Chisel and Chime, by Alex Irvine

[F&SF]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(High Fantasy) Melandra will die when she finishes her statue of the Imperator, but while she works, she learns a lot from the story her young guard tells her. (18,263 words; Time: 1h:00m)

According to F&SF this is the third story set in this universe, although the other two were over ten years ago. I don’t think it was necessary to read the other two to appreciate this one, but if you want to read them, they’re both collected in “Mare Ultima,” by Alexander C. Irvine. I liked the story well enough to order a copy.

The Legend of Wolfgang Robotkiller, by Alex Irvine

[F&SF]

★★★☆☆

(Robot Apocalypse) No one knows where the robots came from, but they wiped out civilization in a month, and no one could lay a finger on them. Except for one person. (4,869 words; Time: 16m)

Recommended By: 👍STomaino+1 (Q&A)

Isla Tiburón, by Alex Irvine

[Asimov's]

★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended

(Near-Future Dystopia) A team of company enforcers hunts terrorists who sabotaged a desalination plant. (3,934 words; Time: 13m)

The Atonement Path, by Alex Irvine

[Lightspeed]

★★★☆☆ Average

(SF Horror) A guide explains his world’s novel treatment for adolescent criminals. (2,681 words; Time: 08m)

Recommended By: SFRevu+1

Black Friday, by Alex Irvine

[Tor.com]

★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended

(Dystopia) Caleb Mug and his family participate in the annual Thanksgiving Weekend “Black Friday” Mall invasion. Only this invasion is televised, has sponsors, and involves real guns and real casualties. (5,333 words; Time: 17m)

Number Nine Moon, by Alex Irvine

Find this issue

(Competence SF) In the 2080s, Humanity is abandoning Mars, and Steuby and his companions think they can make money by looting the abandoned settlements at the last minute. (7,957 words; Time: 26m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average

Recommended By: GDozois:4 RHorton:4 NClarke JStrahan LTilton