue.
I'm noticing a fair number of stories which have same sex marriage as a background point, not pivotal to the story. Generally, I think this is a good indication of social progress (at least within the tiny slice of society which is science fiction writers and readers). It's one thing to have a same sex couple because it required for the plot or to make a point in the story. But I think having them just appear in stories because, "hello, they exist", is a step toward greater overall acceptance. However, I do feel obligated to point out, the majority of those same sex couples are female. So we may still have a ways to on the path to enlightenment.
