Megan Arkenberg. Like All Beautiful Places. (The End Has Come, 2015)
Arkenberg concludes her trio of stories with another look at the impact of an acid raid apocalypse – both on the city of San Francisco, and someone recently moved there.
Reviewing short SF since 2000
Arkenberg concludes her trio of stories with another look at the impact of an acid raid apocalypse – both on the city of San Francisco, and someone recently moved there.
Kress brings her trio of stories, and this trilogy/triptych to a satisfactory conclusion.
Sometimes I read a story and all the way through I feel I’ve missed something important, or need to be reading it from a slightly different perspective
As with many stories of this ilk, it’s fine enough, but I’d rather this story was the first third of a story, setting up two final thirds that really kick some ass.
An unlikeable protagonist goes on a journey to seek her son who has strayed – and a story that goes onto the Best SF Short Story Award 2015 shortlist.
Kerr’s approach to the ‘Apocalypse Triptych’ has been to write three stories linked by an asteroid impact, but each featuring different characters in different situations, and this story, a good one like the previous two, features a close analysis of the reaction of his characters to events.
Another good story from Stufflebeam providing a heart-warming tale of humanity, that doesn’t get anywhere near schmalzy or saccharine as it could.
Anders’ trio of stories have stood out from the others, with her tale of a near-future apocalypse as seen through some gonzo film makers not easily confused with the other stories in the volumes!
There’s a lot in this double issue, although the more substantial stories don’t quite do it for me.
A slightly different tone to the horrors of the rest of the volume (mind you, there is horror in the story, but more comic book).
Bear had a singleton story in the second of this three volume trilogy, and has another in this volume, which also features a determined, resourceful lead character.
Another (concluding?) installment in Steele’s ‘Arkwright’ series, which, like his ‘Coyote’ series, has left me unmoved.
Just a little too short to get engaged with the characters.
A clever use of tech by Wilde to look at the difficulties being faced by an journalist returning from being embedded on the frontline, with ghosts very much in the machine.
Another short, neat peek into the near-future urban life, technology and what it does to us from O’Connell.
The turning points of the story are fairly low key, mirroring the journey and emotional state of the protagonist.
Ford’s stories in the first two volumes were quirky steampunky stories, here, to slightly less effect, he focuses this story on the aftermath of Halley’s Comet in a basement, with an inventor trapped in the dark.
A disturbing story of a young woman, thwarted in her desires to be a man, who is admitted to the titular establishment.
A two-pages on, erm, how to masquerade as a human before the invasion.
Somewhat opaque and in need of the application of some literary Cif.
A strong narrative voice from the protagonist, in a story set in a bar against a backdrop of 20th century European history(ies).
Wasserman concludes one of the stronger stories in Adams’ ‘Apocalypse Triptych’.
Another good story from Napper in Interzone.
An answer to a Big Question is sought, but the answer isn’t what was hoped for.
Looks at the fanaticism necessary to carry out an act beyond the ken of most people – although we don’t really need to use fantasy to explore that issue these days!