The Time Invariance of Snow, by E. Lily Yu

[Single]

★★★☆☆

(Fairy Tale Pastiche) In which grown up Gerda and Kay from “The Snow Queen” get separated, and she goes after him again, finding that much has changed and yet a lot is just the same. (2,892 words; Time: 09m)

Before reading this story, you should read “The Snow Queen,” by Hans Christian Anderson—or at least read a synopsis. Otherwise you won’t get much out of it.

The Valley of Wounded Deer, by E. Lily Yu

[Lightspeed]

★★★☆☆

(Fairy Tale) In distant Ruyastan a single prince survives her mother’s efforts to hold power by slaying all descendants of her sons. (3,479 words; Time: 11m)

Presumably there’s no connection with the “Ruyastan” in David Romano’s 2015 piece “Morbid Fiction in the Middle East,” but it’s rather timely given that in his story, “Ruyastan” is a thinly disguised Turkey and the “native group” is the Kurds.

Three Variations on a Theme of Imperial Attire, by E. Lily Yu

[Anthology]

★★☆☆☆

(Fairy Tale) In which three stories based on the Emperor’s New Clothes explore modern politics. (3,544 words; Time: 11m)

The Doing and Undoing of Jacob E. Mwangi, by E. Lily Yu

[Asimov's]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(SFF) Guaranteed basic income has divided society into Doers and Don’ts. Jacob’s circle of Don’ts spends all their time playing video games, but their harmony is broken when one of them starts dating a doer. (3,680 words; Time: 12m)

The No-One Girl and the Flower of the Farther Shore, by E. Lily Yu

[Clarkesworld]

★★★☆☆ Average

(Chinese Fable) The no-one girl scratches out a bare living since her grandmother died. Everyone in the village ignores her, but she thinks a beautiful, rare flower she discovered will win her the prize at the annual mid-autumn festival. (2,866 words; Time: 09m)

The White-Throated Transmigrant, by E. Lily Yu

[Tor.com]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Dark Fantasy) Hiding from her own problems, Winona volunteers at the local ornithological museum after she hits a bird with her car. (3,555 words; Time: 11m)

Recommended By: RHorton+1

Darkout, by E. Lily Yu

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(Cyber SF) In a zero-privacy future, Brandon can't help watching his ex, even though he knows he needs a break. (5,345 words; Time: 17m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average

The Witch of Orion Waste and the Boy Knight, by E. Lily Yu

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(Fairy Tale) A young, newly minted witch meets an equally green knight, and they go off together in search of dragons. (5,714 words; Time: 19m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average

Recommended By: JStrahan Readers

Braid of Days and Wake of Nights, by E. Lily Yu

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(Urban Fantasy) Julia hunts for a mysterious white horse in Central Park, certain it must be a unicorn that can heal her friend who is dying of cancer. (6,480 words; Time: 21m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆, Average

Recommended By: SFRevu:4